The calendar at a glance
| Period | Weather | Sea and wind | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| December to February | Hot, mostly dry, showers possible | Warmest sea (about 28 to 30 °C) | High season at Christmas and New Year: highest prices |
| March | Hot and humid, start of the big rains according to sources | Warm sea | Transition month; dates vary from year to year |
| April and May | The wettest months (April: about 230 mm over 18 rainy days according to one guide) | Rougher sea, lower visibility | Low prices; some hotels reduce activity or close (to check) |
| June to August | Dry, cooler (about 22 to 28 °C) | Steady wind, sea about 25 to 27 °C | High season in July and August; very good for kitesurfing |
| September and October | Dry, then first short showers at the end of the period | Calm sea | Good compromise between weather and prices |
| November | Short rains (vuli), often brief | Warm sea | Lower prices; plenty of sun between showers |
Tides and beaches: what changes by coast
The tide is the island's great particularity. On the north coast (Nungwi, Kendwa) the effect is small to moderate: you can swim almost all day, especially at Kendwa. On the east and south-east coast (Paje, Jambiani, Bwejuu, Michamvi) the sea retreats over large distances at low tide, sometimes around half a kilometre at Matemwe according to a 2026 guide, and much more on some stretches of Chwaka Bay; swimming is done at high tide. Tides are strongest around the new and full moon. Ask your hotel for the day's times.
| Beach | Tide | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Kendwa | Slight | Swimming at any hour, couples, families |
| Nungwi | Moderate depending on the stretch | Activity, restaurants, excursion departures |
| Matemwe | Marked | Quiet, snorkelling and diving at Mnemba |
| Kiwengwa | Marked | All-inclusive resorts |
| Paje | Very marked | Kitesurfing, young travellers |
| Jambiani | Very marked | Village, quiet, small budgets |
Seaweed: what we know and what we don't
Seaweed is farmed on the east coast, especially at Paje and Jambiani, and drifting seaweed can wash up on the sand depending on winds and seasons. The sources consulted give no reliable months, and we do not invent any. For a beach with the least seaweed, the north (Nungwi, Kendwa) is the one where it causes the fewest problems according to guides; on the east coast, ask your hotel whether it cleans its beach and what it is seeing at the dates of your stay.
When to come depending on your trip
- Beach and swimming: June to October, or December to February if you like the heat. To swim at any hour, aim for the north.
- Kitesurfing: the austral winter (June to September) and the start of the year (December to March) are the most cited periods; confirm with a school, see Kitesurfing in Paje.
- Snorkelling and diving: in the dry season, calmer sea and better visibility according to guides; see Mnemba.
- Small budget: April, May and November are the cheapest, at the price of rain; see the budget in Zanzibar and Zanzibar when it rains.
- Stone Town and culture: all year; prefer the morning, as heat and humidity weigh in the afternoon. See Stone Town.
Holidays and calendar to watch
Zanzibar is mostly Muslim. Ramadan 2027 should begin around the start of February (the date depends on the moon sighting): most hotels and beaches stay open, but in town some restaurants close in the daytime and discretion is appropriate. The Persian New Year of Mwaka Kogwa takes place in July at Makunduchi; see Mwaka Kogwa. The Sauti za Busara festival is generally held in February; see Sauti za Busara. Check the exact dates for the year of your stay.
FAQ
What is the best month to go to Zanzibar?
Guides agree on the dry season from June to October, with a good compromise in September and October; December to February suits you if you prefer heat and a warmer sea.
Which month is the wettest?
April, according to the figures consulted, followed by May and March. The rain often comes as heavy showers, not a whole day.
Can you travel to Zanzibar in the rainy season?
Yes, with a lower budget and fallback plans. Some boat trips are cancelled if the sea is rough, and some hotels close.
Where can you swim at any hour?
On the north coast, especially at Kendwa. On the east coast, swimming depends on the tide.
Pour aller plus loin
Then choose your area in where to stay in Zanzibar, prepare your stay with Zanzibar in 4 days and organise your arrival with from the airport to your hotel.
