When to visit zanzibar

Zanzibar weather
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Zanzibar is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, just off the east coast of Tanzania. Zanzibar has a tropical monsoon climate, being near to the equator, the islands are warm year round. Zanzibar’s weather is cooler than the mainland because it is surrounded by water from which cooling winds blow.
The question is often asked by travellers, When to travel to Zanzibar? The answer is not so obvious, because it depends,

what you want to do,
how much the crowds of tourists bother you,
and how much budget you have.

This guide is perfect if you’re…
✓ planning a beach holiday but want to avoid the rainy season
✓ unsure which month is actually best for Zanzibar
✓ traveling on a budget and want lower prices

✓ interested in snorkeling, wildlife, or nature experiences

Keep scrolling to see how Zanzibar’s weather really changes month by month.

Obviously, in high season everything is much more expensive and there are a lot of tourists. If you are willing to compromise, you can travel in low or shoulder season.

Weather patterns across Africa are becoming increasingly unpredictable, probably due to global warming. Although the rainy season used to be fairly predictable in East Africa, it is now difficult to predict when the long rainy season will start and end. It’s definitely worth checking ahead to see what the weather will be like in Zanzibar. In Africa, the dry and rainy seasons alternate continuously, so you can expect the same in Zanzibar.

Planning a trip to Zanzibar?

Zanzibar’s weather changes more than most travelers expect. In this guide, you’ll find out when to visit Zanzibar for perfect beach weather, which months to avoid heavy rain, and the best time for snorkeling, safaris, or budget travel— month by month, clearly explained.

Scroll down to find the best season for your travel style.

Please note, this post may contain affiliate links.

Table of Contents

Zanzibar weather, climate

Description of the seasons

Hot season
Long rainy season
Long dry season
Short rainy season

Zanzibar weather Summary

Zanzibar weather, climate

Climate data for Zanzibar

Zanzibar has a tropical climate with four distinct seasons:

two dry seasons (one short, one long) and
two wet seasons (one short and one long).

In general, February is the hottest month in Zanzibar with an average temperature of 28°C (82°F) and the coldest is July at 24°C (75°F). The wettest month is April, with an average of 400 mm of rain. The best month for swimming in the ocean is March when the average sea temperature is 30°C (86°F). The most hours of sunshine are in December, with an average of 10 hours per day.

Popular Programs

Description of the seasons

Hot season

from mid-December to April

This is a great time to visit the island for those who like warm/hot weather. These are the hottest and most popular months, especially for European tourists, as they are the time to travel from winter to summer. We can expect very little rain, only very occasional showers for a few minutes. Temperatures can reach 40 °C and humidity is high. This is the peak season for winds, which makes places like Paje extremely popular with kite surfers. Understandably, this is the busiest tourist season and this is reflected in the prices.
Average temperature: 28-30 °C
Rainfall: minimal
Average ocean temperature: 30 °C

Recommended for travel!

Explore more Zanzibar travel tips on my blog - Check it Now

Long rainy season

March to June

This is the “main” rainy season, the time of the monsoons. Although there is a lot of rain during this season, in March you might get lucky and not have any rain during the whole holiday. However, you can still get sunburnt! In April and May it is definitely not worth travelling because of the unbearable humidity. During this time many resorts close as there are weeks of torrential downpours. The average temperature is slightly lower, but not at all cold, and it is the rain that can make your holiday miserable.
Average temperature: 25-26 °C
Rainfall: most of the time
Average ocean temperature: 28 °C

It is not recommended to travel in April and May.

TIP

Combining the wildebeest migration with a trip to Zanzibar!

If you want to combine an oceanside vacation with a Serengeti safari and see the great wildebeest migration, travel in the long dry season.

In this blog post, you can read some useful information about choosing a hotel in Zanzibar.

Long dry season

from June to October

After the stormy season, long dry season starts in June. At this time of year the weather is “cooler” and there is hardly any rainfall. It is popular because during this time many people visit the Serengeti to witness the great wildebeest migration. This is the so-called dry season, with sunshine and perfect water conditions. As the average temperature is a few degrees lower, Zanzibar is less crowded during this period than in January and February.
Average temperature: 24-26 °C
Rainfall: minimal
Average ocean temperature: 25-26 °C
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It’s a great time to visit Zanzibar.

Download my free Zanzibar bucket list for your next adventure

Short rainy season

November and December

The short rainy season is the “mwaka”, when rainfall may occur several times, but not as much as in April. In November, it may rain several times, but only for a short period of time, when bright sunshine is guaranteed. This does not really affect the holiday as the rain is quickly followed by beautiful sunshine. The thermometer reads 30°C, but the humidity is very high. Despite the often unpredictable weather, many tourists visit the island for New Year’s Eve.
Average temperature: 24-26 °C
Rainfall: frequently
Average ocean temperature: 25-26 °C
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Compromise recommended!

I was in Zanzibar in October and in my opinion it was one of the best choices. The weather was excellent and there were fewer tourists on the island.

Zanzibar weather Summary

If you are looking for heat and a warm ocean, January – February – March are the best months, but remember that this is the busiest time of year when the hotels are the most expensive.
If you’re happy with 30 °C, then September-October is also a good choice and even the autumn holidays fall into this. Ideal because, it’s the end of the dry season, temperatures are steadily warming but the short rainy season hasn’t yet started.
One thing is for sure, it is not recommended to travel to Zanzibar during the long rainy season, April-May.

Lastly, no matter the time of year, Zanzibar weather creates spectacular sunsets that transform the sky into a canvas of purples, oranges, and pinks, a daily spectacle not to be missed.

Pro tip - Free Tours in Zanzibar

Join a free walking tour with Freetour.com and explore like a local!

Looking for a fun, affordable, and authentic way to discover a new city? Freetour offers a wide range of free walking tours led by passionate local guides — many of whom are independent, freelance professionals. Tours are usually held in English or the guide’s native language, and they’re a fantastic way to meet people and get a deeper understanding of the city’s history, culture, and daily life.

There’s no fixed price — you simply tip the guide at the end based on what you can afford and how much you enjoyed the experience. It’s flexible, fair, and fun!

Browse all free walking tours in Zanzibar here: Freetour – Zanzibar

Need help planning your trip?

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Here are my favourite sites to use when planning my trips:

Find your flight: Kiwi or use the airline’s direct website

Book your Hotel: Booking.com and Airbnb

Search for a rental car: Discovercars

Stay Connected Anywhere: Airalo eSIM

Book an unforgettable experiences: GetYourGuide website.

e-SIM

Surf the internet anywhere in the world!

When travelling overseas, an important question is how you will use your phone while on holiday. Everyone wants to avoid high roaming charges and is looking for a simple, fast and affordable solution. Rather than buying a physical SIM card and the hassle of setting it up, choose Airalo’s digital SIM card. Airalo is the world’s first eSIM (digital SIM) store, available at affordable prices in over 200 countries. Choose from local, regional or global cards.
With eSIM, you can purchase a mobile data plan through the Airalo app, which you can install on your eSIM-enabled device in seconds. If you want more details, visit the Airalo website.

Website: Airalo

Source: Wandering Linda
Photos: Wandering Linda
Affiliate Program: Please note, this post may contain affiliate links, which means that I get a small commission on sales generated through this website. This doesn’t increase the price of the service, so if you found my post useful, you’re welcome to start your booking from the link above. Thank you very much for your support!