Zanzibar
Best time to visit Zanzibar: month by month
Zanzibar has two dry seasons and two rainy seasons, and the difference between them matters more than the temperature. Here is the year month by month, and where to stay when you go.
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In short: when is the best time to visit Zanzibar?
The best time is December to February and June to October. December to February is the hottest, around 30°C by day, and makes a warm winter escape from Britain. June to October is dry and a little cooler. Avoid April and May, when the long rains bring heavy downpours and several hotels close.
Our winter pick: Zuri Zanzibar in Kendwa, where you can swim all day. Check availability and prices
Picolo has been to Zanzibar several times, and the advice below draws on our own trips.
The Zanzibar year
Zanzibar lies six degrees south of the equator, so the temperature barely changes through the year. Rain and wind make the seasons. In Swahili the long spring rains are called masika, and the short rains around November are vuli. Between them come two dry spells, each with its own wind.
December to February: hot and dry, with a north-easterly wind. Peak season over Christmas and New Year.
March: hot and humid, with rain often arriving towards the end of the month.
April and May: masika, with heavy downpours and grey skies. Many smaller hotels close.
June to October: dry and a little cooler, with a south-easterly wind. Good for kitesurfing on the east coast.
November: vuli, with showers that usually pass within the day.
Dry season
In the dry season the water off the northern tip is clear and calm in the morning.
December to February: winter sun
These are the months most northern Europeans travel, and it is easy to see why. While it is dark at home, it is around 30°C and the sea is warm. Mornings are often calm, and visibility is good for snorkelling at Mnemba Atoll.
The downside is price and demand. Over Christmas and February half-term the best hotels in Kendwa and Nungwi sell out well in advance. Ramadan falls in February and March in 2027, and village restaurants are often closed during the day.
Where to stay in winter: Zuri Zanzibar
In winter you want to swim, and Kendwa is where the tide gets in the way least. Zuri has bungalows in a tropical garden running down to the beach, and from the bar you watch the sun set into the sea. Guests rate it 9.4 out of 10.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices
April and May: rain and closed hotels
The long rains are the one period we would avoid. Rain comes in heavy bursts, the sea turns rough, and many of the smallest beach hotels close for the season. Prices are at their lowest, and there is a reason for that.
If you do go, choose a larger hotel that stays open all year, and expect a few days indoors.
June to October: dry, cooler and windy
When the south-easterly wind arrives in June, the temperature drops to around 27 to 29°C. That makes walking in Stone Town more comfortable and is ideal for kitesurfing at Paje. July to October is also peak safari season in Tanzania, so many travellers combine the two. Read more in our guide to combining safari and Zanzibar.
Where to stay in summer: Breezes Beach Club & Spa
On the east coast these months bring wind and long sandbanks at low tide. Breezes in Dongwe includes half board and has the highest guest rating we found on the island, 9.6 out of 10. The kite schools in Paje are a short drive south.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices
November and March: the shoulder months
November is the short rainy season, but the showers tend to be brief and come in the afternoon. It is a quiet month with lower prices and plenty of space on the beaches. March is hot and humid, with a growing chance of rain towards the end of the month.
Where to stay if it rains: Zanzibar Serena Hotel
A shower matters less in Stone Town than on the beach. The Serena stands on the waterfront in Shangani, and from here you can walk to the cafés and spice stalls of the old town. Guests rate it 9.0.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices
The tide: what the forecast will not tell you
Whatever the month, the tide shapes your beach day. Around full moon and new moon the gap between high and low water is greatest, and on the east coast the sea can retreat several hundred metres. Check a tide table for your travel week, and read our guide to Zanzibar hotels before choosing a beach.
Frequently asked questions about the best time to visit Zanzibar
What is the best month to visit Zanzibar?
January and February are among the best months, with dry, hot weather. July to September is also good, with slightly lower temperatures and less humidity.
Is November rainy in Zanzibar?
Yes, November is the short rainy season. Showers usually arrive in the afternoon and pass quickly, so there is still plenty of sunshine.
How hot is Zanzibar in January?
In January daytime temperatures are around 30°C and the sea is warm. It is one of the hottest and driest months.
Can you visit Zanzibar in April?
You can, but April falls in the middle of the long rains. Many smaller hotels close, and you should expect several wet days.
When is the best time for kitesurfing in Zanzibar?
The wind is most reliable from June to September and from December to February. Paje on the east coast is the best-known spot.