In short
- June – October: dry, sunny and breezy, with comfortable temperatures. Peak season.
- December – February: hot, mostly dry and humid, with calm, clear sea — great for snorkelling.
- March – May: the long rains. Heavy showers, especially in April and May; some hotels close.
- November: the short rains, usually brief showers between sunny spells.
The dry seasons
June to October is Zanzibar's most popular time. Days are sunny and pleasantly warm, a steady trade wind keeps it fresh, and rain is rare. It is also the main safari season on the mainland, so a safari followed by the beach works perfectly. Book beach hotels early, especially for July, August and the Christmas holidays.
December to February is hotter and more humid, with temperatures often above 30°C, but mostly dry. The sea is calm and very clear, which makes it a superb time for snorkelling and diving.
The rainy seasons
The long rains usually fall from late March to May. Expect heavy downpours, cloudy days and rough seas; April and May are the wettest months. Some smaller hotels close, and boat trips may be cancelled. In return, the island is green and quiet, and rates are lower.
The short rains arrive in November — usually short showers rather than days of rain.
Sea, tides and wind
- The east-coast beaches have big tides: at low tide the sea can go out hundreds of metres. The north-west, around Nungwi and Kendwa, is the best for swimming at any tide. See the beaches.
- Kitesurfers come to Paje and Jambiani for the steady winds from roughly June to September and December to February.
- The sea is warm all year, around 25–29°C.
Ramadan
Zanzibar is largely Muslim, and during the holy month of Ramadan (its dates move each year) many local restaurants close in the daytime and life in Stone Town is quieter by day and lively after sunset. Hotels and beach resorts carry on as normal. Please be discreet about eating, drinking and smoking in public in this month. More in culture and dress code.
Combining with a safari
Zanzibar's dry seasons match the safari calendar: the dry season (June–October) and the calving season (January–February). See the best time to visit Tanzania and safari and Zanzibar.
