when in you are in dar es salaam, tanzania you'll probably end up on the peninsula where most expats live. oyster bay is of one of the main roads in the area and everyone knows it. you can park right at the beach. just watch out for glass in the sand
go in the morning because the wind tends to spin around after noon but in the morning its always offshore winds and glassy surf. at low tide you have to walk out over the reef (sandy and rocky) which isn't a problem except for the sea urchins but you'll get used to them. at low tide the wave is hollow, short, and tends to go left, and can't handle waves larger than 8ft before it starts closing out. at high tide it needs at least 4ft to start working. the waves will go both left and right and become a lot longer but not hollow enough to catch barrels.
Overview
Atmosphere
the atmosphere is excellent. there are only about 10-12 surfer (all expats) in tanzania so people are very welcoming in the water. people are talkative in the water. just ask about the other spots (mostly accessably only by boat or you have climb of a cliff) they'll tell you where to go, how to get there, or they'll take you themselves. let the people know you are there and they'll keep make sure you are ok. most people have boats and will take you out to the more remote spots. just don't drop in on anyone because there aren't enough people to catch even half of the waves out there so its completely useless to do so.
General
this spot is perfect. its easy to get out. quality waves. no crowd. i'll upload some pics soon.
Surf condition in Dar
I am living in Dar almost 2 years and surf at Oyster Bay evry weekend. Here is the real surf condition of Oyster bay. Rock-sand mixed/reef bottom. Left and right in high tide, left in low tide. Morning is the best time to surf. Winds gets strog after 11 am during best surf season(Jun-Oct).
Between June and October, size is vary but you can surf almost every day, Water temp is cool. Between December to January, some time you can get good swell due to Tropical storm. Water temp is warm but rainy. Between February to May, you can catch very small waves during low tide. long board is good for Oyster bay. No surf board rental around here so you need to bring your gears.
comment by markvasquez@pacbell.net, 2007-05-05 23:39:16
surf on zanzibar
hello. we are going to zanzibar and i want to know if there is surf there. also, can you rent boards on the island or do i have to bring one. thanks, mark
comment by BC, 2006-02-17 17:37:15
What's the real story
Will be moving to Dar soon. Didn't think there would be many waves, but now I have found this site. Very mixed reviews some say regular waves others say nothing.Anybody that is currently in Dar and surfing there at the moment ? Any waves of recent? Where? Oyster or seacliff ? Another question any kitesurfers over there, cannot find any information of kiting in DAR
comment by , 2007-09-18 03:26:49