SINDA ISLAND MARINE RESERVE
This reserve is found in the Southern Coast of Dar es Salaam (Kigamboni). Inner and Outer Sinda Islands Marine Reserve was about 288.7 Hectares, Inner and Outer Sinda Islands cover an area of 23.31 and 23.96 Hectares, respectively. Sinda Islands coastlines include rocky cliffs and sandy beaches
In Sinda, the maximum depth is less than 10 m. Seawards of the reserves, the deep water (> 50 m) is just 1.8 km and 3.2 km away from Outer Sinda and Outer Makatumbe Islands, respectively. Proximity to deep waters makes the seaward sides of the reserves prone to high tidal currents and waves, especially during spring tides. The seawards sides of all reserves can be described as high energy areas (ie. high wave impact areas) and are characterised by rock cliffs .
Interesting sandy beaches are found on the north and south of Inner Sinda Island and on landward of Sinda Island. Beaches on the Outer Sinda are located relatively in the middle of intertidal zones, hence are far from beautiful swimming sports. They can however, be useful for resting and other land based tourist activities, daytime lunch facilities.The south Inner Sinda beach has the best morphology for tourism related activities: The beach is larger and adjacent to the beach there is a flat land area.
Additionally, there is also a large beach on the north of Inner Sinda . The combination of beaches, land vegetation and good coral reefs make this place suitable for combined land-sea eco-tourism.
What makes this tour unique?
The dhow trip starts around 09:00 am at Kipepeo Beach and returns to Kipepeo around 04.00 pm. The boat used is a traditional dhow. We head to Sinda Island Marine Reserve, where guests walk around the island and go snorkelling. It is a very relaxed trip greatly enjoyed by tourists. After snorkelling, lunch is served on a deserted beach on the island. After the trip you will be transferred back by dhow.
The clear offshore waters are home to a vast array of colourful starfish, tropical fish and coral reefs providing excellent snorkelling. Pods of dolphins often accompany the dhow on its voyage to the islands.