Weather in Zanzibar in January

How January compares

January is the 3rd warmest month of the year in Zanzibar and ranks 7th of 134 destinations we compare for January - see where else is hot in January. Against London's average high of 7.4°C in January, Zanzibar is 22.8°C warmer by day and 23.9°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in January

The typical January day in Zanzibar peaks at 30.2°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 31.3°C or more. About 100% of days top 25°C and 1 in 2 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 January day here reached 33.8°C (2019-01-20) and the coldest night 22.7°C (2018-01-24).

Rain in January

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 10 days with 1 mm or more, 44 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest January was 1998 with 218 mm, the driest 2003 with 4 mm. Humidity averages 76%, which makes the heat feel heavier than the thermometer suggests.

Sea temperature in January

The sea averages 28.3°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 27.6°C to 28.8°C. For the warmest sea here, come in March (29.0°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 5.4 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 12.3 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:19 and sets about 18:45 local time in mid-January. Average cloud cover is 56%.

Is January 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.

Expect heat that lasts into the evening

January suits travellers who enjoy proper heat rather than mild warmth. Around 63% of days reach 30°C, and humidity averages 76%, so allow for sticky conditions rather than assuming the temperature tells the whole story. Keep more active plans for the cooler parts of the day and leave room for shade and breaks around midday. Loose, breathable clothing will be more useful than heavy layers, while air conditioning is worth prioritising if you struggle to sleep when warm. Evenings are still hot enough for light clothing; they are not a dependable chance to cool down.

Rain is a catch, not a reason to rule it out

There are about 10 rainy days in January, so this is not the month to book on the assumption that every day will stay dry. That does not mean writing off those days entirely, but the figures do not tell you when rain will arrive or how long it will last. Keep outdoor plans flexible and pack a light waterproof that will not feel too heavy in humid weather. Sunshine averages about 5.4 hours within 12.3 hours of daylight, so expect a mixture rather than clear skies throughout. January works better if occasional changes of plan will not spoil your holiday.

Warm swimming, with a long journey to get there

The sea is a strong reason to choose January: at an average of 28.3°C, it is warm enough for comfortable swimming rather than a bracing dip. If cold water usually puts you off, this is a good fit, although water temperature alone does not tell you about swimming conditions on the day. The flight from London is about 10 hours, so weigh that long-haul journey against how much you value sustained warmth. Once there, a swimming-focused holiday with a gentle pace makes more sense than an itinerary that keeps you active outside through the hottest part of the day.