Ultimate Guide to Top 9 Tanzania Beach Resorts (2025)
When you think of paradise, chances are your mind drifts to turquoise waters, powdery white sands, and a hammock swaying beneath palm trees. Well, Tanzania offers such a kind of escape through its resorts like Fundu Lagoon, Essque Zalu, Pongwe Beach, and Zanzibar Queen. Whether you’re after a five-star escape or a budget-friendly getaway, Zanzibar has unforgettable island getaways with a touch of Swahili soul.
Keep reading to find out the top 9 Tanzania Beach Resorts
Top 5 Luxury Tanzania Beach Resorts
1. Fundu Lagoon
- Island/Location: Pemba Island, Zanzibar Archipelago
Fundu Lagoon is a barefoot luxury hideaway perched on Pemba’s wild southwest coast. It is remote, romantic, and reachable only by boat. Think thatched tented suites elevated on wooden decks, open to the breeze, the ocean just steps away. It’s the kind of place where flip-flops are optional and privacy is a promise.
Food Experience
Dining at Fundu is both casual and exquisite. Expect seafood just hours out of the ocean, garden-fresh ingredients, and Swahili-inspired flavours. Dinners are often served under the stars or by lantern light on the jetty.
Activities to Enjoy
- Explore untouched coral gardens with the in-house PADI dive centre
- Snorkel over kaleidoscopic reefs
- Unwind with spa rituals set to the soundtrack of waves
- Join a dhow cruise to nearby mangrove coves
2. Essque Zalu Zanzibar
- Island/Location: Nungwi, North Zanzibar
A statement of style and sophistication, Essque Zalu blends sweeping sea views with Swahili design cues. Perched beside the deep blue of the northern coast, its suites and villas offer serenity with a splash of glamour, complete with infinity pools and handcrafted details.
Food Experience
Eat outside at The Jetty, where grilled lobster and coconut curries mingle with ocean breezes. From contemporary fusion to traditional Zanzibari plates, every meal is full of flavour and a joy to eat.
Activities to Enjoy
- Swim in the dramatic infinity pool with endless ocean views
- Explore the resort’s on-site art gallery
- Enjoy a traditional dhow sailing adventure
- Indulge in holistic spa treatments using local herbs
- Visit nearby turtle sanctuaries in Nungwi
3. Chumbe Island Coral Park
- Island/Location: Off the coast of Stone Town
If eco-travel tops your bucket list, Chumbe Island Coral Park is non-negotiable. A protected marine reserve and off-grid paradise, it features award-winning bungalows built for breeze and sustainability. With no crowds and no distractions, it’s a luxury that whispers, not shouts.
Food Experience
Enjoy delicious meals, soft drinks, and snacks served under a large, open-air roof at the visitor centre. Fortunately, you will be able to view the sea and the mainland while enjoying your meal. The island’s chefs cook a variety of cuisines, including Arabic, Indian, and African dishes. There are also delicious options for vegetarians.
Activities to Enjoy
- Snorkel in one of the world’s richest coral reefs
- Take guided forest walks to spot rare coconut crabs
- Join marine conservation workshops
- Climb the old lighthouse for panoramic views
4. The Residence Zanzibar
- Island/Location: Kizimkazi, South West Zanzibar
Imagine 80 acres of palm-dotted gardens, private villas with plunge pools, and a shoreline that stretches into a dreamy haze. This is The Residence. Elegant without being ostentatious, it combines luxury with coastal Swahili charm.
Food Experience
There are two main restaurants at The Residence. There’s one right by the common pool, with a great view of the beach. You will get buffet-style meals with a different theme each night. The other one is called The Pavilion, which is closer to the reception area and is popularly known for serving Mediterranean dishes from an à la carte menu.
Activities to Enjoy
- Swim with dolphins in Kizimkazi Bay
- Enjoy sunrise yoga in the tropical garden pavilion
- Cycle through local fishing villages
- Take a cooking class with local chefs
- Pamper yourself at the Clarins Spa
5. Zuri Zanzibar
- Island/Location: Kendwa, North-West Zanzibar
Looking for a social scene with a side of sunshine? Kendwa Rocks is a famous and lively beach, but it’s also great for low-key beach days and budget-conscious travellers. Its rooms range from simple to fancy, all steps away from the tide-free beach.
