Home Search by budget Destinations Beaches Interactive map Services Booking Collections Ratings VIP Club
Find flights Book transfer
Home / Beaches / Mkoani Beach

Mkoani Beach

Пляж Мкоани
Tanzania · Beach · Pemba Island
high
Best month: July

Best for

Ideal for diving, snorkelling and local culture enthusiasts. Not suitable for those seeking complete seclusion and silence.

Best month

July

Water
+27.0°C
Length
400 m
Mkoani Beach is the main port beach on Pemba's south coast. It features a lively atmosphere and scenic views, popular for walks and observing local life. Ferries to Zanzibar depart from here.
Surface
sand
Waves
calm
Entry
gentle
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
Mkoani Beach is the main port beach on Pemba's south coast. It features a lively atmosphere and scenic views, popular for walks and observing local life. Ferries to Zanzibar depart from here.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • White-sand beaches
  • Coral reefs
  • Excellent snorkelling and diving
  • Bustling market
  • Cultural festivals
  • Calm atmosphere

Cons

  • Port area
  • Port noise
  • Limited hotel options
  • No lifeguards
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for diving, snorkelling and local culture enthusiasts. Not suitable for those seeking complete seclusion and silence.
Features
What makes this beach unique
Mkoani is a port town on Pemba with a bustling spice and fabric market, and a starting point for diving expeditions to the Pemba Channel reefs.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
white
Sand Texture
Grain size
fine
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
gentle
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
sand
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
not needed
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
400 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
turquoise
Water Clarity
high
Average Water Temp
+27.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+30.0 °C
Wave Type
calm
Wave Height
0.3 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
June
Season end
October
Best month
July
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
low
Water Quality
Water purity rating
excellent
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
low
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
none
Crime Level
Overall safety level
safe
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
2.0 km
What exactly is dangerous
No serious threats.
Dangerous creatures
sea urchins
Insurance & Connectivity
Get travel insurance and mobile internet before your trip
Travel insurance
EKTA — international coverage
Get insured
Visitor insurance
VisitorsCoverage — for travelers
Get insured
Flight compensation
AirHelp — claim for delayed flights
Claim
Flight compensation
Compensair — EU flight claims
Claim
eSIM for travel
Airalo — mobile internet worldwide
Connect
eSIM without roaming
Yesim — 190+ countries
Connect
eSIM for travelers
Saily — affordable data abroad
Connect
Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
Yes
Umbrellas
Yes
Showers
Yes
Toilets
Yes
Changing Rooms
Yes
Lifeguards
No
First Aid
Yes
Parking
Yes
Wi-Fi
Yes
Kids Playground
No
Sports Ground
No
Restaurants Nearby
2 pcs
Best restaurants

Bahari Restaurant

Local

Restaurant with local cuisine and fresh seafood

Lala Lodge Restaurant

Local

Lodge restaurant with ocean view

Nearby cuisines

Local

Tanzanian cuisine with seafood and spices

Must try: Fresh fish, prawns, coconut rice
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
calm
Crowd Level
moderate
Silence Level
moderate
Sunset Quality
beautiful
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
Yes
Natural Shade
moderate
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
Yes
Diving
Yes
Surfing
No
Kayaking / SUP
No
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Water Towel Swimsuit Water shoes Cash First aid kit
Best Time to Swim
In the morning the water is calmer and there are fewer people. The dry season from June to October is the best time for a beach holiday.
Local Rules
Leaving rubbish is prohibited. Respect local culture and traditions.
Getting there & Car rental
Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
Flights
Find the best flight deals
Find flights
Airport transfer
Meet & greet, fixed price, 24/7
Book transfer
International transfer
GetTransfer — worldwide transfers
Book
Transfers worldwide
intui.travel — group & private
Book
Car rental
DiscoverCars — rent worldwide
Rent a car
Car rental
QEEQ — compare rental prices
Rent a car
Car rental
GetRentacar — 100+ countries
Rent a car
Car rental
Economybookings — low-cost rental
Rent a car
Car rental in Europe
AutoEurope — EU & UK
Rent a car
Bikes & scooters
BikesBooking — rent motorbikes
Rent
Local car rental
Localrent — direct from local providers
Rent a car
Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Mkoani Market

Bustling market for spices, kanga fabrics and wood carvings

Pemba Channel Reefs

Coral reefs with rich marine life for diving

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Mkoani Beach: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — turquoise, clarity high, average temperature +27.0°C, warms up to +30.0°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Mkoani Beach: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — calm. Average wave height — 0.3 m. Calm water is great for families with children and those who prefer not to deal with strong swell.
Mkoani Beach: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — gentle. Bottom — sand. Special shoes are not required — the water entry is comfortable. The gentle slope is safe for children and inexperienced swimmers.
Mkoani Beach: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — white. Texture — fine. Beach length — 400 metres.
Mkoani Beach: when is the swimming season?
The swimming season starts in June. It ends in October. The best month for a holiday is July. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
Mkoani Beach: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as excellent. Rip currents are unlikely. Jellyfish risk — low. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Mkoani Beach: which dangerous creatures live in the water?
The water contains: sea urchins. We recommend wearing protective footwear, not touching marine life and taking care when entering the water.
Mkoani Beach: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, toilets, changing rooms, parking, Wi-Fi. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Mkoani Beach: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
There are no lifeguards on the beach — be especially careful when swimming. A first aid station is available.
Mkoani Beach: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Bahari Restaurant, Lala Lodge Restaurant. Cuisines available: Local. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Mkoani Beach: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Towel, Swimsuit, Water shoes, Cash, First aid kit.
Mkoani Beach: when is the best time to swim?
In the morning the water is calmer and there are fewer people. The dry season from June to October is the best time for a beach holiday.
Mkoani Beach: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Leaving rubbish is prohibited. Respect local culture and traditions.
Mkoani Beach: what activities are available?
The beach offers: snorkelling, diving. See the "Activities" section above for details.
Mkoani Beach: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for diving, snorkelling and local culture enthusiasts. Not suitable for those seeking complete seclusion and silence.
Mkoani Beach: what makes this beach unique?
Mkoani is a port town on Pemba with a bustling spice and fabric market, and a starting point for diving expeditions to the Pemba Channel reefs.
Mkoani Beach: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: White-sand beaches, Coral reefs, Excellent snorkelling and diving, Bustling market, Cultural festivals, Calm atmosphere. Cons: Port area, Port noise, Limited hotel options, No lifeguards.
Mkoani Beach: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Mkoani Market, Pemba Channel Reefs. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Mkoani Beach: how do I get to the city of Pemba Island?
The beach is located near the city of Pemba Island. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for Pemba Island.

City

Pemba Island

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.