When to go to Zanzibar?

Stone Town's lanes are narrow, shaded and scented with clove and cinnamon, and its carved doorways reward slow walking. A spice tour inland shows where those smells begin, on smallholdings of vanilla, nutmeg and pepper. North, Nungwi and Kendwa lay out fine white sand, while the reefs around Mnemba atoll draw divers into clear, warm water.
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The best time to go
For the best weather in Zanzibar, aim for January to March, May to December.
See also: Where to go in January? · Where to go in February? · Where to go in March? · Where to go in May?
Month-by-month weather in Zanzibar
| Month | ☀️ h/day | 🌧️ mm | 🌡️ °C | Score /100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10.7 | 95 | 28 | 75 |
| February | 11.2 | 46 | 29 | 80 |
| March | 10.6 | 105 | 28 | 74 |
| April | 7.5 | 388 | 26 | 39 |
| May | 10.5 | 107 | 26 | 74 |
| June | 10.4 | 57 | 25 | 78 |
| July | 10.5 | 53 | 25 | 78 |
| August | 10.9 | 48 | 25 | 81 |
| September | 11.3 | 45 | 26 | 84 |
| October | 11.4 | 82 | 26 | 80 |
| November | 10.6 | 191 | 27 | 67 |
| December | 11.6 | 110 | 28 | 77 |
Estimated from 3 years of data. The score (0–100) combines sunshine, dry weather, clear skies and temperature.
The climate in brief
In Zanzibar, the sunniest month is December, and the driest is September (about 45 mm). Temperatures peak in February (about 29°C). Over the year, an average of 1,327 mm of rain falls, and 11 months in 12 offer ideal weather for a trip.
What to do in Zanzibar?
- Stone Town (UNESCO)
- Nungwi and Kendwa beaches
- Spice Island (Spice Tour)
- Diving and Mnemba atoll
Practical info
- Country: Tanzania
Destinations near Zanzibar
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