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Furthermore, we analyzed all climate data and provide a recommendation about which months are best to visit Zanzibar for your holiday.
Climate Overview
18 °C to 32 °C
25 °C to 30 °C
1.85 – 15.79 in (5 – 17 Days of Rain)Show temperatures in degree
Geographical location
Table of Contents
Zanzibar (also written Zanzibar) is an archipelago off the mainland of Tanzania and has the status of a semi-autonomous sub-state.
This means that the former British protectorate of Zanzibar still enjoys special status in Tanzania. Zanzibar has its own government, a president and a parliament.
After several revolts as a result of its declaration of independence, the archipelago finally became part of the new state of Tanzania together with Tanganyika in April 1964. The Zanzibar archipelago includes the two islands Pemba and the main island Unguja, which is perceived by tourists as “the island Zanzibar”.
The administrative area also includes several smaller islands. Even today Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim (the mainland of Tanzania is mostly Christian) and especially in the capital Stone Town – also called Zanzibar city – the oriental heritage of the former sultanate can still be felt in everyday life.
The islands of Zanzibar were under the rule of the Sultanate of Oman from 1698 to 1861.
Climate in Zanzibar
When we look at the climate in Zanzibar, we mainly refer to the main island Unguja, where there are numerous first-class hotels and beach resorts in addition to Stone Town, which is well worth seeing. Nevertheless, our climate tables and recommendations also apply to all other islands of the Zanzibar archipelago. In principle, a strongly tropical climate prevails due to its location in the immediate vicinity of the equator.
This is characterized by high temperatures all year round with values above 29 °C (during the day), even at night the thermometer never falls below 18 °C during the year. The Indian Ocean is bathing all year round with water temperatures between 25 °C in August and 30 °C in March. The weather is determined by two dry seasons and two rainy seasons in Zanzibar.
The short rainy season lies with the onset of the Kaskazi monsoon in November and December with rather light rains, whereby especially the second half of December around Christmas can be very pleasant again. The great Zanzibar rainy season from mid-March to the end of May is much more pronounced, the weather is now very changeable and some hotels are closing temporarily.
Best Time to Visit Zanzibar: Overview
JanuaryJan Best time to traveltime PerfectPerf. climate in Zanzibar | FebruaryFeb Best time to traveltime PerfectPerf. climate in Zanzibar | MarchMar Beginning of Rainy SeasonRainy Season sticky + wetsticky | AprilApr Rainy SeasonRainy Season up to 16.18 in of rainof rain | MayMay Rainy SeasonRainy Season up to 10.04 in of rainof rain | JuneJun Best time to traveltime PerfectPerf. climate in Zanzibar |
JulyJul Best time to traveltime PerfectPerf. climate in Zanzibar | AugustAug Best time to traveltime PerfectPerf. climate in Zanzibar | SeptemberSep Best time to traveltime PerfectPerf. climate in Zanzibar | OctoberOct Best time to traveltime PerfectPerf. climate in Zanzibar | NovemberNov Small Rainy SeasonRainy Season up to 8.9 in of rainof rain | DecemberDec Small Rainy SeasonRainy Season mostly pleasant in second halfmostly pleasant in second half |
When is the best time to travel on Zanzibar?
During the rainy season the prices for flights and hotels on Zanzibar are usually comparatively low, but there is always the danger of clouds, stronger wind and rain. The best time to visit Zanzibar is therefore in the very hot months from the end of December to the end of February.
This period is particularly popular with Europeans and is therefore the main season in Zanzibar.
Our recommendation for the best travel season is above all the long dry season from June to October, as there is now the perfect mixture of good weather and manageable visitor numbers on this dreamlike island in the Indian Ocean. This”tropical winter” on Zanzibar and other islands on the coast of East Africa (e.g. Mafia or in Mozambique) cools down pleasantly at night and is very well bearable during the day with around 50-60% air humidity.
