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Best time to visit Zanzibar

Month-by-month weather, crowds, prices, and festival calendar — so you know exactly when to book.

Best time to visit Zanzibar, Tanzania

Month-by-month breakdown of weather, crowds, prices, and seasonal highlights.

Month	Weather	Crowds	Prices	Highlights
January	24-31°C, humid, sunny with occasional short showers	moderate	moderate	• Post-Christmas lull • Great diving and snorkeling conditions ⚠ Still within the warmer season, can be quite humid.
February	24-32°C, very sunny, low humidity	moderate	moderate	• Excellent beach weather • Good visibility for diving ⚠ Often considered one of the hottest months.
March	24-31°C, increasing humidity, scattered showers	moderate	moderate	• Pre-monsoon calm • Good for cultural exploration ⚠ The start of the 'long rains' is usually mid-to-late March.
April	23-30°C, heavy rainfall, high humidity	low	low	• Fewer tourists • Lower prices ⚠ Peak of the 'long rains' – expect persistent, heavy downpours and potential travel disruption.
May	23-29°C, significant rainfall, high humidity	low	low	• Very quiet • Deeply discounted rates ⚠ Rainfall continues, though often less intense than April. Many lodges may have reduced services.
June	22-29°C, sunny with occasional brief showers	moderate	moderate	• End of the long rains • Pleasant temperatures • Whale shark season begins in Mafia Island (nearby) ⚠ Transition month from wet to dry season, can still have some lingering rain.
July	21-28°C, sunny, dry, pleasant breeze	moderate	moderate	• Ideal beach weather • Comfortable temperatures • Excellent for water sports ⚠ Start of the peak dry season.
August	21-28°C, sunny, dry, cooler ocean breezes	moderate	moderate	• Prime dry season conditions • Great for exploring Stone Town and beaches ⚠ One of the best months for overall weather.
September	22-29°C, sunny, dry, comfortable	moderate	moderate	• Continued dry season bliss • Good visibility for diving and snorkeling ⚠ Still excellent weather before the shoulder season.
October	23-30°C, sunny with a low chance of short showers	moderate	moderate	• Warmest of the dry months • Good for exploring spice farms ⚠ Transitioning towards the 'short rains'.
November	24-30°C, increasing chance of showers, humid	moderate	moderate	• End of the dry season • Lush landscapes ⚠ The 'short rains' typically begin mid-to-late November.
December	24-31°C, sunny with scattered tropical showers	high	high	• Festive season • Warmest ocean temperatures • Good for diving ⚠ Holiday season brings higher prices and crowds, but weather is generally good with brief, intense showers.

Annual events worth timing your trip around

April

Eid al-Fitr

Marks the end of Ramadan; celebrations can involve temporary closures of some businesses.

June

Eid al-Adha

Islamic festival of sacrifice; generally a quiet time with fewer tourist impacts.

July

Festival of the Dhow Countries (Zanzibar International Film Festival)

Celebrates cinema and culture from Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

July

Mwaka Kogwa

Zanzibari New Year celebration, particularly in villages; involves music, dancing, and mock battles.

February

Maulidi

Commemorates the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad; observed with prayers and processions.

December

Christmas

Secular and religious celebrations, with festive decorations and events, especially in tourist areas.

Insider timing tips

•The 'long rains' (April-May) bring heavy, persistent downpours, making travel difficult and many beach resorts less appealing.
•The dry seasons (June-October and December-February) offer the most reliable weather for beach activities and exploration, with July-September being the absolute peak.
•While December has great weather, it's also the most expensive and crowded month due to holiday travel.
•Shoulder months like June and November can offer a good balance of decent weather and fewer crowds, but come with a higher chance of rain.
•Zanzibar experiences two rainy seasons: the 'long rains' (March-May) and the 'short rains' (November-December). The latter are typically less disruptive.