With its Afro-inspired interiors, hammocks by the sea, and spice garden paths, Zuri is where culture and comfort meet in one place. It’s also on one of Zanzibar’s rare beaches where tides don’t interfere with swimming. Perfect for sun lovers!
Food Experience
Choose from Swahili BBQ nights, sustainable vegan menus, and fusion feasts. Zuri’s restaurants and bars put flavour first without compromising their eco-friendly values.
Fresh seafood, fruity cocktails, and a menu that blends Swahili with international comfort food. Plus, it is served right on the sand.
Activities to Enjoy
- Join a spice-infused cooking workshop
- Catch open-air movies on the beach
- Take part in coral restoration efforts
- Chill in hammocks overlooking the ocean
- Jet ski or parasail off the coast
- Snorkel with local guides
- Take beach yoga classes
- Watch the sunset with your toes in the sand
Top 4 Budget-Friendly Tanzania Beach Resorts
6. Pongwe Beach Hotel
- Island/Location: Pongwe, East Coast, Zanzibar
Pongwe Beach Hotel is hidden in a quiet private cove, surrounded by palm trees and beautiful ocean views. It’s a peaceful and affordable place, great for honeymooners or anyone who wants a break from screens and busy life.
Food Experience
Menus change daily, often featuring grilled fish, local produce, and tropical desserts served in a breezy, open-air restaurant.
Activities to Enjoy
- Swim in the sea-facing infinity pool
- Explore tide pools during low tide
- Take a traditional boat trip along the coast
- Read or nap in a seaside hammock
- Learn to cook Zanzibari dishes
7. Coral Rock Hotel
- Island/Location: Jambiani, South-East Zanzibar
Built into an actual coral outcrop, this quirky, artistic hotel has personality in every corner. Coral Rock offers stunning sea views without breaking the bank.
Food Experience
The restaurant serves generous portions with Swahili flair, featuring grilled seafood, spiced rice, and fresh juices, all overlooking the tides.
Activities to Enjoy
- Kayak across the clear lagoon
- Tour the nearby seaweed farms
- Sketch the scenery from your balcony
- Cycle around Jambiani village
8. Zanzibar Queen Hotel
- Island/Location: Matemwe, North-East Zanzibar
A small hotel but full of charm, Zanzibar Queen mixes comfort and character. It’s a quiet, clean base for diving, snorkelling, and relaxed beach days.
Food Experience
You will have Buffet meals including tropical fruits, Swahili curries, and the freshest seafood. Plus, you can enjoy a beachfront candlelight dinner or a casual poolside lunch.
Activities to Enjoy
- Diving tours to Mnemba Atoll
- Massage and wellness sessions
- Sunrise photography on the beach
- Beach reading with local coconut drinks
- Join a Swahili language mini-class
9. Bahari View Lodge
- Island/Location: Jambiani, South-East Zanzibar
Did you know that this lodge gets its name from the ocean? That’s basically what Bahari means. Bahari View Lodge is a peaceful, eco-friendly place to stay. It has thatched bungalows with ocean views and a warm local feel. The nearby village adds to the calm, laid-back atmosphere.
Food Experience
Zanzibar Queen meals are homemade and filling. You can enjoy dishes like vegetable curry, chapati, and freshly grilled fish, all served in a relaxed setting where you can even dine with your feet in the sand.
Activities to Enjoy
- Sunrise walks along the quiet beach
- Learn Swahili cooking from the kitchen team
- Bike rentals for coastal exploration
- Evening bonfires and storytelling
- Drift off to sleep to the sound of waves
Final Thought
Getting a meaningful moment at Tanzania beach resorts is possible on your budget. Whether you’re finding a luxury escape or a budget-friendly beach hideaway, experiencing Tanzania’s paradise is simply inevitable.
You will get to engage in a variety of activities. Water activities like snorkelling and diving across clear lagoons are one experience you can’t miss, while land adventures such as cycling through fish villages and joining a local cooking class get you connected to the nature and culture of the land.
This paradise is here and waiting for you. Whether you’re coming with a special someone, on a solo retreat, or for a family vacation, Tanzania beach resorts welcome you with open arms.