Climate Chart Zanzibar
Stone Town
Show temperatures in degree
Source of Data: German Weather Service (Offenbach) and Wikipedia
Climate Table Zanzibar
In the following, you will find the climate table for Zanzibar, containing information about Temperatures, Precipitation, Water Temperatures, and Hours of Sunshine.Temperatures, Precipitation, Sunshine in Stone Town (Zanzibar)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day Temperature | 32° | 32° | 32° | 30° | 30° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 31° | 31° | 31° | 31° |
| Night Temperature | 23° | 23° | 23° | 23° | 22° | 20° | 20° | 19° | 18° | 19° | 20° | 23° |
| Water Temperature | 29° | 29° | 30° | 29° | 28° | 27° | 26° | 25° | 26° | 26° | 28° | 29° |
| Precipitation (inch) | 3.5 | 2.2 | 6.02 | 15.79 | 10.04 | 2.68 | 1.89 | 1.85 | 1.97 | 3.82 | 8.9 | 7.64 |
| Rainy days | 7 | 5 | 12 | 17 | 13 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 10 |
| Hours of Sunshine | 10 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 |
Show temperatures in degree
Temperatures
The annual average temperature in Stone Town is 25.7 °C.For comparison: London 11 °C, NYC 12 °C, LA 17.9 °C
Warmest month: February (27.5 °C)
Coldest month: August (24 °C)
The maximum water temperature in Stone Town is 30 °C. You can take a bath at these temperatures.
Months with water temperature of at least 21 °C (adequate for beach vacation):
all months
Precipitation
Overall annual precipitation: 66.3 inch on 105 rainy daysFor comparison: London 24.06 in, NYC 41.57 in, LA 12.01 in
Rainy season (months with more than 6.9 in of precipitation): April, May, November, and December
Overall precipitation in the rainy season: 42.36 in
You cannot expect snow in any month in Stone Town.
Sunshine
As our climate table shows, January is the sunniest month with an average of 10 hours of sunshine per day. Over the year, there are 9.1 hours of sunshine per day on average. For comparison: London has 4.1, NYC has 7 and LA has 8.9 hours of sunshine per day on average.Excursions and sightseeing
The paradisiacal backdrop on the kilometre-long, white sandy beach with a view of the sparkling Indian Ocean will put a smile on your lips even months after your Tanzania holiday. Zanzibar’s most beautiful beaches are not only among the best beaches in Africa, but also one of the most enchanting destinations of longing on earth.
But not only a bathing holiday on Zanzibar is an unforgettable highlight, but also the sights of the island have it all. Besides excursions to the Jozani Forest, a typical spice tour or a trip to Prison Island, the capital Stone Town is one of the highlights.
Visit the Arab Fort and House of Wonders, enjoy the delicacies of the night market in the Forodhani Gardens or learn more about the former slave trade in Mangapwani. Also combinations with a safari on the mainland of Tanzania are possible – you will not regret it!
Popular Activities
Zanzibar: Airport to Hotel Transfer
Activities
from 62 $ »
Enjoy a private, cheap, and safe transfer from Abeid Amani Karume International Airport to any hotel in Zanzibar.
Zanzibar: North Coast and Turtle Sanctuary Tour
Tours
from 105 $ »
This trip offers unique opportunities to learn more about how traditional dhow boats are built and all about the natural preservation of turtles. See beautiful beaches and get a chance to swim with turtles.
Zanzibar: Prison Island Tour with Lunch on the Sandbank
Tours
from 87 $ »
Immerse yourself in the magic of Zanzibar with a visit to the history-rich Prison Island, followed by a traditional BBQ lunch. Explore the island and learn about its past. Admire the array of wild tortoises that live there and relax on the sandy beach.
More attractions
Zanzibar: Stone Town & Spice Farm Tour with Lunch | Zanzibar: Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson | Zanzibar: Changuu Island and Stone Town Tour with Lunch | Zanzibar: Airport to Stone Town Private Transfer | Zanzibar: Mnemba Atoll Marine Reserve Snorkeling Tour | Arusha: Ngorongoro Crater Day Tour |Current Weather and Forecast
Current Weather in Stone Town (Station Zanzibar)
broken clouds, 31 °CClouds: 75 % Wind: 14 mph W
Air Pressure: 1010 hPa Humidity: 58 %
Air Pressure: 1010 hPa Humidity: 58 %
Last updated: 7th Feb 2023, 10:50 am
The next days …
| 7th Feb 2023 | 8th Feb 2023 | 9th Feb 2023 | 10th Feb 2023 | 11th Feb 2023 | 12th Feb 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 °C to 32 °C |  25 °C to 32 °C | 25 °C to 31 °C | 25 °C to 34 °C | 25 °C to 32 °C | 25 °C to 32 °C |
| 24 °C to 32 °C | 25 °C to 32 °C | 25 °C to 31 °C | 25 °C to 34 °C | 25 °C to 32 °C | 25 °C to 32 °C |
| Clouds: 98 % | Clouds: 43 % | Clouds: 60 % | Clouds: 85 % | Clouds: 90 % | Clouds: 47 % |
| No Precipitation | 0.02 in of rain | 0.06 in of rain | No Precipitation | No Precipitation | 0.02 in of rain |
Weather information provided by OpenWeatherMap. (CC BY-SA)
Show temperatures in degree
Tanzania: Regions
Zanzibar is part of the holiday destination Tanzania. We analyzed the climate for additional regions, in order to provide you with information about the best time to visit and the expected holiday weather:Best Time to Travel for the Regions
Stone Town: January, February, June, July, August, September, and October
Hottest Month
February: 32 °C
Day Temperature in Stone Town
February: 32 °CDay Temperature in Stone Town
Coldest Month
September: 18 °C
Night Temperature in Stone Town
September: 18 °CNight Temperature in Stone Town
Rainiest Month
April: 15.79 in
Rain in Stone Town
April: 15.79 inRain in Stone Town
Driest Month
August: 1.85 in
Rain in Stone Town
August: 1.85 inRain in Stone Town
Maximum Water Temperature
March: 30 °C
Water Temperature in Stone Town
March: 30 °CWater Temperature in Stone Town
Sunniest Month
January: 10 hours/day
Sunshine in Stone Town
January: 10 hours/daySunshine in Stone Town
Distances to Zanzibar
| London | New York | Los Angeles | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Town | 4620 mi | 7710 mi | 10040 mi |
Where’s Zanzibar?
