Best time to visit Zanzibar
Re-score for me — drag the dial — every chart recolours live for your heat & sea limits 27°C · sea 29°C
Default 27 °C is the upper edge of the Holiday Climate Index "ideal comfort" band (Scott, Rutty, Amelung & Tang, 2016). Above this, most warm-tourism travellers report measurable discomfort.
Default 29 °C is the Beach Climate Index "bathtub" line (Morgan et al.) — where the sea stops being refreshing and starts feeling like a warm bath.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
How is this scored? HCI / Steadman / CCI gate — full methodology and citations below.
Compare with another destination
Add as many as you like — stacked below the main strips above. Each row is just the recent-window score strip and (for beach destinations) sea-temperature strip.
Tours in Zanzibar
6 top-rated tours via Viator. Booking links earn this site a commission at no cost to you. Map locations are approximate (centred on Zanzibar).
- 1
Skydive Zanzibar | Tandem Skydive - 2
Stone Town Walking Tour in Zanzibar - 3
3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour - 4
Full-Day Zanzibar Dolphins, Turtle Salaam Cave & Jozani Forest - 5
Salaam Cave and Jozani Forest Guided Tour - 6
Jozani Forest, Salaam Cave and The Rock Restaurant in Zanzibar
Last refreshed 2026-06-30.
Similar climatesSan Juan74% · Male73% · Punta Cana73%
Other destinations with the most-alike year-round climate to Zanzibar (apparent temperature, rain hours, sunshine — matched within the same trip-profile). The ±N chip compares each match's typical score for the current month against Zanzibar's. Based on the 2020-2024 climatology, not this year's actual weather.
Month-by-month
| Month | Temp °C | Feels °C | Rain days | Rain h | Rain h/day | Humidity | Wind km/h | Sun h | UV | Interest | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 25–32 | 35 | 15 | 158 | 10.5 | 64% | 19 | 254 | 11 | Moderate | 3 |
| Feb | 26–33 | 36 | 15 | 133 | 8.9 | 61% | 17 | 231 | 12 | Quiet | 3 |
| Mar | 25–32 | 36 | 18 | 219 | 12.2 | 64% | 16 | 245 | 11 | Quiet | 2 |
| Apr | 25–29 | 33 | 27 | 444 | 16.4 | 80% | 17 | 174 | 8 | Quiet | 1 |
| May | 24–28 | 31 | 18 | 245 | 13.6 | 73% | 20 | 237 | 8 | Quiet | 3 |
| