Best time to visit Zanzibar

Best time to visit Zanzibar : When planning your trip to Zanzibar Island and East Africa at large, timing is important as there are different seasons which greatly impact pricing, availability and activities planned for your holiday. Knowing the best time Zanzibar is important.

Zanzibar Island is a stunning island and a self-governing state in Tanzania situated about 57 miles from Dar es Salaam, the island is renowned for attracting honeymooners from all over the world for a relaxation holiday on its breathtaking beautiful beaches with white sandy shores and turquoise waters.

Zanzibar attracts visitors from all over the world for a relaxation and beach holiday on the incredible white sand beaches and enjoy quality downtime at the numerous luxury beach resort by the Indian Ocean.

Often, a beach holiday on Zanzibar Island is combined with a Tanzania safari trip to Tanzania wildlife destinations such as Serengeti national park to marvel at the millions of animals and the great wildebeest migration as herds look for water and food.

Below are the details you need to know about the best time to visit Zanzibar 

Best time to go to Zanzibar: Months and seasons

The best time to visit Zanzibar Island / archipelago is during the dry season from July to September which is a very popular time to travel. However Zanzibar can be visited all year round as it receives balmy temperatures between 28°C and 34°C with sunshine being the norm.

Generally, Tanzania is a popular safari destination with wildlife safari to Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti national park and other national parks. These safaris are combined with beach vacations to Zanzibar Beach, guests planning to have both a wildlife safari and beach safari should book in advance as prices can increase significantly during summer time which is a peak season.

Travelers getting to Zanzibar can fly to the Island via the Island’s main airport Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ), the airport is located approximately 3.1 miles south of The Stone Town – the capital of the Island. Also tourists need to have a Zanzibar Visa and certain vaccinations may be required to enter the country.

Weather and climate in Zanzibar

Seasons in Zanzibar

Zanzibar is a heaven on earth with turquoise waters, green landscapes, colorful boats and white sandy beaches. The island is located south of the Equator with seasons that are opposite to those of U.S and European which most visitors  are accustomed to in the northern hemisphere.

The climate in Zanzibar is tropical and hot all year round, with 2 rainy seasons that are the more intense known as the long rain season from March to May with the peak in April and the less intense season known as the short rains season between mid- October and December.

Temperatures in Zanzibar

The warmest period in Zanzibar’s Stone Town – the old part of Zanzibar City and the main city of Zanzibar is from December to March, in this the maximum temperatures hovers around 32/33 degrees Celsius (90/91 °F) and the humidity is high. The breeze tempers a little the heat.

 February is the hottest month in Zanzibar with an average temperature of 28°C (82°F) and the coldest month is July at 24°C (75°F) with the most daily sunshine hours at 10 in December.

 The wettest month in Zanzibar is April with an average of 401 mm of rain, the best month to swim in the Indian Ocean is March when the average sea temperatures is 30°C (86°F).

Wind

The North – Eastern Kaskasi wind is a major factor when choosing where to have a holiday in January, Zanzibar Beaches along Zanzibar’s North and East coasts bear the brunt of the wind with a steady, stiff breeze that is usually between 20 and 30km/hr (11 – 17 knots).

Wind and waves wash seaweed onto the eastern beaches although many resorts in this area make it a point to clear the bathing areas in front of their properties.

 Conditions are ideal for kitsurfers and the stable, moderate winds which are ideal for beginners, Paje in particular is a very popular site for kite surfing at this time of the year. Kiwengwa is also a good site in this time though it is more low-key.

Visitors of Zanzibar looking for something more sheltered site,   Kendwa or Ras Kizimkazi are the best sites to try, there are day trips to the west coast atolls of Chumbe and Prison Island that are also ideal at this time of year.

When to go to Zanzibar: Activities

Most activities in Zanzibar are done in the beautiful turquoise waters, the island is the world’s best scuba diving location as rated by many pro divers.

 For divers, the best time to go for diving in Zanzibar is February, March, July and August.

Zanzibar has many great beaches which can be enjoyed visitors of the Island, visitors can also visit the nearby islands of Pamunda, Pemba Island and Chumbe Island.

The temperatures of the waters in this period is quite comfortable ranging from 24°C to 30°C whilst the general diving season stretches from June through to March, avoiding the rainy season is recommended.

Mnemba Atoll is the self – proclaimed tropical “fish capital” of East Africa, the site is full of marine life with a lot of drift diving along the walls and the edge of the reef. During the diving expedition expect to see various fish species include butterfly fish, leaf fish, pipefish, and lots of shrimp, lobsters, graceful manta rays, dolphins, turtles, and even sharks.

Water activities

Water activities offered in Zanzibar Island include fishing, canoeing, boat trips and scuba diving observing wildlife and marine life on the lakes and coastline of East Africa.

January and February are the prime time of the year for swimming with whale sharks off Mafia Island and the visibility is at its best over the coral gardens of Chole Bay.

Divers with specific interests, migration seasons with the highest concentration of certain marine animals and the highest possibility of sightings are over the following periods.

Marine life sightings calendar

Best months       Marine life

Dec to April       Manta rays

June to March   Blacktip reefs sharks

Nov to Feb         Hammerhead sharks

Oct to Feb Whale sharks (Mafia Island)

June to March   Seahorses

June to Oct        Humpback whales

Note: All year-round        Whitetip reef sharks, dolphins, and hawksbill turtles

Birds

Zanzibar is a home to an amazing population of birds including the Fish Eagle, Pemba sunbird, Fisher’s Turace, Brown – headed parrot, Roseate Terns and the Pemba Scops Owl.

Birding in Zanzibar is done all year round, however the best time for birding is during the wet season of March. April and May when migratory birds are present.

Markets

The month of January is a mango season across Zanzibar with markets being full of fresh, ripe mangoes. This month marks the end of the clove harvest in Pemba with a fragrant piles of spices which are the main export drying in the sun.

FAQs

What is the best time to visit Zanzibar?

The best time to visit Zanzibar is during the dry season which is from July to September.

What type of climate does Zanzibar have?

Zanzibar experiences tropical climate, hot all year round with two rainy seasons – long rains from March to May and short rains from Mid – October to December. Daily temperatures reach as low – mid 30°s.