7 Best Tanzania Islands to Visit

Zanzibar stands out as one of Tanzania's premier island destinations. This semi-autonomous region will enchant you with its unique blend of cultural riches and natural splendor. Be transported back in time while wandering the winding alleys and sultan's palace of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy the powder-soft beaches as you lounge in paradise. Adventure into brilliant underwater worlds on guided dives to vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life.

From a spice tour allowing you to inhale the intoxicating aromas of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the island's melting pot of African, Arab, Indian, and European influences that create a tantalizing fusion of cuisine sure to delight any foodie, Zanzibar is an exciting combination of culture, turquoise waters, and endless possibilities.

Highlights: Stone Town • Nungwi Beach • Mnemba Atoll • Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park • Spice plantation tour

An enchanting sanctuary, Changuu Island will charm you with its blend of cultural heritage and natural wonders. Immerse yourself in its captivating history as a former prison isle. Stroll powdery-soft sands fringed by turquoise waters, and explore the kaleidoscopic marine life during a private snorkeling adventure.

When visiting Changuu Island, you can encounter Aldabra tortoises, gentle giants that roam freely along the sands or swim through coral gardens as you explore crumbling prison ruins steeped in lore. The island offers an exhilarating combination of experiences in which you can lose yourself in nature and history.

Highlights: Historic prison ruins • Giant Aldabra Tortoise Sanctuary • Snorkeling

Mafia Island is an untamed paradise that can quickly seduce you with its raw natural beauty and storied past. Immerse yourself in the island's intrigue as a former Arabic trading post and find a hidden gem promising adventures connected to soft white-sand beaches, lush mangrove forests, and an underwater world of rainbow colors in the marine park.

Snorkel Chole Bay's turquoise wonderland or dive amongst vibrant coral alive with life. Explore crumbling ruins that whisper of Mafia's rich heritage as you discover where pristine nature and captivating history intertwine.

Highlights: Chole Bay • Mafia Island Marine Park • Snorkeling coral gardens •  Ras Mkumbi ancient ruins • Traditional boatbuilding

Mnemba Island is an exclusive pearl in the Indian Ocean that will captivate you with its pristine natural splendor and unparalleled luxury. The private island seduces discerning travelers craving seclusion amidst unspoiled surroundings.

Be immersed in a marine conservation paradise flaunting vibrant coral and shimmering marine life. Bask in the exclusive ambiance of guided snorkeling and diving expeditions unveiling Mnemba's brilliant underwater worlds. Embrace the feeling of blending refined elegance with ecological splendor by discovering the beauty of raw nature.

Highlights: Nesting green turtles • Secluded beaches • World-class snorkeling • Scuba-diving opportunities

A lush refuge cloaked in Swahili charm, Pemba Island is a discovery of untamed beauty and cultural wealth. The archipelago can capture your heart and mind by immersing you in pristine landscapes of towering emerald peaks, hidden coves, and forests echoing with life.

Dive into the island's vibrant Pemba Channel or wander ancient stone villages frozen in time. Search for meandering butterflies and blue duiker in Ngezi Forest Reserve or trace back to the sixth century the ancient heritage of Chake Chake’s architecture.

Highlights: Scuba dive Pemba Channel • Ngezi Forest Reserve • Historic Chake Chake

Kilwa Kisiwani is a UNESCO treasure that beckons history enthusiasts with its remarkably preserved Swahili ruins. Wander the haunting Great Mosque and imposing Husuni Kubwa palace creating portals to an era when this island reigned as a prosperous Arabian trade empire.

Delve into ancient port towns frozen in time as expert guides share epic stories. Surrender to Kilwa's enticing ambiance as you find echoes of maritime glory lingering amid turquoise ocean views.

Highlights: Great Mosque • Husuni Kubwa • Gereza Fort • Makutani Palace • Indian Ocean views

Chumbe is an island sanctuary where nature's magnificence remains pristinely preserved. The breathtaking coral atoll guards Zanzibar's emerald shores. As an eco-pioneer, you can find the island protected by Coral Park, an underwater Eden flaunting colorful reefs and brimming with active marine life.

Chumbe is paradise reclaimed for those yearning to escape the over-trodden path and reunite with nature's purest luxuries. Explore lush forest trails home to rare wildlife or cherish sustainable indulgences, from snorkeling untouched coral gardens to disconnecting amid unspoiled tropical foliage.

Highlights: Chumbe Reef Sanctuary • Historic lighthouse • Snorkeling • Nature trails

With a mesmerizing blend of pristine natural wonders and captivating cultural legacies, Tanzania's idyllic islands beckon with a quintessential tropical escape for any type of traveler. From dramatic baobabs rising amid virgin beachfronts to hidden underwater realms witnessed on diving expeditions, secluded coastal havens to storied Stone Town labyrinths, each island promises endless memories.

Whether dreaming of Zanzibar's fabled spice-scented shores or feeling the pull of Mafia's wild, untamed beauty, you can find more ideas for your trip with our Tanzania safaris and vacations. Uncover more archetypal paradises in our amazing African safari and beach holidays or learn more about what you can see and do on your trip with our Tanzania safari guide.