Best Time to Visit Zanzibar

Zanzibar is warm all year, so the real question is rain, wind and sea conditions. In short: June to October and December to February are the driest months, March to May brings the long rains, and November has short showers. Here is what that means for your trip.

Zanzibar seasons at a glance

• June to October: long dry season. Cooler, breezy and sunny, with the lowest rainfall of the year. September is usually the driest month.
• November to December: short rains. Brief showers with sunshine in between. Travel is easy and the island is quieter before the Christmas season.
• January to February: short dry season. Hot and mostly sunny, with calm seas. February is often the hottest month, with highs around 33°C.
• March to May: long rains. April is the wettest month. Some hotels close or offer lower rates, and boat trips can be cancelled when the sea is rough.

Daytime highs stay around 28°C to 33°C all year and nights rarely drop below 22°C.

Best time for snorkeling and diving

Visibility is usually best from June to October, and the calm seas of December to February suit beginners and families. During the long rains, runoff can cloud the water. If snorkeling at Mnemba Atoll or Safari Blue is the main reason for your trip, avoid April and May.

Whatever the month, tides matter as much as the season. Sandbanks such as Nakupenda and the Michamvi Blue Lagoon are best at low tide, so we plan those trips around the tide table on your date.

Best time for kitesurfing

Zanzibar has two wind seasons. The north-east monsoon (kaskazi) blows from about December to March and the south-east trade wind (kusi) from about June to October. Both work for kitesurfing in Paje, the island’s kite hub. April, May and November are the least reliable for wind.

Best time for the beach

The beach is good in every dry month. Keep the tides in mind: on the east coast (Paje, Jambiani, Matemwe) the sea goes far out at low tide, while Nungwi and Kendwa in the north are much less affected by the tide. Our guide to the best beaches in Zanzibar explains the difference coast by coast.

Best time to combine Zanzibar with a safari

The dry season from June to October is the classic safari season on the mainland, when animals gather near water and the grass is short. Flights from Zanzibar make it easy to add a day safari to Mikumi or a Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari. Safaris also run in the green season, often at lower cost, but some roads and camps are affected by the long rains.

Busy and quiet periods

July, August and late December to early January are the busiest months, so book hotels and popular tours early. If you visit during Ramadan, most tours run as normal, but some restaurants close during the day and modest dress is especially appreciated in Stone Town and the villages.

Our recommendation

For the best mix of weather, sea conditions and price, aim for late June, September, October, January or February. If you can only travel in the rainy months, Zanzibar is still green and beautiful; keep a flexible day in your plans in case a sea trip has to move.

Tell us your dates and we will suggest the right tours for that time of year. Message us on WhatsApp at +255 773 963 024 or use our contact page.