Enjoy the blue sky, the azure sea, the white sandy beaches with a drink in your hand, or discover the history of Stone Town in the winding streets, permeated with the aroma of spices. These are just some of the things you can experience when visiting the Tanzanian island, Zanzibar.
But when is the best time to visit the island?
Read more below to learn about the weather on the paradise island.
NB: The guide below is a guideline only.
Zanzibar is located in the tropical climate belt so the weather is warm on the island all year round.
It’s summer in Zanzibar when it’s winter in the UK. All year round, however, you can expect an average daytime temperature of 25 to 28 degrees and an average night temperature of 20 to 25 degrees. And the sun shines between 7 and 8 hours a day on the island.
Summer or winter, it’s holiday weather in Zanzibar.
Zanzibar has two dry seasons: The long, “cold” dry season and the short, humid dry season.
The two dry seasons are great months for a beach holiday in Zanzibar. Enjoy a well-deserved rest at the water’s edge, go for a dip in the lovely water or head out on adventure under the ocean waves. January and February are especially good months for snorkelling and diving as the sea is so clear.
If you feel the need for a little more activity, a spice excursion on the island is a wonderful experience. You can also gain an insight into Zanzibar’s history in Zanzibar’s old town, Stone Town, where a visit to the Darajani market is an experience.
Just as there are two dry seasons, there are also two rainy seasons in Zanzibar: one long and one short.
You should be aware that the rainy season does not mean that it rains all day or every day. You can still enjoy days on the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar – and an added bonus is that it’s a more private experience as there are fewer visitors at this time of year. In December, it’s high season again and more people visit the island.
If there are days that are not great for beach activities, the island also offers a whole array of other wonderful experiences. Visit for example the Persian baths, the National Museum, Beit al-Ajaib, or discover one of Stone Town’s other exciting sights.
A Tanzanian safari, a must for your safari wish list. An amazing safari experience including Serengeti & Ngorongoro. A 4-star beach stay, on the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar a perfect ending.
On this tour, you experience the biggest highlights of Kenya; Amboseli, Lake Naivasha and Masai Mara. The tour concludes with a relaxing holiday on the exotic island of Zanzibar.
Experience Africa’s iconic animals on a short safari tour. Get up close to nature and sleep in comfortable tents on the Serengeti. The tour concludes with a beach holiday in wonderful Zanzibar.
Enjoy the best of Kenya. You get up close to the nature and unique animal life in some of the country’s best national parks before digesting your experiences on white sandy beaches in Zanzibar.
Combine three of Tanzania’s absolute highlights: ascend Kilimanjaro via the Machame Route, go on a safari with fantastic animal life and conclude your tour with a beach holiday on Zanzibar.
Fly to the Serengeti, where great animal experiences await. You drive through the landscape on a fantastic safari to the Ngorongoro crater before flying to Zanzibar on a beach holiday.
Fancy experiencing Serengeti’s animal life without compromising on comfort? Then this is your tour! Enjoy the view from your lodge in the middle of the Serengeti and conclude the tour in Zanzibar.
The goal of this tour is the peak of Kilimanjaro on the renowned Machame route. The reward and relaxation await on the white sandy beaches on the exotic island of Zanzibar.
Longing to laze under a shady palm in Zanzibar overlooking the sea? Fancy a taster of safari in Africa’s largest national park? Then this is the tour for you.
This is the tour for you if you don’t have a lot of time at your disposal but would like to enjoy a taste of a safari in Tanzania, followed by a beach holiday in Zanzibar.
A Tanzanian safari, a must for your safari wish list. An amazing safari experience including Serengeti & Ngorongoro. A 4-star beach stay, on the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar a perfect ending.
On this tour, you experience the biggest highlights of Kenya; Amboseli, Lake Naivasha and Masai Mara. The tour concludes with a relaxing holiday on the exotic island of Zanzibar.
Experience Africa’s iconic animals on a short safari tour. Get up close to nature and sleep in comfortable tents on the Serengeti. The tour concludes with a beach holiday in wonderful Zanzibar.
Enjoy the best of Kenya. You get up close to the nature and unique animal life in some of the country’s best national parks before digesting your experiences on white sandy beaches in Zanzibar.
Combine three of Tanzania’s absolute highlights: ascend Kilimanjaro via the Machame Route, go on a safari with fantastic animal life and conclude your tour with a beach holiday on Zanzibar.
Fly to the Serengeti, where great animal experiences await. You drive through the landscape on a fantastic safari to the Ngorongoro crater before flying to Zanzibar on a beach holiday.
Fancy experiencing Serengeti’s animal life without compromising on comfort? Then this is your tour! Enjoy the view from your lodge in the middle of the Serengeti and conclude the tour in Zanzibar.
The goal of this tour is the peak of Kilimanjaro on the renowned Machame route. The reward and relaxation await on the white sandy beaches on the exotic island of Zanzibar.
Longing to laze under a shady palm in Zanzibar overlooking the sea? Fancy a taster of safari in Africa’s largest national park? Then this is the tour for you.
This is the tour for you if you don’t have a lot of time at your disposal but would like to enjoy a taste of a safari in Tanzania, followed by a beach holiday in Zanzibar.
Wonderful experiences await you on a holiday to Zanzibar’s beach paradise.
If you’re unsure about when to go or what holiday to choose, our travel specialists are on hand to help you choose the perfect holiday for you.
Have a great time in Zanzibar!
TourCompass – From tourist to traveller
