Weather in Zanzibar in February

How February compares

February is the 1st warmest month of the year in Zanzibar and ranks 11th of 134 destinations we compare for February - see where else is hot in February. Against London's average high of 7.9°C in February, Zanzibar is 22.8°C warmer by day and 24.1°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in February

The typical February day in Zanzibar peaks at 30.7°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 31.9°C or more. About 100% of days top 25°C and almost every pass 30°C. Nights average 26.1°C; one night in ten drops to 25.2°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest February day here reached 34.3°C (2019-02-16) and the coldest night 23.8°C (2018-02-18).

Rain in February

Some rain (4-8 rainy days): about 8 days with 1 mm or more, 36 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest February was 1998 with 113 mm, the driest 1997 with 1 mm. Humidity averages 75%, which makes the heat feel heavier than the thermometer suggests.

Sea temperature in February

The sea averages 28.4°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 27.9°C to 29.0°C. For the warmest sea here, come in March (29.0°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 5.3 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 12.2 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:28 and sets about 18:47 local time in mid-February. Average cloud cover is 57%.

Is February a good time to visit Zanzibar?

Yes - it is one of the better months: hot days, manageable rain. 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.

Plan around the heat, not just the sunshine

The main catch is how little relief you get from the heat. With humidity at 75%, light, loose clothing makes more sense than anything heavy, and air conditioning is worth prioritising when choosing your room. Days reach 30°C on 82% of occasions, so treat hot weather as the norm rather than a possibility. Keep more active plans for the morning, leave room for shade and breaks around midday, and carry water when you're out. Evenings remain warm enough for light clothing; they aren't a reliable chance to cool down. February suits travellers who enjoy sustained warmth more than those who prefer fresh nights.

Warm sea, with some rain and cloud

The sea is a clear reason to choose February: at 28.4°C, it should feel warm rather than bracing. That makes swimming appealing, although warm water may offer less cooling relief than you'd hope for on a hot afternoon. There are about 8 rainy days, so allow some flexibility for outdoor plans and pack a light waterproof layer. Don't assume rain will last all day, but don't count on it being confined to convenient overnight showers either. Sunshine averages about 5.3 hours a day, meaning daylight isn't the same as uninterrupted sun. February works best if you're happy to mix swimming and outdoor time with shaded breaks.