Best Time to Visit Zanzibar: A Month-by-Month Guide
Is there a best time to visit Zanzibar?
Lovers of the sea and oceans will tell you that any time around the beautiful blue waters is the best time. Zanzibar Island in Tanzania is one of the most popular beach holidays in the continent and perhaps the most sought-after one in all the land of Tanzania. Though the best time to visit Zanzibar would probably be from June to October, going there at any time throughout the year is quite a feast for oneself. We have curated a month-by-month guide for what each month is like at this beautiful location.
Visiting Zanzibar between the months of January and July
If you’re not too bothered by the humidity and heat, then these months might be a good time for you to visit Zanzibar. Especially, if you’re interested in diving, then these months might even be the best time to visit Zanzibar. In the first three months of the year, the long rains have not yet arrived, and the atmosphere is the best that it can be for a fantastic underwater dive, where you can delve deep into the beautiful blues, and explore the life that thrives many feet below the ocean, the coral reefs and the lagoons- and truly live a once in a lifetime experience.
Then, as the months go on, during the months of April and May, the ‘long rains’ arrive in Tanzania, and this is also probably the most rainy time of the year. If you’re a lover of the rains, and have always rushed outside when you hear the clouds rumbling, then this might be one of the best times to visit Tanzania as you get to experience your favorite season in an even more scenic landscape. But the beaches are extremely wet during this time, and you do not get to witness dazzling sunsets, or the beautiful sea washed by daylight. If a tropical beach holiday is what you’re looking for, then the rains might put a damper on your holiday dreams.
Finally, the best season to visit Zanzibar comes to town, which is during the month of June. The rains begin to clear, and the weather conditions slowly become perfect for a beach holiday and, spending long warm days under the sunlit beach and playing around the endless blue waters. This is when the unparalleled best time to visit Zanzibar for the best holiday strikes.
Visiting Zanzibar between the months of August to October
The forthcoming warmth on the island can be felt in August, and it is the last of months when the weather is cool. Analyzing the Zanzibar weather by month provides a decisive idea while also helping you out in your decision on what is the best time to go to Zanzibar.
September is simply a wondrous month all over the island of Zanzibar, clearly making it to the list of the best times to visit Zanzibar. However, notably, the Mafia archipelago offers another wonder- turtle hatching! However, Scuba enthusiasts need to be a bit vary while planning their dives, because not all areas along the shore are as easy, and some do tend to get quite rough during this time.
October is again considered one of the best times to visit Zanzibar- the wind is calm, the sea beautiful, and the skies are so worth gazing at. The ocean waters are not cold anymore, and the time before the November rains begin is truly a pleasant one in Zanzibar.
Visiting Zanzibar in the months of November and December
During November and December, the short rains begin to take over the island of Zanzibar. But remember- these rains are short, and one can usually expect to experience light showers, as the rains during this time are not heavy. You can easily enjoy some activities along the beach, even on days it rains, like having fun at a beach bar and enjoying a relaxing massage nearby.
Weather in Zanzibar in December does not really witness any massive changes suddenly, however, sunshine and tiny bits of warmth do make their way to the island around the holiday season, and one can expect the rains to begin to fade away during this time. However, the Zanzibar weather in December is most suitable for a visit to Mafia Island, where you get the opportunity to enjoy an underwater dive with white sharks. If that is what you’re interested in, then this might be the best time to visit Tanzania for you.
In Conclusion:
Whether you’re a beach bum or a safari enthusiast, a trip to Africa should be a must on your bucket list! Trips to Zanzibar are often combined with safari tours and game drives at other places in Africa, or even with a hiking tour, aiming to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. In any case, you are likely to love our time on the beauty that is Zanzibar island, and this month by month guide to what is the best time to visit Zanzibar will help you in making the right decision. Whether it is the hot, humid weather in February, or the mildly rainy Zanzibar weather in November, getting an idea of the various seasons and their time periods in Zanzibar will also help you in deciding which activities you want to include most in your trip and what is the best time to go to Tanzania so you can experience them.
