Information
Landmark: Mbudya IslandCity: Dar es Salaam
Country: Tanzania
Continent: Africa
Mbudya Island, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Africa
Overview
Just off the coast of Dar es Salaam, Mbudya Island waits-an uninhabited stretch of white sand and turquoise water that feels like your own private paradise.Part of the Dar es Salaam Marine Reserve, it draws day-trippers with its white sand that warms underfoot, glassy blue water, and first-rate snorkeling.Tucked far from the city’s noise, this quiet island invites you to swim in clear blue water, linger over fresh grilled fish, and simply breathe.Mbudya Island sits about 6 km north of Dar es Salaam and can only be reached by boat-usually a 15–30 minute ride from Whitesands Beach, Slipway, or Kunduchi Beach.Entry costs around $20 for foreign visitors (including the Marine Park fee) and about $2–$5 for Tanzanian citizens.It’s perfect for lazy hours on the sand, snorkeling in clear water, and eating just-caught seafood grilled on the shore.A round-trip ticket costs about TZS 20,000 to 40,000 ($8–$16) per person-roughly the price of a couple of hot street-side samosas.On Mbudya Island, stretch out on soft white sand, listening to the gentle splash of turquoise waves-an ideal spot for sunbathing or a refreshing swim.You can rent thatched bandas, cool little huts that offer welcome shade and a cozy spot to unwind.In the clear waters nearby, you can snorkel above bright coral reefs teeming with life-tropical fish flashing by, sea turtles gliding past, and starfish resting on the sandy floor.You can rent snorkeling gear from local operators, right down to the fog-free masks they keep rinsed and ready.Local vendors grill lobster, prawns, and fish so fresh you can smell the ocean, then serve them with classic Tanzanian sides right by the beach.You can order your food when you arrive, and the cooks will whip it up fresh right there on the beach, with the scent of grilled fish drifting through the salt air.The island has narrow trails that wind past coconut palms and tangled mangroves, where you might spot a flash of blue from a kingfisher or the slow glide of a heron.Bring a volleyball, toss a frisbee, or pack a picnic basket, and you’ve got the makings of a relaxed day on the sand with the sound of waves in the background.With its quiet beaches and gentle ocean breeze, the island’s calm setting is ideal for a weekend with friends or a romantic escape.The best time to visit Mbudya Island is in the dry season-June to October or December to February-when skies are clear and the water’s perfect for snorkeling; the rainy months from March to May bring fewer crowds but choppier seas.Pack sunscreen, a wide-brim hat, a swimsuit, towel, optional snorkeling gear, a camera, and cash for food or the boat fare.Come for its quiet beaches, glassy turquoise shallows over bright coral, fresh seafood grilled right on the sand, and prices that make it a laid‑back alternative to Zanzibar.
