Summary
The best time to visit Zanzibar is from June to October during the cool, dry months of spring. Another popular time to visit this tropical island is from December to February when it’s hot and dry. An African beach holiday means sundrenched shores, palm fringed beaches and glorious sunsets - expect all this and more on a Zanzibar Beach Escape. There are two best times to Scuba Dive off the coast of Zanzibar, in July and August and in February and March. Diving off the north coast is particularly good from June to October and off the south coast between November and March. We don’t recommend visiting Zanzibar during the two rainy seasons, from Mid-March to late May and again in November.
Wondering when the best time to visit Zanzibar is? Zanzibar; it’s a magical far-off destination in name alone. And that’s before you even look into the amazing history of this nation. With settlers from far-flung locations such as Persia and a deep Swahili and Arab history, this rich trading archipelago is an incredible place to visit - not least for its awesome beaches and nature.
But with two dry seasons and two wet seasons, and two sets of seasonal winds blowing from opposite directions alternately, knowing the best time to visit Zanzibar can be a pain. Don’t worry, though; we’ve done the hard work for you. Cast your eyes below and see what works for you!
Zanzibar in January is pretty hot. In fact, it’s the hottest month of the year, with average temperatures of 29°C. Even the sea is the same temperature, making it like swimming in a bathtub. Nighttime temperatures are around 25°C. Humidity is about 64%, which is pretty humid, but there’s not a lot of rain – only 3mm. January is actually the start of the dry season in Zanzibar, but there may be the occasional thunderstorm in the afternoons.
The kaskazi winds hit the north and east coast this time of year, making waves bigger, which in turn brings seaweed to the beaches. Watersports like kitesurfing are ideal with these breezy conditions.
February is also really hot. It’s pretty dry too – in terms of rainfall, that is – but humidity levels are increasing. Clouds can build up, but generally, it’s one of the driest months of the year. Temperatures average 28°C but can easily push into the 30s; the sea is also very warm at this time of year, making February suitable for chilling on the beach.
The kaskazi is dying down come February, but it’s still better to head to the more sheltered south and west coasts of Zanzibar. It’s also a good time of year for excursions to Chumbe Island for snorkeling in the protected reef.
With the winds virtually having disappeared by now, March is hot and humid. The beaches and seawater are balmy. Naturally, this brings a lot of visitors to the beaches, but March does also come with the drawback of unpredictable weather. The rainy season begins to reveal itself by the end of the month, which means more clouds, less sun, and occasional heavy downpours.
There are still good days, especially in early March, when the seas are clear and calm, making it prime diving time. But by late March, even hotels are closing; it’s the end of high season. However, this does mean that you can get a good discount on the accommodation that’s still open.
April is the wettest month (401mm of rain). It’s the official start of Wet Season, so of course, there’s going to be a lot of rain falling at this time of year. The rains do, however, make temperatures a bit lower, but it can still easily climb above 30°C on these days.
The kaskazi winds which were bombarding the northeast of the island morph into the kusi winds that instead blow from the southwest. Days are typified by clear mornings, with pressure building up, clouds forming, and storms in the late afternoon. But sometimes it literally rains for days on end.
There’s a lot of rain still in May across the whole of the island. The start of May definitely isn’t the best time to travel to Zanzibar, but by the end of the month, the rain starts to ease off, and downpours are less frequent. Bonus: visiting Zanzibar in May means quiet beaches and hotels at discounted prices, and it won’t rain all the time either.
The weather is still pretty unpredictable, though, so you might have to get used to spending some time indoors. On average, the temperature in May is 28°C (night: 24°C). And with all that rain, nature flourishes, with flowers beginning to bloom across the island.
June is when the long dry season starts. Usually, it’s beautifully sunny, with daytime temperatures of 28°C and nighttime temperatures of 20°C. The kusi wind hitting the south and west coasts makes for ideal kitesurfing conditions, but not exactly top-notch lazing on the beach weather.
If you do want to spend time chilling on a slice of sun, sea, and sand, head to the northern end for calmer seas. June is the start of the incredible event that is sea turtles hatching – especially on Juani Island.
By July, temperatures have dropped, hovering around 24°C on average with highs of approximately 26°C, making this one of the cooler months of the year. There’s plenty of sunshine to soak up and warm seas (also 26°C) to wallow in, though.
There’s not a lot of rain, humidity is at 60%, and it’s a pleasant time of year to visit. It’s a busy time on the islands, being the time of year for one of Zanzibar’s major festivals (more on that later). It’s also the start of the summer holidays in many countries, so holidaymakers start making their way here towards the end of the month.
Another cooler month, but this is the last month where the temperatures are “cold.” It’s never too hot, and humidity isn’t that high, so it’s pleasant. The kusi winds start to die down in August, so the sea becomes a lot calmer, and it’s a much better time of year for laying out on the sand on beaches in the southwest.
But the sea still can be rough beyond the reefs. Turtles are still hatching in August – it’s a fantastic sight to see! August is a prime fishing month if you’re into that. It’s also bustling, with hotels getting booked up left, right, and center.
Cool, but starting to get warmer, September is a lovely, relaxed time of year to visit Zanzibar. There’s usually a slight breeze, but the seas remain calm – and warm (26°C) – so diving is a good option if you’re visiting in September.
In particular, the ocean around Mafia Island – with visibility of about 25 meters – is terrific for spotting whale sharks. Being such a great time to go to Zanzibar, naturally, it’s pretty popular this time of year; in fact, it’s even busier than August, so you’d better book in advance if you want to stay in your dream spot.
In essence, October sees the same kind of weather patterns as September: lots of sunshine, warm air, and sea temperatures (both around 28°C on average), little rain, around 60% humidity, and not a load of strong winds. In fact, October is the least windy month in Zanzibar. This makes it a great time of year to laze around in the lagoons and the sea.
Sunshine, sunshine, sunshine. You can even spot dolphins swimming through the calm seas off the coast of Ras Kizimkazi, and those whale sharks are still making their way around Mafia Island. It’s still a great time of year for diving, snorkeling, and all the other beachside fun you could ask for.
November is the short rainy season. Throughout the month, 226mm of rain falls, which is very different to September and October. This means there are fewer visitors to the islands. That temperature is still pretty warm though, with an average of 28°C, but the humidity is creeping up (around 69%).
The sea is still like bathwater. Even though it’s rainy, it’s much less heavy than the long rainy season back from April to May. Weather can be unpredictable, though, so be prepared.
During the last month of the year, all of Zanzibar is sprinkled with showers, but as the month goes on, those become a lot more sporadic. It amounts to just under 200mm of rain. You can expect daytime temperatures of 28°C, with highs of 35°C in some parts.
The kaskazi winds begin to get up again, and seas can get a little rough on the north and east coast of the main island; the south, east, and southeast are much more sheltered. It’s a popular time of year, because who doesn’t want to spend Christmas in Zanzibar?
