Zanzibar, also known as the "Spice Island," has attracted seafarers and travelers for centuries. Just one and a half hours by boat from Dar es Salaam to the ancient port of Stone Town, Zanzibar''s countless kilometers of palm-fringed sandy beaches and turquoise waters are truly paradise. Swim with the dolphins, spend a night at the fish market in Stone Town, scuba dive at the coral reefs near Mnemba Island, go big game fishing off the coast of Mafia Island -- the Tanzanian coast has it all. Before wrapping up your trip on Zanzibar''s beaches, explore the rich northern coast of Tanzania. From Bagamoyo, the old German capital of Tanzania, to Tanga, Tanzania''s second largest sea port, to Pangani, a small fishing village with 6 kilometers of sandy beaches, to Stone Town, the home of the former Sultan, the coast of Tanzania is rich with culture and wonder. Below we present an itinerary for a full coastal tour, although you may pick and choose those aspects that look most appealing to you. Please contact us to plan your own personalized beach vacation.

Itinerary

Day 1: Tanga
Tanga, currently Tanzania''s third-largest city and second-largest seaport, is known for its wonderful seafood and Indian spices. Spend the afternoon on the beaches on the south side of town.

Day 2: Amboni Caves, travel to Pangani
Leave from Tanga in the morning by bike. Following the route used by local coconut traders ferrying their goods between the town and the villages, we will make out way to Amboni Caves. Located about 6km north of Tanga, Amboni caves are 237km2 in size, stretching all the way up to Mombasa, Kenya. Inside explore the magnificent limestone formations and learn the history of the caves as a refuge for the local tribe in times of war. Ride back to Tanga and drive to Pangani in the afternoon.

Day 3: Pangani
Pangani is a small fishing village located on the corner of the Indian Ocean and the Pangani River, the source of which is in the Usambara Mountains. Most of the nicer resorts are located about 3km north of the village, on a bluff overlooking the sandy beach and Indian Ocean. Spend a day relaxing at the resort and eating the local food prepared in coconut.

Day 4: Pangani to Bagamoyo
Leave Pangani in the morning for a trip down the coast to Bagamoyo. Located 75km north of Dar es Salaam, Bagamoyo is the former capital of German East Africa. Possessing a good, natural harbor ideal for sailing vessels and dhows, Bagamoyo was once the center of the slave trade. Explore ancient buildings such as the present police station, formerly prison from which prisoners were sold as slaves and ferried to dhows via underground tunnels. Spend the night in Bagamoyo.

Day 5: Bagamoyo to Zanzibar
Drive south to Dar es Salaam and arrive via ferry. Spend the night in Stone Town, enjoy Zanzibar''s unique cuisine and fresh seafood.

Day 6-8: Stone Town to the north coast
The north coast of Zanzibar, centered around the village of Nungwi, is Zanzibar most heralded beach destination. Kilometers of sandy white beaches and coral reefs, a perfect place to relax. If you are feeling adventurous, Mnemba Island is a wonderful day trip for scuba diving or snorkeling.

Day 9: Swim with the Dolphins
Leave the north coast and head south to swim with the dolphins. You will never forget the thrill of swimming with a dolphin on either side. Spend the night back in Stone Town.

Day 10: Spice Tour and back to the Mainland
Take a tour of the spice plantations on Zanzibar in the morning and finish in time to catch a ferry back to Dar es Salaam.

Day 11: Transport to Airport
Tin Tin Tours will drop you either at the airport in Dar es Salaam or make the journey back to Moshi to catch a plane from Kilimanjaro International Airport.