East Africa is home to some of the most stunning tourist locations in the world. Travellers can visit bustling cities, historic towns, serene beaches, and lush green forests! For tourists who wish to have an enjoyable and unforgettable beach trip, East Africa offers beautiful and pristine locations with soft white sands, vivid greenery, crystalline waters, clear skies, and stunning marine life. Here are the top 5 beach destinations in East Africa that every travel lover must visit!

1. Zanzibar

The breathtaking Zanzibar archipelago is home to a number of beaches and islands where tourists can enjoy tranquillity and privacy. At Paje Beach, they can enjoy fun-filled activities such as kayaking, kitesurfing, kiteboarding, and snorkelling! Nungwi Beach is an excellent location for water sports such as Stand-up Paddle boarding, Jet-Skiing, Parasailing, and Windsurfing! Tourists can stay at boutique hotels such as the Zanzibari and enjoy a relaxing spa holiday. At Kendwa beach, one can attend a full moon party, where tourists can interact with local acrobats, dancers, singers, and fire-eaters, and meet people from all around the world while they party at the beach! Kizimkazi beach is a must-see location as tourists can enjoy the unique and extraordinary experience of swimming with dolphins! Similarly, they can go to Kiwengwa beach for an awesome fishing or jet skiing experience.

2. Pemba Island

Pemba Island is a heavenly location in East Africa where tourists can find lush green vegetation and stunning biodiversity. The breathtaking island is home to corals, manta rays, sea turtles, pigeons, crowned hornbills, malachite kingfishers, Pemba vervet monkeys, the Pemba Flying Fox (a fruit bat), owls, palm nut vultures, red colobus monkeys, miniature antelopes, and violet breasted sunbirds. Travelers can go to the 13th and 14th century Ras Mkumbuu ruins where they can visit the old chief’s house, and find several elaborate graves. Vumawimbi Beach is an untouched stretch of white sand, which has crystalline waters and sweet smelling air. Tourists can enjoy the privacy and tranquility of this extraordinary and isolated beach.

3. Mafia Island

One of the most captivating islands in Tanzania, Mafia island is home to a protected coral reef, Mafia Island Marine Park, and a gorgeous beach filled with crystall clear water, and vivid greenery. The island is home to breathtaking diversity as 460 species of fish and 5 species of turtles can be found here! Tourists can enjoy exciting activities such as swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, fishing, windsurfing, whale watching, cultural tours, boat rides, birdwatching, and scuba diving! At the Marine Park, tourists can find stunning marine life including colorful coral reefs, angelfish, moray eels, lionfish, whale sharks, humpback whales, turtles, seahorses, frogfish, reef sharks, napoleons, groupers, parrotfish, nudibranches, and barracuda!

4. Lamu Island

Lamu Island in Kenya is a bucket list location for travel lovers. Tourists can explore the winding streets of the historic town, relax on the sandy beach, or enjoy the mouth watering local cuisine. Tourists can visit the historic Lamu Fort, which dates back to 1830, and learn about the region’s rich history and heritage. They can also visit the Ruined City of Takwa, where they can explore the coral stone ruins that are the remains of settlements from the 17th century. Tourists can also visit Shela, a stunning nearby fishing village where they can enjoy the scenic view of the pristine ocean, and explore the beautiful local marketplace!

5. Malindi

The gorgeous town of Malindi offers the best beach vacation in East Africa and Kenya. Tourists can enjoy the spectacular views, ride a glass bottomed boat that provides a unique view of the sea, and relax in the serenity and tranquility. At Malindi Marine National Park, they can enjoy scuba diving or snorkelling and finding marine animals such as Mako sharks, whale sharks, and green turtles! Travel lovers can also visit the Crocodile Farm and Snake Park where they can interact with the vicious animals! Malindi is a unique and fun filled place that every traveler must visit.