Zanzibar · Tanzania

Zanzibar

The island from the east coast — coral reefs at low tide, spice-scented stone alleys at dusk, and skies that stay clear from June to October.

Tim Hennig — Mchanga sandbank, east coast

Zanzibar — At a glance
Location	Indian Ocean, 35 km east of Dar es Salaam
Main island	Unguja (Zanzibar Island) · 1,657 km²
Best months	June–October (long dry) · January–February (short dry)
Airport	ZNZ — Abeid Amani Karume International, Stone Town
From mainland	~20 min by plane · ~2 h by fast ferry from Dar es Salaam
Visa	Required · USD 50 on arrival for most nationalities 5 sources
Currency	Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) · USD widely accepted
Language	Kiswahili + English widely spoken
Time zone	EAT (UTC+3) · No daylight saving

Last verified: August 2026

When to go

Zanzibar has two dry seasons separated by two wet seasons. The long dry season — June through October — is the most reliable window. The Kaskazi trade wind keeps afternoon temperatures at 26–29°C, skies are reliably clear, and the Indian Ocean is calm enough for snorkelling, diving and kitesurfing in the lagoon. This is peak season: accommodation costs are highest and Paje fills with kiters.

January and February offer a shorter dry spell with lower prices and fewer crowds. The sea is warmer (29–32°C), visibility underwater is excellent, and temperatures are hotter on land (32–35°C).

The Masika long rains (March through May) bring heavy daily downpours, some lodges close, and beach time is limited. The short rains (November) are milder and shorter — some years barely noticeable on the east coast.

→ Full month-by-month guide with Tim's weather notes

Jan Short dry, warm sea

Feb Hottest, low crowds

Mar Masika rains begin

Apr Heaviest rain

May Rains taper off

Jun Kaskazi begins

Jul Peak season

Aug Peak season

Sep Peak season

Oct Dry, quieter

Nov Short rains, mild

Dec Dry spells, holidays busy

Peak dry seasonDryShoulderLong rains — avoid

Coasts & areas

Low-tide sandbar on Zanzibar's east coast — turquoise lagoon, white sand, Indian Ocean horizon

East Coast — Paje, Bwejuu & Michamvi Pingwe

Best months: June–October (kite season, calm lagoon; flat water at low tide)
Transfer from ZNZ airport: 55–70 min by road
Signature: kitesurfing, tidal sandbar walks, reef snorkelling off the sandbar
Who it suits: kitesurfers, couples, divers, anyone who wants a quieter beach

Explore East Coast — Paje, Bwejuu & Michamvi Pingwe →

Aerial view of Nungwi beach, Zanzibar north coast — fishing village, clear water, traditional dhows

North Coast — Nungwi & Kendwa

Best months: June–October and December–February (swimmable at all tides year-round)
Transfer from ZNZ airport: 60–75 min by road
Signature: sunset dhow cruises, lively beach bars, turtle sanctuary at Nungwi village
Who it suits: sociable travellers, groups, anyone who wants swimming depth at low tide

Explore North Coast — Nungwi & Kendwa →

Stone Town

Best months: all year (indoor sights unaffected by rain; cooler June–October)
Transfer from ZNZ airport: 20 min
Signature: UNESCO-listed alley maze, Darajani spice market, rooftop bars at dusk
Who it suits: history travellers, food lovers, pre/post-safari stopovers

Explore Stone Town →

Other islands in the archipelago

Zanzibar is three main islands. Unguja is the tourist hub; Pemba and Mafia are for specialists — remote, undeveloped, and rewarding for the right visitor.

Pemba Island · Zanzibar Archipelago Pemba Island — wall diving Visibility to 60 m, walls that drop 600+ m, 30% hard coral cover on the western reefs (CORDIO EA, 2019). Three daily flights from Zanzibar (30 min). No resort development. Best for certified divers who specifically want the wall. Pemba diving guide → Mafia Island · Zanzibar Archipelago Mafia Island — whale sharks Whale shark season October–March (snorkel trip USD 60). Mafia Island Marine Park, five sea turtle species. 30 min from Dar es Salaam by light aircraft. IUCN Important Marine Area for whale shark conservation. Mafia Island guide →

