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Tanzania · Africa · Beach City

Dar es Salaam
Tanzania

DAR airport · 30 min drive · 20 mi
Low crowdsBeachAll levels~$60/dayVisa required

Dar es Salaam is East Africa's largest city and an emerging surf destination with a small but growing local surf scene taking advantage of Indian Ocean swells along its urban coastline. The city serves as a gateway to the broader East Africa surf region and is increasingly attracting adventurous surfers drawn to Africa's largely uncharted east coast waves.

Best months
Year-round
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Water temp
86°F
April average
Swell consistency
Low
April
Daily budget
~$60
Lodging + food
Crowd level
Low
April

Conditions by month

Jan
87°F
Low
Feb
87°F
Low
Mar
88°F
Low
Apr
86°F
Low
May
83°F
Low
Jun
83°F
Low
Jul
81°F
Low
Aug
80°F
Low
Sep
80°F
Low
Oct
82°F
Low
Nov
84°F
Low
Dec
86°F
Low
Peak season
Great conditions
Shoulder / off season
Crowd: Low · Med · Hi

Featured breaks

Swell data reflects offshore ocean conditions. Hover any Local Coastal Regional badge for details.

Oyster Bay Dar
Local
Beginner+

Upscale Dar es Salaam beach; very gentle waves in protected bay; minimal surf

The main surf spot accessible from Dar es Salaam, an east-facing beach and reef break in the upscale Oyster Bay area that offers consistent if modest Indian Ocean surf and serves as the hub of Tanzania's small but growing local surf scene. A pioneering and historically significant surf location in the context of East African surf development and an extraordinary cultural experience for surfers interested in the frontier of global surf exploration.

Solid
Avg swell
1.9 ft
Knee to waist high
Period
6.1 sec
Short & choppy
WindCross-shore
Cross-shore — check swell direction
Swell by month — click any month for details
Jan
2.6ft
Feb
2.3ft
Mar
1.8ft
Apr
1.9ft
May
4.2ft
Jun
2.9ft
Jul
1.8ft
Aug
0.9ft
Sep
2.8ft
Oct
1ft
Nov
1.2ft
Dec
1.9ft
Advanced
Intermediate
Beginner
Low energy
Click for details
Bongoyo Island
Regional
Beginner+

Marine reserve island; ferry access; gentle waves; more snorkeling than surfing

A beautiful and relatively accessible east-facing reef break on a small island just offshore from Dar es Salaam reached by short boat trip that offers better quality and more powerful waves than the mainland beaches in an extraordinary tropical island setting. One of East Africa's more promising and consistent surf locations that rewards the short boat journey with quality Indian Ocean reef break surfing and pristine natural surroundings.

Solid
Avg swell
1.9 ft
Knee to waist high
Period
6.1 sec
Short & choppy
WindCross-shore
Cross-shore — check swell direction
Swell by month — click any month for details
Jan
2.6ft
Feb
2.3ft
Mar
1.8ft
Apr
1.9ft
May
4.2ft
Jun
2.9ft
Jul
1.8ft
Aug
0.9ft
Sep
2.8ft
Oct
1ft
Nov
1.2ft
Dec
1.9ft
Advanced
Intermediate
Beginner
Low energy
Click for details
White Sands Beach
Regional
Beginner+

Most accessible surf/swim beach in Dar; very gentle swell; beginner friendly

A pristine and relatively sheltered east-facing beach break south of the main Dar es Salaam urban area that offers gentle and beginner-friendly surf in a beautiful and relatively undeveloped setting. One of the most accessible and welcoming surf environments available near Dar es Salaam and a great starting point for exploring Tanzania's remarkable and virtually undiscovered surf potential.

Solid
Avg swell
1.9 ft
Knee to waist high
Period
6.1 sec
Short & choppy
WindCross-shore
Cross-shore — check swell direction
Swell by month — click any month for details
Jan
2.6ft
Feb
2.3ft
Mar
1.8ft
Apr
1.9ft
May
4.2ft
Jun
2.9ft
Jul
1.8ft
Aug
0.9ft
Sep
2.8ft
Oct
1ft
Nov
1.2ft
Dec
1.9ft
Advanced
Intermediate
Beginner
Low energy
Click for details

Trip details

Surf
Water temp86°F
WetsuitBoardshorts / Rashguard
Break typeBeach
Skill levelAll levels
Cost
Lodging + food~$60/day
Car rental~$35/day
Conditions
Air temp76°F
SeasonFall
Crowd levelLow
Town vibeBeach City
Entry
Visa requiredYes
Tourist cardNo
Entry fee$50
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