When is the best time to visit Zanzibar?

June to October and December to February are dry, sunny and ideal for the beach. March is hot and humid, and the long rains in April and May close some hotels.

Which beach should I choose?

The north (Nungwi and Kendwa) has swimming at all tides and the best sunsets. The east coast (Paje, Jambiani and Matemwe) has wide lagoons, kitesurfing and quieter hotels, but the tide goes far out. Stay in Stone Town for history and food.

How do I get to Zanzibar after a safari?

Scheduled flights connect Arusha, Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti airstrips with Zanzibar in one to two hours. Fast ferries from Dar es Salaam take about two hours.

Do I need special insurance for Zanzibar?

Zanzibar requires international visitors to hold the government's inbound travel insurance, bought online before arrival. It is separate from your own travel insurance. Check the current requirement before you travel and we'll help you arrange it.

Zanzibar is a mostly Muslim island. Cover your shoulders and knees in Stone Town and the villages; swimwear is fine on hotel beaches and by the pool.

How many nights should I stay?

Three to five nights is ideal after a safari, with one or two nights in Stone Town before you head to the beach.

Is the sea good for swimming?

It depends on where you stay. On the east coast the tide goes out a long way, so swimming is best around high tide. In the north you can swim at almost any time of day.

What money should I bring?

The Tanzanian shilling is the local currency, and US dollars are widely accepted. Hotels take cards; carry cash for markets, taxis and tips.

When is the best time to visit Zanzibar?

June to October and December to February are dry, sunny and ideal for the beach. March is hot and humid, and the long rains in April and May close some hotels.

Which beach should I choose?

The north (Nungwi and Kendwa) has swimming at all tides and the best sunsets. The east coast (Paje, Jambiani and Matemwe) has wide lagoons, kitesurfing and quieter hotels, but the tide goes far out. Stay in Stone Town for history and food.

How do I get to Zanzibar after a safari?

Scheduled flights connect Arusha, Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti airstrips with Zanzibar in one to two hours. Fast ferries from Dar es Salaam take about two hours.

Do I need special insurance for Zanzibar?

Zanzibar requires international visitors to hold the government's inbound travel insurance, bought online before arrival. It is separate from your own travel insurance. Check the current requirement before you travel and we'll help you arrange it.

Zanzibar is a mostly Muslim island. Cover your shoulders and knees in Stone Town and the villages; swimwear is fine on hotel beaches and by the pool.

How many nights should I stay?

Three to five nights is ideal after a safari, with one or two nights in Stone Town before you head to the beach.

Is the sea good for swimming?

It depends on where you stay. On the east coast the tide goes out a long way, so swimming is best around high tide. In the north you can swim at almost any time of day.

What money should I bring?

The Tanzanian shilling is the local currency, and US dollars are widely accepted. Hotels take cards; carry cash for markets, taxis and tips.

Zanzibar Travel Guide: Beaches & Stone Town

Zanzibar travel guide

The Zanzibar archipelago lies just off the coast of mainland Tanzania, a short flight from Arusha or the Serengeti, which makes it the perfect place to end a safari. Its main island, Unguja, is usually simply called Zanzibar. For centuries it was a hub of Indian Ocean trade, and its culture blends Swahili, Arab, Persian, Indian and European influences. You see it most clearly in Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of winding alleys, carved wooden doors, bustling markets and rooftop restaurants. Inland are the spice plantations that earned Zanzibar its nickname, and the Jozani Forest, home to the rare Zanzibar red colobus monkey. And then there are the beaches: powder-white sand and warm turquoise water all around the coast. The north, around Nungwi and Kendwa, has deeper water and is good for swimming at all tides. The east coast has wide lagoons, coral reefs and some of the island’s most stylish boutique hotels.