When to go to Zanzibar?
Weather

When to go · Tanzania

When to go to Zanzibar?

The essentials for picking your dates without spending hours on it: best months, month-by-month climate, and what to avoid where.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
IdealGood periodTransitionAvoid

Quick decision

Go now or wait?

July to October
  • Almost no risk of rain
  • Warm sea, ideal visibility
  • Trade winds temper the heat
  • The best period for diving
Nov, Dec, Jan-Feb
  • Good compromise between weather and crowds
  • A few brief showers, mostly in Nov.
  • Heat more pronounced in Jan-February
  • Milder prices than in high season
April and May
  • Daily rain, sometimes heavy
  • Many hotels closed for renovations
  • Overcast skies most of the time
  • Rougher sea on the east coast

Detailed view

Month by month

Average temperatureSea temperature (coast)
January
31°
28°
February
32°
29°
March
31°
29°
April
29°
28°
May
28°
27°
June
28°
26°
July
27°
26°
August
27°
26°
September
28°
26°
October
29°
27°
November
30°
28°
December
31°
29°

Still wondering

Frequently asked questions

Can you swim year-round?

Yes, the sea stays between 26° and 29° all year. Even in the rainy season, swimming remains pleasant — it's mainly the rain and overcast sky that are the issue, not the water temperature.

Does the rainy season really ruin the trip?

In April-May, largely yes: daily rain, sometimes heavy, and many hotels close for renovations. In November, the rain is shorter and more spaced out, with lovely sunny spells.

Should you book well ahead for high season?

Yes, July-August is ideally booked 4 to 6 months ahead, especially for the most sought-after beachfront hotels.

Tell us when, we'll tell you where.

That's the Les Voyagistes principle: tell us your dates, and we'll reveal the destinations that are in perfect season.

Find my destinations