Zanzibar weather by month

When to go to Zanzibar

For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. April is the wettest month (215 mm, about 26 rainy days) and September the driest (23 mm). The sea is warmest in March at 29.0°C and coolest in August at 25.6°C.

Getting there

A direct flight from London Gatwick to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ, 7 km from Zanzibar) takes roughly 10 h - long-haul (7 h+) by UK standards. Time-zone: Africa/Dar es_Salaam.

Records and extremes, 1991-2020

The hottest day recorded in Zanzibar between 1991 and 2020 reached 35.2°C on 10 March 2017; the coldest fell to 19.9°C on 7 August 1996. In February one day in ten tops 31.9°C and about 82% of days pass 30°C; in July one night in ten drops to 22.0°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was April 2020 with 517 mm, against a April average of 215 mm.

January to May: hotter weather, then frequent rain

January and February suit travellers who want heat and warm swimming water without the frequent rain that follows. January averages 30°C by day with 10 rainy days; February reaches 31°C with 8. Nights stay around 26°C, so prioritise breathable clothing and comfortable sleeping conditions rather than warm evening layers. March marks a clear change: daytime warmth remains, but 21 rainy days make fixed outdoor plans less practical. April is the hardest month for weather-dependent holidays, with 26 rainy days and 4 hours of sunshine. May eases to 28°C, though 20 rainy days still favour a flexible schedule. Choose this wetter stretch only if sunshine is not the main purpose of your trip.

June to October: the strongest stretch for outdoor plans

June brings a useful improvement, with days around 27°C and 11 rainy days, making it a gentler option for travellers who dislike stronger heat. July stays at 27°C while rain becomes less frequent. August and September each average 7 rainy days, but September is warmer and sunnier, with 29°C afternoons and 8 hours of sunshine. These are the clearest choices for spending much of your holiday outside, though keeping plans flexible still makes sense. The sea sits at 26°C from July to September, cooler than in spring but still warm for swimming. October remains a reasonable option at 29°C, although its 11 rainy days mean a greater chance of interruptions.

November and December: warm water, more weather compromises

November and December suit travellers who value warmth more than reliably dry days. November averages 29°C by day and 18 rainy days; December edges up to 30°C with 20 rainy days. Both have sea temperatures of 28°C and around 6 hours of sunshine, so wetter weather does not mean a cold holiday. The practical catch is having to leave room for rain rather than building every day around time outdoors. Nights average 25°C, keeping evenings warm and making light clothing useful throughout the day. Pack a lightweight waterproof alongside sun protection, and avoid treating the sunshine average as a promise of uninterrupted clear skies.