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Best time to visit Zanzibar: month by month
Short answer
June to October is the cool, dry season and the best time for the beaches, with highs of about 28–30°C. December to February is hot and mostly dry, while the long rains fall from about March to May (April is wettest) and short rains in November.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31°C | 25°C | 16 | high |
| Feb | 32°C | 25°C | 11 | high |
| Mar | 32°C | 25°C | 15 | medium |
| Apr | 29°C | 24°C | 27 | low |
| May | 29°C | 23°C | 19 | low |
| Jun | 28°C | 22°C | 16 | medium |
| Jul | 28°C | 21°C | 17 | very high |
| Aug | 29°C | 21°C | 15 | very high |
| Sep | 30°C | 21°C | 16 | high |
| Oct | 31°C | 22°C | 14 | high |
| Nov | 30°C | 23°C | 24 | medium |
| Dec | 30°C | 24°C | 26 | very high |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Autumn (Mar–May)
The long rains: highs of 29–32°C, with about 15 rainy days in March, 27 in April and 19 in May. Some hotels close; prices are lowest.
Winter (Jun–Aug)
The cool dry season, with highs of 28–29°C and lows of 21–22°C. Peak season for beaches and diving.
Spring (Sep–Nov)
Highs of 30–31°C and generally dry until the short rains arrive in November (about 24 rainy days).
Summer (Dec–Feb)
Hot and humid, with highs of 30–32°C and lows of 24–25°C. Mostly dry between showers; busy over Christmas and New Year.
Events worth planning around
- Sauti za Busara music festival in Stone Town (February)
- Zanzibar International Film Festival (around late June to July)
- Mwaka Kogwa, the Shirazi New Year festival in Makunduchi (July)
- Ramadan (dates move about 11 days earlier each year): restaurants in Stone Town may close in the day
When to avoid
April and May are the wettest months, with many hotels closed. Christmas–New Year and July–August are the busiest and most expensive.
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Common questions
What is the best time to visit Zanzibar?
June to October, the cool dry season, with highs of about 28–30°C.
When is the rainy season in Zanzibar?
The long rains fall from about March to May, wettest in April, with shorter rains in November.
Is Zanzibar good in December?
Yes, it is hot and mostly dry, but busy and expensive around Christmas and New Year.