Plan & practical

Experiences & activities

Zanzibar · Costs & Budget Zanzibar Budget Guide 2026: What a Holiday Really Costs What Zanzibar actually costs in 2026: mandatory fees (visa USD 50 + ZIC USD 44), hotel price tiers, activities, and when it's cheapest to visit each year. Read → Zanzibar · Chumbe Island Chumbe Island Eco-Lodge: Bungalows, Prices, and What to Expect Overnight Chumbe Island eco-lodge: 7 off-grid solar bungalows, all-inclusive from USD 280–400 per person per night (incl. mandatory levies). Turtle nesting runs Nov–Mar; closed April to mid-June. Read → Zanzibar · Dhow Cruise Zanzibar Dhow Cruise 2026: Safari Blue, Sunset Dhow & What to Book Zanzibar dhow cruise options compared: Safari Blue full-day from USD 65 out of Fumba, sunset dhow trips from Nungwi, and the Nakupenda sandbank day trip. Read → Zanzibar diving Diving in Zanzibar: Honest Guide to the Best Sites Where to dive in Zanzibar, when visibility peaks, what you see at Mnemba atoll, certification options and dive prices — from a year-round east coast resident. Read → Zanzibar · With Children Zanzibar with Children 2026: Beaches and Family Tips Zanzibar with children 2026: which beach works best for families (Nungwi vs east coast), malaria prophylaxis for kids, ZIC costs, what to do, best season. Read → Honeymoon Zanzibar Honeymoon: A Resident's Real Guide Which Zanzibar coast for seclusion vs swimmable water, tide logic, best months, boutique stays and beach-dinner reality, from a hotelier who lives here. Read → Zanzibar · Jozani Forest Jozani Forest Zanzibar 2026: Red Colobus Monkeys, Mangroves, Entry Guide Jozani Forest Zanzibar 2026: the only place on earth to see the wild Zanzibar Red Colobus monkey. Entry USD 12, mangrove boardwalk, best time to visit. Read → East coast activities Kitesurfing in Zanzibar: The Honest Wind Guide When to kite Zanzibar, why Paje is the hub, how the low-tide lagoon works, and the real difference between learning and riding here. From the east coast. Read → Nungwi · Sea Turtles Mnarani Marine Turtles Conservation Pond Nungwi: Entry, Hours & What You Actually Experience Mnarani Marine Turtles Conservation Pond in Nungwi: entry USD 10, open daily 09:00–18:00, around 50 green and hawksbill turtles in a natural tidal pool. Read → attraction Prison Island Zanzibar (Changuu Island): Giant Tortoises, Colonial History & Snorkelling Prison Island (Changuu): 5.6 km from Stone Town, 20–30 min by boat, USD 22 entry (2025 fee hike), Aldabra giant tortoises up to 196 years old, reef snorkelling on the west side. Read → Zanzibar · Wildlife Sea Turtles in Zanzibar: Mnarani Conservation Pond and Where to See Them Sea turtles in Zanzibar: Mnarani Conservation Pond in Nungwi (USD 10, est. 1993), green turtle nesting at Chumbe, and when humpback whales pass through. Read → Zanzibar activities Zanzibar Spice Tour: Honest Guide & What to Expect What a Zanzibar spice tour actually is, what you taste and smell, half-day timings, rough prices, and how to pick a good one without the tourist traps. Read →

Transparency: WildToSea currently earns no affiliate commission from any link. The author manages Boutique Hotel Matlai, which is mentioned where it is relevant. How we make money →

Frequently asked questions about Zanzibar

Do you need a visa for Zanzibar?

Yes. Most nationalities purchase a Tanzanian tourist visa on arrival at Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ). The standard single-entry fee is USD 50, payable in cash. US, Canadian, and most EU citizens qualify. East African Community nationals (Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan) are exempt. → Full entry requirements guide

What is the best time of year to visit Zanzibar?

June through October is the most reliable window — the Kaskazi trade wind keeps skies clear and the Indian Ocean calm. January and February offer a shorter dry spell. Avoid the Masika long rains (March–May), when heavy daily downpours limit beach time and some facilities close. → Full month-by-month guide

How do you get to Zanzibar from Dar es Salaam?

By air (approximately 20 minutes, multiple daily flights with Precision Air and Coastal Aviation) or by fast ferry from Dar es Salaam port (approximately 2 hours). Flights are more reliable — ferry schedules run late and the crossing can be rough May–October. → Getting to Zanzibar guide

Is Zanzibar safe for tourists?

Zanzibar is generally safe for tourists. Petty theft — phone snatching in Stone Town's alleys, bag theft on beaches — is the main concern; standard urban caution applies. Political demonstrations occasionally occur in Stone Town; avoid large gatherings. The east coast is quieter and considered safer than the north and west. → Safety guide

Is Zanzibar part of Tanzania?

Yes. Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous region of the United Republic of Tanzania. It has its own government (the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar) but shares foreign policy, defence, and currency with the mainland. The same Tanzanian tourist visa covers both Zanzibar and the mainland.

All 83 guides

Places & regions

Parks, sights & things to do

When to go

Zanzibar

Itineraries

Zanzibar 1-Week Itinerary 2026

Planning & practical

Keep exploring Zanzibar

Stone Town — UNESCO HeritageRead →Jozani Forest — red colobusRead →Kizimkazi — dolphinsRead →Pemba Island — wall divingRead →Mafia Island — whale sharksRead →Entry requirementsRead →

Tim Hennig, General Manager, Boutique Hotel Matlai, Michamvi Pingwe, Zanzibar.

I live and work on Zanzibar's east coast year-round — managing Matlai, diving the reefs, watching the seasons change. If you have a question this guide doesn't answer, I'm happy to help directly.

Get in touch