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When to go

Best time to visit Zanzibar

Excellent
Good
Mixed
Best months: July–October · Dry season: January–February, June–October, December · Wet season: March–May, November

Zanzibar in January

Dry Season — a good time to visit

  • Temperatures are reasonably hot, with little rainfall at this time of year.

  • This is the best time to swim with the mighty whale shark, the largest fish in the world.

  • The ideal month for exploring the coral reefs and exotic fish with water clarity of 25 meters or more.

Zanzibar in February

Dry Season — a good time to visit

  • Temperatures are reasonably hot, with little rainfall at this time of year.

  • This is the best time to swim with the mighty whale shark, the largest fish in the world.

  • The ideal month for exploring the coral reefs and exotic fish with water clarity of 25 meters or more.

Zanzibar in March

Wet Season — a quieter time to visit

  • The weather is not good over this period with high temperatures and plenty of rain, often in the form of storms.

  • Diving is not ideal during this month, with water clarity dropping because of the weather.

Zanzibar in April

Wet Season — a quieter time to visit

  • Temperatures are high and windy, with rainfall continually falling over this period.

  • Diving is not idea during this month, with water clarity dropping because of the weather.

Zanzibar in May

Wet Season — a quieter time to visit

  • Temperatures are high and windy, with rainfall continually falling over this period.

  • Diving is not ideal during this month, with water clarity dropping because of the weather.

Zanzibar in June

Dry Season — a good time to visit

  • At the end of the wet season, temperatures are cooler, wind can still be strong with sporadic rainfall across the month.

  • Diving is decent during this month, as long as weather doesn't pick-up.

  • Be aware that many local restaurants and stores close during the period of Ramadan.

Zanzibar in July

Dry Season — one of the best times to visit

  • Weather is more consistent over this period with cooler temperatures, little wind and low rainfall.

  • Diving is is decent during this month, as long as weather doesn't pick-up.

  • Be aware that many local restaurants and stores close during the period of Ramadan.

Zanzibar in August

Dry Season — one of the best times to visit

  • Weather is more consistent over this period with cooler temperatures, little wind and low rainfall.

  • Diving is decent during this month, as long as weather doesn't pick-up.

Zanzibar in September

Dry Season — one of the best times to visit

  • Weather is more consistent over this period with cooler temperatures, little wind and low rainfall.

  • There is the possibility of whale watching, as an added bonus during this time of year.

  • Diving is decent during this month, as long as weather doesn't pick-up.

Zanzibar in October

Dry Season — one of the best times to visit

  • Weather is more consistent over this period with cooler temperatures, little wind and low rainfall.

  • There is the possibility of whale watching, as an added bonus during this time of year.

  • The ideal month for exploring the coral reefs and exotic fish with water clarity of 25 meters or more.

Zanzibar in November

Wet Season — a quieter time to visit

  • Temperatures are hot with the arrival of the summer rains and wind.

  • If you are a keen fisherman, billfish fishing season kicks off.

  • This is the best time to swim with the mighty whale shark, the largest fish in the world.

  • The ideal month for exploring the coral reefs and exotic fish with water clarity of 25 meters or more.

Zanzibar in December

Dry Season — a good time to visit

  • Temperatures are hot with the arrival of the summer rains and wind.

  • This is the best time to swim with the mighty whale shark, the largest fish in the world.

  • Diving is not at its best but decent during this month, as long as weather doesn't pick-up.

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