Dar es Salaam Marine Reserve

The Dar es Salaam Marine Reserve protects nine uninhabited islands with coral reefs, mangrove forests, and seagrass meadows along Tanzania's eastern coast. The system spans multiple islands, each supporting different marine habitats and coastal vegetation.

Marine protection began in 1970 with the Fisheries Act and became more formal through the 1998 Marine Parks and Reserves Act. These laws established the framework for safeguarding coastal ecosystems.

The islands remain important to nearby fishing communities who continue their time-honored practices in designated areas. These traditions shape daily life in the coastal villages that border the reserve.

Regular boat services from Msasani Peninsula provide access to the islands, especially to popular destinations like Bongoyo Island. Crossings work with different time schedules, allowing visitors to explore individual islands.

Bongoyo Island harbors some of Tanzania's largest coconut crabs in their natural habitats. These unusual crustaceans often surprise visitors and demonstrate the reserve's ecological distinctiveness.