Weather in Zanzibar in April

How April compares

April is the 7th warmest month of the year in Zanzibar and ranks 24th of 134 destinations we compare for April - see where else is hot in April. Against London's average high of 13.5°C in April, Zanzibar is 15.1°C warmer by day and 19.8°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in April

The typical April day in Zanzibar peaks at 28.6°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 30.3°C or more. About 100% of days top 25°C and 1 in 6 pass 30°C. Nights average 24.9°C; one night in ten drops to 24.1°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest April day here reached 32.9°C (2019-04-25) and the coldest night 23.3°C (2008-04-27).

Rain in April

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 26 days with 1 mm or more, 215 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest April was 2020 with 517 mm, the driest 2003 with 48 mm. Humidity averages 84%, which makes the heat feel heavier than the thermometer suggests.

Sea temperature in April

The sea averages 28.8°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 28.3°C to 29.4°C. For the warmest sea here, come in March (29.0°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 4.1 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 11.9 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:24 and sets about 18:22 local time in mid-April. Average cloud cover is 66%.

Is April a good time to visit Zanzibar?

It is a reasonable choice: hot days but expect showers. The best months for Zanzibar on our scoring are September, August, July; months averaging 25°C or more: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec.

Hot days, warm nights and comfortable sea temperatures

The heat is consistent rather than extreme, with average daytime highs around 29°C, but humidity of 84% can make being active feel tiring. Keep strenuous plans flexible and avoid putting your busiest outdoor stretch at midday. Nights average around 25°C, so do not expect much cooling after sunset; light, loose clothing and accommodation with effective cooling make sense. The sea averages 28.8°C, making water temperature a clear plus for swimmers who dislike a chilly dip. That warmth does not guarantee suitable swimming conditions on any particular day, though. Let the weather and local advice determine when to enter the water.

Rain is the main reason to reconsider

With about 26 rainy days, rain belongs in your plans rather than in a backup scenario you expect never to use. The figures do not tell you when showers will arrive or how long they will last, so avoid assuming mornings or afternoons will reliably stay dry. Pack lightweight rain protection and allow room to rearrange outdoor time. Average sunshine of 4.1 hours within 11.9 hours of daylight leaves plenty of daylight that is not sunny. With a flight from London taking about 10 hours, think carefully if sunshine is the main reward you want from the journey. If your dates are flexible, September, August and July are better overall weather choices.