The weather on Zanzibar
When is the best time to travel to Zanzibar?
What is the weather like in Zanzibar?
These are two important questions you would like to have answered before booking your holiday to this beautiful island. So check out the answers to all your questions on this page.
Average temperature & precipitation
take a look at the table below for the average temperature and rainfall per month on Zanzibar. Of course, these are averages and there may be exceptions.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Temp (°C) | 33 | 34 | 34 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 33 |
| Precipitation (mm) | 66 | 69 | 172 | 385 | 293 | 82 | 61 | 42 | 42 | 72 | 136 | 128 |
Weather per month
Zanzibar Weather in January
During the dry season in January, you can look forward to up to ten hours of sunshine. For those who are looking for sun, beach and sea on holiday and want to avoid cold days in Europe, January is the best time to travel to Zanzibar.
Zanzibar Weather in February
In February, with an average temperature of up to 32 degrees, the weather in Zanzibar is less suitable for culture seekers than for sun worshippers. A plus for all water sports enthusiasts: the water temperature rises and feels like a warm bathtub.
Zanzibar Weather in March
March is not only the start of the big rainy season, but is also considered the hottest month of the year – humidity is extremely high and sultriness is therefore guaranteed. With up to 12 rainy days, unsettled weather and high humidity, we can’t necessarily recommend this month as the best time to travel in Zanzibar.
Zanzibar Weather in April
Although April is not as oppressively hot as the previous month, it is also the wettest month with an average of 17 rainy days. There is also a lot of wind at this time of year. If you prefer to get wet first in the water, you should also cancel this month for your trip to Zanzibar.
Zanzibar Weather in May
Due to the many rains, the sea is not as clear as usual and even the otherwise breathtaking white beaches are covered with seaweed. Our recommendation: you should plan your next holiday in Zanzibar at the end of May at the earliest.
Zanzibar Weather in June
When the dry season starts in June, so does the high season in Zanzibar. Crystal-clear water and plenty of sunshine, which burns on the white beaches of Nungwi Beach and Matemwe Beach for up to nine hours a day, also compensate for the higher hotel prices in the high season.
Zanzibar Weather in July
July is also the ideal time to travel to Zanzibar and perfect for a beach holiday. You can expect sunny days, a pleasant 29 degrees and a constant light breeze – the ideal climate for a holiday on the dreamy island of Tanzania.
Zanzibar Weather in August
The island also shows its best side in August: the Zanzibar climate table promises up to 29 degrees Celsius and nine hours of sunshine. It is not quite as hot as at the beginning of the year and therefore wonderfully suitable for exploring the sights.
Zanzibar Weather in September
In September, temperatures on the island archipelago off the coast of Tanzania slowly climb a little higher again: so it’s still a clear go for all sun-seekers who like to relax on the beach and let the sun shine on their bellies.
Zanzibar Weather in October
The climate is very similar to February – only the water temperature is lower, but it is still a pleasant 26 degrees and there are only a few rainy days.
Zanzibar Weather in November
The Kaskazi monsoon heralds the beginning of the rainy season in Tanzania in November. Although there are definitely a few rainy days, Zanzibar’s weather changes quickly and often and a sunny holiday is quite possible.
Zanzibar Weather in December
December is the safer month weather-wise during the Kaskazi monsoon. On average, only ten rainy days are expected, which makes the chances of lots of sunshine not bad at all.
Rainy season on Zanzibar
Zanzibar has two rainy seasons: from March to May and in November and December.
Although when you hear the word rainy season you might think that it rains all day, this is not so. Rain alternates with sunshine during these months. Showers also last shorter in November and December than during the longer rainy season.
The longest and heaviest rainy season is the one at the beginning of the year, from March to May. It usually starts raining in the afternoon during these months. The degree of rainfall can be quite intense. Humidity is high during this rainy season and despite the rain, it is still around 30 degrees.
The shorter rainy season is in the months of November and December. Rain showers generally last a short time and the sun comes out again quickly.
The advantage of going to Zanzibar during months with rain is that there are fewer people and when the sun shines you have the beaches more to yourself. Incidentally, December is an exception. That’s when it’s high season on the island.
Dry season in Zanzibar
Zanzibar’s dry season also has two periods. The long dry season from June to October and the short dry season in January and February.
During the long dry season from June to October, there is very little chance of rain. A rainstorm during this period is exceptional. This is therefore a very popular period for many holidaymakers.
The short dry season in January and February is also a popular period on Zanzibar. The temperature is around 30 degrees and many families can be found on the island.
Best travel time on Zanzibar
When the best travel time for Zanzibar is also depends on your own wishes, but roughly you could say the following: during the dry season from July to September and in the months of December to mid-February.
July to October are the best months to visit Zanzibar. It is pleasantly warm but not too hot If you like diving, July and August are perfect for spending time on the north side of the island.
December to February are also good months to travel to Zanzibar. You may still experience some rain in December, but it often rains briefly and strongly.
The quietest season on the island is from April to June. If you want to go on a budget trip, this is the best time of the year. It is warm on Zanzibar all year round so there will also be beautiful sunny days during these months.
If you prefer some more peace and quiet on the beaches and don’t mind a rain shower, definitely consider travelling to Zanzibar outside the high season too.
Zanzibar climate
Zanzibar is located in the tropics and so the climate is hot and humid. In short: Zanzibar has a tropical climate. This means that it is warm all year round on the island. It is summer on Zanzibar when it is winter in our country. In the table above, you can see that the temperature on the island is always around 30 degrees.
The sea water is always warm with an average temperature of 20ºC. The sea is also very calm, which makes the island a great holiday destination if you fancy a beach holiday.
Length of days on Zanzibar
Zanzibar is close to the equator. This means it stays light for about the same length of time throughout the year. Although the length of the days naturally varies somewhat, you can assume about 12 hours of daylight. The sun rises at 6 a.m. and sets again around 6:30 p.m.
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