Show Stone Town on MapContinent: Africa
All Holiday Destinations in AfricaShare your Experience and Win
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Zanzibar: Experiences of our Visitors
I was in Kiwengwa for eight days in January. The weather was sunny on all days and pleasantly warm to hot, about 30 °. On most days there was a light wind along the coast, which also made the high temperatures very well tolerated. Perfect bathing weather, but also suitable for activities. The evenings were a bit windier overall and a light jacket was sometimes appropriate.
For animal lovers I strongly recommend Cheetah’s Rock (register in advance see website), otherwise Stonetown is a nice tour and of course you should have visited a spice plantation.
Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent
The weather was very nice overall. There were between six and new hours of sunshine daily, often interrupted by short showers.
Weather Rating: 4 stars – Good
short showers no longer than 10 minutes on 5 days
1 day of continuous rain
the trip took 18 days
Weather Rating: 4 stars – Good
Honeymoon in September 2016 on the spice island Zanzibar: Even today, months later, we can’t get out of the swarm. It was simply indescribably beautiful, fascinating, enchanting. The colours of the ocean, beaches and palm trees make even the Maldives pale with envy and the locals are very traditional, but extremely friendly and warm. For us it was also the best travel time for Zanzibar, it couldn’t have been better. During the day it is hot all year round anyway, but at night the temperatures in September go down to a pleasant 18-20 degrees, so that you can take a deep breath. This is very good for the body, it is not too humid and just perfect! Otherwise sun, sun, sun and blue sky.
Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent
In mid-November we had had enough of the work stress and simply had to get out of the grey office routine. Very spontaneously we stumbled across an offer for the Pongwe Beach Hotel and flew to Zanzibar Island just one week later. Only on arrival did we get an idea that we were in the middle of the second rainy season. So it was actually overcast on some days and the rain wasn’t long in coming. Nevertheless, we still had 5 sunny days and would do it again in the end, because the prices were super low, the attractions were less visited and the hotel staff tried even harder. Anyway, Zanzibar is so beautiful that we knew how to keep ourselves busy even on a grey day.
Weather Rating: 2 stars – Tricky
we were over valentine’s day in february on zanzibar, flew in with condor over mombasa (only a short stopover on the way) and shortly after landed in paradise. we could experience a dreamlike island in fantastic weather 2 weeks, the wonderful baraza resort & spa certainly also contributed its part to an unforgettable vacation. weather was very warm, but every day sunshine and only on the departure day we had a short 15-minute shower.
Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent
Considering that the ocean off the coast of Zanzibar drops very slowly and that even after many meters you are knee-deep in the water, you could describe our December weather as perfect bathing weather. Sunny, over 30 degrees Celsius and cloudless!
Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent
Zanzibar in December, isn’t it the rainy season on the island? Well we took the risk and spent Christmas and New Year’s Eve 2014/15 on Zanzibar: It rained only once in the whole time and that was a complete night through. During the day we had pure sun on all days, always over 30 degrees and fantastic bathing weather. The Indian Ocean was calm and bright in its most beautiful colours, there was no seaweed or other disturbances on the east coast (Pwani Beach) or on the west side (Stone Town). In the evening it was occasionally a bit muggy, but overall bearable. Absolutely top weather!
Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent