Wondering when is the best time to visit Zanzibar for a holiday? Like many other tropical islands, this Indian Ocean island has weather patterns that are marked by rainy and dry seasons. Zanzibar experiences two rainy seasons – the long rains, and the short rains. Needless to say, if you travel here in the middle of the long rains, you may not have the best holiday. Luckily, this island also has a drier season, which is typically when most visitors plan their holidays.
Because we know that planning your Zanzibar honeymoon or holiday should never be harder than it is, we have put together a mini guide. Keep on reading to get a better idea of the best time to visit Zanzibar, so that you can start planning your trip to this magical spice island off the coast of East Africa.
The Best Time to Visit Zanzibar
To help you get a better idea of the best time to visit Zanzibar, here are some of the typical conditions you can expect throughout the year…
January – February
January and February are both the perfect time to visit this part of the world. During these months, the weather is hot and dry, and the water is at its clearest. This is a good time for scuba diving and snorkelling.
March – May
In March, from the middle of the month, the weather begins to enter the long rains period. During this time, showers are frequent and long. The rains continue all through April and May. This is the worst time to visit, with most of the beaches being too wet to enjoy.
June – October
From June to September, the long rains slowly start to ease off, with occasional showers from time to time. The clearer weather continues all through October as well, with many sunny days enjoyed from here on out.
November – December
The short rains begin in November, with the weather getting hotter during this time. These showers never last long, meaning that you can enjoy a quick drink, massage, stroll around an indoor shop or enjoy a meal at your Zanzibar resort, then head back to the beach. The sun always returns, allowing you to enjoy the warmth after the showers.
Whichever time you decide to go, there is plenty of things to do in Zanzibar. We hope that this guide makes it a bit easier to plan your travels, knowing which is the worst and best time to visit Zanzibar.
