Zanzibar, backed by a rich history, is considered one of the most important destinations in Africa. It has some of the best and most beautiful beaches in the world. It is famous for its scenic beauty, wildlife watching, and incredible views of the dolphins during tours.
If you are looking to take a scenic route into the serene nature and wildlife while having the best adventure experience, Zanzibar is the island for you. Read on to learn more about the best time to visit this archipelago:
Best Time to Visit Zanzibar
The perfect time to visit this island country is anywhere between June and October, as the temperature slightly changes to make the weather more soothing and balmy for its visitors.
The temperature changes relatively from June to October, going as low as 20 degrees making it a perfect time to travel to Zanzibar.
Best Time to Visit Zanzibar to See Dolphins:
The best time of year to travel to this beautiful island for seeing and sailing around while having a beautiful view of the dolphins is in the dry season, which is between June and October.
Cheapest time to visit Zanzibar:
If you are looking to travel on a budget, then the best time to visit this alluring island is from March to May. This holiday spot is quite serene, peaceful and relaxing throughout the year. During this time one may get the best and cheapest hotel, flight, car rental costs, food, activities etc.
A Month-by-Month Guide to Visiting Zanzibar:
This archipelago is famously known for its aesthetically beautiful sunsets around the white sand beaches and azure waters. Though travellers may choose to explore this destination year-round, there are certain months that are more suitable to visit:
Zanzibar in January:
The year begins at Zanzibar, marking the beginning of the dry season, which is hot and humid. The average temperature here remains quite constant, but January is one of the hottest months, going as high as 35 degrees.
Visitors may experience a little thunderstorm around the afternoon, which clears out quickly without disturbing their travel plans. This is a great month for kite-surfers. Paje, Kiwenga, Kenda, Ras Kizimkazi are best during this time, also Chumbe and Prison islands are best around this time of the year.
Zanzibar in February:
February is the hottest month of this archipelago, with humidity going higher and higher until the clouds burst in March. The average temperature here ranges between 27 and 35 degrees.
Kaskazi and Paje are among the most popular places to visit during Feb in Zanzibar as they get relatively cooler. They have minimal chances of rain showers in the afternoon. It is the best time of the year in Zanzibar for dolphin excursions.
Zanzibar in March:
March brings in rain showers when the heavy rainfall arrives around the middle of the month. Until the rain pours in at this beautiful archipelago, the islands remain hot and humid, causing the beaches to bake under the sun. The weather around March is quite difficult to predict here because of its unpredictable rain timelines.
This month is great for diving and snorkelling, but adventure travellers looking to do wind activities must avoid travelling to this destination in March.
Zanzibar in April:
This month in Zanzibar is the most silent one as the temperature moves from hot and humid to cooler days and clear evenings. April in Zanzibar is a perfect time to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, ‘Stone Town’.
One may visit Pemba Island as the rainstorms here are quite short. It looks like a serene and beautiful green island. This month marks being right in the middle of the monsoon, so the good news is that it is the host for many birds, becoming the biggest bird migration in the country.
Zanzibar in May
The beginning of May sees heavy rainfall, but this month also marks the end of monsoon season in Zanzibar. The afternoon rains in this archipelago become shorter and the islands calmer during this month. It is the best time of the year for travellers seeking calm and cheaper hotels.
Zanzibar in June
The temperature in this month ranges between 23 and 26 degrees. This month marks the peak of the dry season in Zanzibar. It is one of the most sunny and dry months of the year. The cool south winds are in full flow during this month, making it ideal for wind surfers.
Paje is known as the kite surfing capital of Zanzibar and also offers wind based water sports. Around this time of the year the northern seas are a bit calmer which makes them good for diving and snorkelling.
Zanzibar in July:
The temperature in July in Zanzibar ranges from 18 to 28 degrees. It is the windiest month of Zanzibar, hence, it is the best month for kite surfing and other wind sports in Paje. It is a month of joyous cultural festivals which attracts a lot of local as well as international tourists.
Zanzibar in August:
This is among the cooler months of Zanzibar, where the temperature ranges between 21 and 32 degrees. Zanzibar experiences the most pleasant weather conditions from August to October. The weather transition period in Zanzibar during August makes it perfect for diving, sport fishing, deep sea boat tours, and much more.
Zanzibar in September:
This is one of the most sunny and dry months in Zanzibar islands. This month is best for deep diving as the deep diving channels are much calmer, and it is the beginning of the whale shark season. All across Zanzibar, it is a great time for deep-water scuba diving, deep-water fishing, and much more. Since it is one of the busiest months hence, it is best to make advance bookings and avail the best packages for Zanzibar.
Zanzibar in October:
The temperatures start to rise around mid-October, which means the water is warm and the sky is clear. The beaches in Zanzibar can get quite busy and full as the breeze around this time is quite soothing and refreshing. The end of the month marks the beginning of heavy rainfall in Zanzibar, hence, early this month, the beaches get busier. It is a perfect month with great weather for diving across the archipelago.
Zanzibar in November:
From the beginning of November, the temperature starts to rise, ranging between 22 and 30 degrees. The month is quite unpredictable as slow winds begin to hit the shores. Some days are stormy, while others are clear. The seas begin to startle, and therefore it is a great time of the year for dolphin spotting around Ras-Kizimkazi.
Zanzibar in December:
The weather conditions during December in Zanzibar will range from 25 to 28 degrees. The weather is perfectly pleasant for beach strolling with your partner.
Around this time, the humidity rises to 80% which is above average. For some this weather Zanzibar can be a dream come true, as the sea temperature ranges between 26 and 28 degrees, while for the rest it may not be.
Conclusion:
This beautiful fabled island is ideal for year-round travel, because of its soul-soothing temperature. There are basically two weather casts in Zanzibar – one is the dry season and other is the rainy season. So, either you may visit during the dry season which is between April and October to soak under the sun and enjoy the best of adventure activities or you may opt from November to March which is the rainy and wet season.
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