Best Time to Visit Zanzibar

June to October: dry and easy

This is the stretch most people should aim for. From June to September the days are sunny and the air feels lighter. July and August are the driest months, with only about 14 mm of rain each. Evenings are pleasantly mild, so walking the lanes of Stone Town after dark is a pleasure rather than a sweat.

October is still sunny, with a few more showers. It's a good pick if you want the beaches without the busiest weeks. The sea is calm enough for snorkelling trips to Mnemba Atoll and for dhow (traditional sailboat) cruises off the north coast.

Late December to February: hot and busy

It's hotter now, and the air is stickier. Rain comes in short bursts rather than all day, so you still get plenty of beach time. February is the better of the three, with the least rain. December is rated Poor because it rains on most days, though the showers are often brief.

Christmas and New Year are peak season, so expect full hotels on Nungwi and Kendwa beaches in the north. Travelling with kids? School holidays in Europe make this a family-heavy time. If you dive, the visibility is usually good, and the heat makes the water feel very welcome.

March to May: the long rains

April is the wettest month by a distance, with 281 mm and rain on 27 days. Some roads turn to mud, and some beach hotels close for the season. March and May are less extreme, but they're still grey and damp.

The upside is the quiet. Rooms are cheaper, and you'll often have the sand to yourself. If you don't mind wet afternoons, you can spend them in Stone Town's museums, cafés and spice-scented markets. Just don't count on a tan.

November: the short rains

November brings a second, lighter wet spell. It rains on 18 days, but the showers tend to be short. It's a decent shoulder month if you want lower crowds and don't need guaranteed sun.

Events worth timing

The Zanzibar International Film Festival (Festival of the Dhow Countries) usually runs in June or July in Stone Town. The Mwaka Kogwa festival in Makunduchi, in the south, marks the Shirazi new year in July. Ramadan moves each year and can make daytime dining quieter in Stone Town, so check the dates before you book.