Find out when is the best time to go to Zanzibar. We tell you about the weather by month: air and water temperature, convenient time for a beach holiday and rainy seasons. Reviews of tourists about the climate in the "African Maldives".
Take a look: How to go to Tanzania now - there you will find fresh reviews of tourists, conditions of entry in case of a pandemic and prices for tours. See also the list of open countries.
When is the best time to relax in Zanzibar
The island archipelago belongs to Tanzania and is located in a zone of warm and humid equatorial climate. There are no sudden changes in temperature in Zanzibar. During the year, the air is warmed up from + 28 ° C to + 35 ° C, and the water in the Indian Ocean has a temperature of + 27 ... + 29 ° C.
Despite the fact that the weather is even, Zanzibar has two rainy and two dry seasons. In October-November and from March to May in the archipelago it is humid and hot +30 ... + 33 ° С. There is more rainfall in low seasons. However, the islands are close to the equator, so the rains in Zanzibar are not as long as in India, Thailand or Cambodia. During the rainy seasons, discounts on tours and hotels reach 50-70%.
When is the best time to go on vacation to Zanzibar? Most tourists come during the high seasons - from January to February and from June to October. During these periods, vacationers are waiting for real African warmth, cloudless skies and dry sunny weather.
January
Water and air temperature. The archipelago is located in the southern hemisphere, so the calendar summer begins in January in Zanzibar. Air temperature + 35 ° С during the day and + 28 ° С at night. The water in the Indian Ocean is also warm + 28.5 ° С.
Weather. In January, the islands are dry. There are only 5 rainy days per month, and the amount of precipitation does not exceed 80 mm. There are a lot of clouds, but this does not interfere with a good tan!
Reviews of tourists. If you want a break from the freezing and snowy winter, come to Zanzibar! A holiday in January is suitable for a beach holiday, deep sea fishing and sea turtle watching.
February
Water and air temperature. It's hot on the islands. Air temperature +32 ... + 35 ° С. The water in the Indian Ocean is comfortable + 28.5 ° С, and you don't want to leave it.
Weather. February in Zanzibar is the driest month of the year. It rains for a day or two, with only 42 mm of rainfall. Clear days 7. In cloudy weather, the sun is still active, so do not forget to take a good sunscreen on the road!
Reviews of tourists. February is the best time to travel to Zanzibar with children. The bright sun, warm ocean and sea air will help the child to get stronger and heal from the autumn-winter colds. Holidays in winter are suitable for fans of surfing. It is easy to catch good wind and waves near the islands at this time of year.
March
Water and air temperature. March is the warmest month in Zanzibar. The average air temperature during the day is + 33 ° С. Sea water temperature +29 ... + 30 ° С.
Weather. The rains begin in the last decade of the month, so the first half of March can be considered a continuation of the high season. With the arrival of the monsoons, everything changes. The level of precipitation rises to 112 mm.
Reviews of tourists. The high temperature and humidity in March makes it hard to breathe in Zanzibar. But many tourists do not see this as a big problem and are happy to relax on the islands.
April
Water and air temperature. In the middle of the Zanzibar autumn, the air temperature is high +30 ... + 32 ° С, the sea water is warmed up to + 29 ° С.
Weather. April is the peak of the rainy season in Zanzibar. It can rain for 3.5 weeks and the rainfall is over 450 mm. The rest of the time, the sky over the islands is covered with clouds.
Reviews of tourists. High humidity increases the feeling of heat, so not everyone likes a vacation in Zanzibar in April. There is also a positive point. Local hotels offer big discounts during low season, so you can save money.
May
Water and air temperature. In May, the average daytime temperature is +30 ... + 31 ° С. The water in the ocean is getting a little cooler + 28 ° С.
Weather. May weather in Zanzibar is similar to April, but winds are added to the frequent rains. The sun begins to peep out from behind the clouds only towards the end of the month.
Reviews of tourists. Heavy rains can be so heavy that local authorities close hotels and entire islands for security reasons. True, this rarely happens. Usually, even during the rainy season, tourists have time to relax at sea and go on excursions.
