TYC is a relaxed spot for families and yachties to spend the day by the ocean, swimming, socializing, and enjoying spectacular sunsets where the inky blues meet pinks and yellows across the bay.

Facilities

Members have access to anchoring, fresh drinking water for filling tanks, excellent showers, bar, Wi-Fi, and on-site hand-laundry facilities. You can also use the club’s P.O. box for deliveries (see the contacts page for details).

The boatyard beneath the club offers a powered workshop area for maintenance, with a team available for larger projects. Moorings may be available by arrangement on arrival with Hassan Zinga. A pulley system serves as a secure dinghy dock.

Membership

TYC welcomes new members.

  • Temporary membership: Fill out a short form (address and passport details) and obtain two committee signatures. You’ll receive a bar account book with a unique number; top up by bank or at the bar and purchases are deducted from your balance.
  • Short-stay option: If you’re visiting briefly, you can choose a weekly arrangement and purchase drinks using coupons.

Opening Hours (Bar & Restaurant)

  • Monday–Thursday: 11:00 (ish)–14:30 (ish) and 17:30–22:00 (ish)
  • Friday–Sunday: open all day

(Times are approximate “club hours”; service may vary slightly.)

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Tanga Yacht Club was founded on 1st May 1944 when a number of local businessmen and government officials formed a limited company. The certificate of incorporation was issued by the registrar of companies in Dar es Salaam on 7th June 1944. Founder members of the club in that time were G. Tirant, A.R. Pain, R.C. Jerrard, W. Bain, A.A. Phibbs, P. Roach and D. McQueen, all of them, as usual in that time, males.

The first two stated objectives of the company were:

  • To promote boating, yachting and sailing at Tanga and the vicinity of Tanga.
  • For this purpose to acquire or take over the effect and liabilities of the present unincorporated club known as Tanga Yacht Club.

This unincorporated club consisted of a small number of local people one of whom was G.W. Hatchell, a magistrate, who became the clubs first commodore in 1941. But the club was really started before 1941 by Emil Hartmann, a local building contractor, who arrived in Tanga about 1936. As far as it is known, Emil Hartmann owned the first boat to be moored at the club, named “Lorraine” after his original home. Hartmann and Hatchell were friends and often went fishing together. He also wrote an article on fishing around Tanga, which was published in “Tanganyika Notes and Records” in 1954. Other members at that time were Eldred Hitchkock and Abdulla Karimjee, both of them were later knighted for their services to the country and the sisal industry. Alee le Maitre, also a member at that time, and G.W. Hatchell were awarded the OBE for similar services.

The club premises at that time consisted of a clearing carved from the cliff to the left of the present steps as one enters the club. A small club house was built on what is now the paved area. When the club was formed in 1944 many new members were attracted and more boats, both power and sail began to appear. As time went on and the club prospered and could afford it, the present structures were built up. The paved area was done by courtesy of Amboni Estates.

Sailing

A water color painting showing the club in 1949 was done by Mrs. A. Budge and is still hanging in the bar. The polished paneling behind the bar