Zanzibar Weather and Climate 

Although the islands of Zanzibar  are part of Tanzania, the weather and climate are a little different on the islands compared to other parts of the country. Tanzania has many different altitudes and terrains making the weather patterns vary throughout the regions. 

Zanzibar is hot all year round making it a fantastic beach destination. There are two rainy seasons though which can cause some issues with activities you might have planned during the afternoon. 

Visiting during the dry season (June through October) is perfect for avoiding the rain. November and December see light rainfall so you can still plan a trip during this time without the weather interfering with your plans. 

Here is a month-by-month guide to the weather in Zanzibar so you know what to expect when planning your holiday. 

January 

The first month of the year is usually a dry month. The temperatures range from 24.7 °C (76.5 °F) to 32.8 °C (91 °F). Humidity is around 75%. Most days out of the month are sunny, but there might be some overcast skies in the afternoons. 

February 

February is the hottest month of the year. The temperatures range from 24.5 °C (76.2 °F) to 33.1 °C (91.6 °F). Most days are dry, but there is an average of 7 rainy days spread throughout the month. 

March 

March is the first month of the “long rains” season. It will downpour every day, but not all day. The most common hours for rain are in the afternoon. As the rain increases, so does the humidity. It’s usually around 80% or above. Daily temperatures are between 24.8 °C (76.6 °F) to 32.8 °C (91 °F). 

April 

April sees a large amount of rain with about 18 days out of the month seeing downpours in the afternoon. Daily temperatures are between 24.7 °C (76.5 °F) to 30.8 °C (87.5 °F).

May 

May is the last month of the “long rains” season. Average temperatures are between 24 °C (75.2 °F) to 29.9 °C (85.8 °F). The evenings and mornings might get a little cool as the dry season approaches. 

June 

June is the first month of the dry season. Average daily temperatures are between 23.2 °C (73.7 °F) to 29.4 °C (85 °F). It’s a great time to visit Zanzibar because the rain is diminishing and prices for lodging are still low compared to the later months of the dry season.

July 

July is also part of the dry season and the weather is not that much different from June. Daily temperatures are between 22.3 °C (72.2 °F) to 29.1 °C (84.4 °F). 

August 

August is the coldest month of the year with temperatures between 21.6 °C (70.9 °F) to 29.5 °C (85.1 °F). The humidity starts to decrease during August as the next few months see little to no rainfall. 

September 

September in Zanzibar is another month of comfortable temperatures ranging from 21.3 °C (70.4 °F) to 30.4 °C (86.7 °F). Many people come to Zanzibar in September after visiting Serengeti to see the wildebeests crossing the Mara River as part of the Great Migration.

October 

October is technically part of the dry season in Zanzibar, but the rains can start early. Sometimes it begins to rain in mid to late October. Average temperatures are between 22.5 °C (72.4 °F) to 31 °C (87.9 °F).

November

November is the first month of the “short rains” season. It doesn’t rain all day and the rains are not as heavy as during the “long rains” season in April through May. You can expect it to rain for about half the days out of the month. Daily temperatures are between 23.5 °C (74.2 °F) to 31 °C (87.7 °F).

December 

December is another month of the “short rains” season. It rains about 13 days out of the month. Like November, it will not rain all day and the rains are not heavy. Temperatures range between 24.4 °C (75.8 °F) to 32 °C (89.6 °F).

Zanzibar’s Hot Climate 

Zanzibar is a tropical island with warm days all year. The hottest season is from December to March. There is high humidity during this time as well. Since the beaches are always breezy though, you can still relax in the sand without overheating. 

May to August is a little cooler, but the overall weather is still warm. You’ll find that you can be comfortable in the water and out on the beach without being too cold or too hot. On the hottest days, Zanzibar’s oceans are always ready to welcome you and help you cool off. 

Zanzibar’s Swimming Conditions 

The water is always warm in Zanzibar. In August and September, the water is a little cooler, but still perfect for swimming. Average temperatures are 25.5 °C (78) °F. 

December through April have the hottest water temperatures with an average of 28.5/29.5 °C (83/85 °F). 

No matter what time of year you come to Zanzibar, you can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, and boating. 

Zanzibar and Inclement Weather

Since many tropical destinations around the world are infamous for hurricanes, cyclones, and other inclement weather conditions; many people wonder if there is ever any dangerous weather in Zanzibar. 

Zanzibar has not experienced a full-force cyclone since 1872. Although the island is near the equator where cyclones are able to form, the islands rarely experience flooding or storm surges. 

During the rainy seasons, thunderstorms and lightning are possible though. 

Getting Ready to Visit Zanzibar 

The best time to visit Zanzibar is June through October. The weather is mild with warm temperatures. You also don’t have to worry about rain ruining your beach and water activities. Zanzibar’s weather and climate are much like any other tropical destination around the world.

You can expect sun, humidity, and warm ocean water for the majority of the year. Some months of the year see heavy rainfall, but inclement weather is rare. 

If you’re ready to book your Zanzibar holiday, we can help you with all the logistics and planning. Zanzibar is ready to welcome you for a beautiful beach vacation. 

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