June
Water and air temperature. In June, winter comes to the archipelago. As expected, it starts with a cold snap. Zanzibar is located near the equator, so the air temperature only drops to + 30 ° C. Sea water remains warm + 28 ° С.
Weather. The rains in Zanzibar are coming to an end - the number of days with precipitation is reduced to 1-2. Compared to May, there are more sunny days. In June, tourists are pleased with the cloudless sky.
Reviews of tourists. Vacationers enjoy pleasant dry weather, swim in the azure waters of the ocean and sunbathe on the beaches. Many go to Stone Town, a city that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Popular boat trips, excursions to places where spices are grown, to Prison Island and to the Jozani Forest.
July
Water and air temperature. In July, the air temperature during the day is +29 ... + 30 ° С, at night it is slightly cooler +24 ... + 25 ° С. Sea water becomes colder + 26 ... + 27 ° С.
Weather. In July, there is little rainfall in Zanzibar - the amount of precipitation does not exceed 60-70 mm. In mainland Tanzania at this time, the real hell, and on the coast you can feel quite comfortable. Low humidity and fresh sea breezes soften the heat perfectly.
Reviews of tourists. Midsummer is the best time to go to Zanzibar for fans of windsurfing and kitesurfing. In July, the archipelago has a steady wind and there are good waves to ride.
August
Water and air temperature. Zanzibar winter is slowly coming to an end. The air temperature remains the same +29 ... + 30 ° С, and the water in the ocean cools down to + 26 ° С.
Weather. Rainfall in August is rare. There are no more than 5 rainy days per month. There are 11 clear days. The rest of the time the sky over the islands is covered with light white clouds.
Reviews of tourists. In August, the high season in Zanzibar continues. There are a lot of people in the resorts, so the prices for tours and hotels are high. August is considered one of the best months for excursions, hiking, yachting, diving and snorkeling.
September
Water and air temperature. At a time when we have a rainy autumn, the calendar spring comes to Zanzibar. In September, the weather changes little. Air temperature +29 ... + 30 ° С, and sea water +26 ... + 27 ° С.
Weather. There is no need to be afraid of rain. In September, there are no more than 4 days with precipitation. Excellent conditions for a beach holiday!
Reviews of tourists. Because of the winds on the islands, the heat is practically not felt. Tourists sunbathe on the shore and swim for hours in the ocean.
October
Water and air temperature. October weather in Zanzibar is similar to September. Air temperature +29 ... + 30 ° С. The water in the ocean is warmed up to +26 ... + 27 ° С.
Weather. For about a third of the month, the sky is cloudless. The amount of precipitation increases to 95 mm. There are short warm rains 1-2 times a week.
Reviews of tourists. Despite the high humidity, Europeans willingly come to Zanzibar in October.
November
Water and air temperature. The last month of the calendar spring is hot in Zanzibar. The average air temperature during the day is + 32 ° С, and at night + 28 ° С. The water in the Indian Ocean is getting even warmer + 28 ° С.
Weather. The rainy season in October and November is called "small". Typically, Zanzibar receives the same amount of rainfall as in March. November showers are short-lived.They don't go every day, so tourists don't pay too much attention to the vagaries of the weather.
Reviews of tourists. In addition to beach recreation, vacationers feed giant turtles, swim on light sailing boats dow and go to the reserved "Jozani Forest" to see unusual monkeys - red colobus.
December
Water and air temperature. Zanzibar is hot in December. The air temperature does not drop below + 30 ° С. The sea is warm and pleasant for swimming + 29 ° С.
Weather. With the onset of calendar summer, the number of sunny days on the islands increases to 20 per month. It rains 2 times a week, but these are short showers that do not affect the rest by the sea in any way.
Reviews of tourists. At the beginning of the winter tourist season, the influx of tourists is large. Tourists come to Zanzibar to enjoy beach activities, travel to national parks, do water sports, and celebrate Christmas and New Years.
