Zanzibar Activities

Zanzibar activities are of a variety and are carried out in the different beaches and towns found around the island. The island of Zanzibar is found on the Indian ocean and is part of the East African coast. Zanzibar island is popular among tourists during their safaris in Tanzania or other East African countries.

Activities to do in Zanzibar

Activities which are carried out around Zanzibar island mostly involve water based experiences and can also involve a tour of the islands towns and interacting with the locals and they include the following:

1. Snorkelling

Snorkelling is among the many activities to do around Zanzibar island and is carried out on different parts of the island. It takes about 4 hours to engage in snorkelling in Zanzibar and some places where the activity is carried out include Nungwi beach, Jambiani beach, Paje beach and the best spot for snorkelling on the island is Mnemba island located on the northern shore of Zanzibar. A variety of aquatic species can be spotted during snorkelling on Zanzibar island and they include clownfish, sea stars, sea urchins among others.

2. Dolphin tours

Another activity to do around Zanzibar island is dolphin tours which can be done in locations such as Kizimkazi, Mnemba island among others. The types of dolphins which can be seen around Zanzibar island include bottle nosed dolphins, humpback dolphins and spinner dolphins. The dolphin tours involve swimming with the dolphins as well as boat rides to where the dolphins live. The best time of the year to engage in dolphin tours on Zanzibar island is during the dry season.

3. Spice tours

Zanzibar is an island which is known for not only the white sand beaches but also for the different spices grown on the island. The spices grown on Zanzibar island include nutmeg, vanilla, cloves, cinnamon, pepper among others as well as a variety of tropical fruits. During a spice tour on Zanzibar island, tourists get to know how the spices are grown on the farms, try out the local food prepared using the spices and can also buy the spices.

4. Visiting the Prison island

The Prison island on Zanzibar is also among the many places to visit around the island and it is also referred to as Changuu island. Visiting Prison island while in Zanzibar starts with a boat ride for about 30 minutes from Stone town. Prison island is known for being a good place to see the giant Aldabra tortoises and is also a good location for snorkelling.

5. Dhow cruises

Taking a tour around Zanzibar island by dhow is another exciting experience to try out while on the island. Dhow cruises can be done at different times of the day including the morning hours and in the afternoon. This activity can be done as a private tour or as a group tour when visiting Zanzibar island. These dhows are operated by the locals and the tours can also involve visiting the places where the dhow building takes place.

6. Swimming

Leisure activities to do when visiting Zanzibar island include swimming which can be done in any places around the island. Swimming can be done in the waters of the Indian ocean as well as in the swimming pools at the hotels and resorts of Zanzibar island.

7. Jozani forest tour

Visiting the Jozani forest is another activity to do during beach holidays in Zanzibar and it is the only nature reserve on the island. Activities carried out around Jozani forest include guided nature walks or mangrove walks. The Jozani forest is also home to the red colobus monkey which is a rare species. A tour around this destination takes about 2 hours.

8. Beach walks

On the island of Zanzibar, beach walks are another activity that can be done at different hours of the day. Nungwi Beach, Kendwa Beach, Paje Beach, Jambiani Beach, Kiwengwa Beach, Matemwe Beach, Bwejuu Beach, and Kizimkazi Beach are just a few of the several beaches on Zanzibar Island. It is advised that visitors dress appropriately while wandering along the beach in order to show respect for the way of life of the locals.

9. Diving

Divers of all skill levels can participate in scuba diving while on their trips in Zanzibar, and while doing so, they are able to observe a variety of marine animals. Mnemba Island, the Wattabomi dive site, the Aquarium dive site, and the Magic Reef dive site are just a few of the diving locations near Zanzibar. The best time of year to go diving are during the months of July and August.

10. Safari blue tour

Another activity that is done while on a visit of Zanzibar island is the safari blue tour. This is one of the most popular activities to do on the island and it begins in Fumba village.

Cost of Zanzibar activities

The prices of these activities also varies and payment for the different activities on Zanzibar island can be made in USD or using the local currency which is Tanzania shillings. The activities on Zanzibar island can be done as group activities or as private tours and the cost of these tours varies. Private tours tend to be costly as compared to the group tours done on the island. An estimated cost of Zanzibar activities includes 50 USD per person for snorkeling, 40 USD per person for dolphin tours, 15 to 20 USD per person for spice plantation tours, 50 USD per person for a tour to Prison island, 40 USD per person for the dhow cruise tour among others. The prices of activities on Zanzibar island range from 5 USD to 150 USD or more.

Best time for activities on Zanzibar island

Zanzibar activities can be carried out around the island during anytime of the year including the dry season or the rainy season. The dry season in Zanzibar is experienced around January, February, June, July, August, September, October and December and these months are considered the best time for visiting the Zanzibar island due to the good weather conditions. The dry season is however also a time when many people visit the island for holiday and is considered a high season of travel. Holidays on Zanzibar island can also take place during the rainy season which takes place around March, April and May as well as around November.

How to get to Zanzibar island

There different ways to get to Zanzibar island during a holiday include flight and also using a ferry. The airport used during beach holidays in Zanzibar is Abeid Amani Karume international airport which is also the only airport on the island. For the option of using a ferry, tourists can get the ferry from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar island.