Have visions of a vacation on an island? Perhaps you need a little sun, sand, and sea. Unwinding on a tropical beach is the best way to escape from it all. Tanzania offers options for travelers who like to visit Zanzibar, one of Africa’s must-see places, or who prefer to discover one of the less well-known island getaways. Here are a few of our top Tanzanian islands.

1. The island of Zanzibar

The Spice Island, also referred to as Zanzibar, has a romantic and enigmatic vibe. This historical tropical paradise, which was once dominated by Omani sultans, has a strong Swahili culture that is still very much alive today.

The Indian Ocean’s turquoise waters, palm-lined white sand beaches, and a superb selection of boutique hotels and luxury resorts are the essential components of an ideal beach vacation (or an extension of a Tanzanian safari). In such a beautiful setting, you might wish to spend your days relaxing and perhaps going diving or snorkeling on the reefs. But don’t forget to stop into Stone Town, which has a lot of old buildings and a classic Swahili feel.

2. The Island of Changuu

One of the most well-liked trips from Zanzibar is to Changuu Island, sometimes referred to as Prison Island. It takes roughly half an hour to get here from Stone Town on a dhow, a traditional sailboat. A colony of enormous Aldabra tortoises that are descended from four individuals who were brought in as a gift from the British governor of the Seychelles in 1919 is the major attraction.

These reptiles can reach more than 200 kg (440 lb) and some are over 100 years old. You can also unwind on the beach and swim in the pristine waters on a half-day excursion. The day trip frequently includes a seafood beach barbecue at Nakupenda Island, a long, thin sandbar that occasionally submerges during high tide.

3. The Island of Mafia

One of the best places to dive and snorkel in East Africa is Mafia Island, which is a part of the Mafia archipelago. The vast reefs, which are home to 400 kinds of vibrant fish and roughly 50 different types of coral, are protected by a marine park that spans 820 km² (317 mi²). Turtles are also frequently seen. Only a few upscale lodges serve this little-known location, which only receives a tiny number of guests. Away from the masses, Mafia is the ideal beach and seaside retreat.

4. The Island of Mnemba

One of Africa’s most romantic beach getaways is the small, secret island of Mnemba, which is only 2.5 km/1.5 mi northeast of Zanzibar. Twelve stylish yet rustic seaside bandas make up the accommodations on the private island, and a personal butler will attend to all of your needs.

Savor a quaint dhow (traditional sailboat) voyage into the sunset, a romantic dinner served on the beach while the waves lap at your feet, and a stroll along the cool, white coral sand. Explore the Mnemba Atoll’s underwater environment above all else. It is a marine reserve that is rich with marine life, including as turtles, dolphins, and big schools of tiny fish.

5. Island of Pemba

The Zanzibar archipelago’s second-largest island is Pemba. Pemba is a fantastic place for people who wish to escape from it all, even though it is far less developed for tourists than its well-known neighbor, Zanzibar Island. A few hotels and guesthouses serve largely adventurous tourists and scuba divers.

Hiking through Ngezi Forest Reserve, a 15km²/6mi² remnant of the island’s former native forest, is a must-do interior activity. The Pemba white-eye, sunbird, green pigeon, and scops owl—the four indigenous bird species that make Pemba famous—can be seen here. A colony of Pemba flying foxes, which are large fruit bats with a wingspan of up to 1.6 meters (5.2 feet), can also be found in the forest reserve.

6. Kisiwani Kilwa

There isn’t much tourism development along Tanzania’s south coast. That likely explains the lack of awareness and few visits to one of East Africa’s most significant historical sites. The most significant remnant of the Swahili trade, which controlled the coast from the Middle Ages until the Portuguese arrived in 1505, is the abandoned city of Kilwa Kisiwani. From Kilwa Masoko, you must take a boat over the 2 km/1 mi broad channel to reach this intriguing Unesco World Heritage Site. To really see the maze of abandoned mansions, historic tombs, and the Great Mosque’s spiritual center, go with a local guide.

7. Island of Chumbe

Chumbe, a small, uninhabited coral island close to Zanzibar, is a great destination for nature enthusiasts. Excellent diving and snorkeling may be found in the Chumbe coral reef, a protected sanctuary known for its coral richness. A walking track around the island on land, passing through pristine woodland, hidden beaches, and rockpools. Breeding pairs of the rare roseate tern are among the approximately 60 bird species that have been identified.

Aders’s duiker, a stealthy little antelope of coastal thicket, may also be visible to you. The enormous nocturnal coconut crabs, which emerge from coral fissures after nightfall, are even more fascinating. These quite frightening-looking, endangered animals can weigh up to 4 kg (9 lb). Although a day trip to the island is possible, it is strongly advised to spend the night at the environmentally conscious, zero-impact Chumbe Island Lodge.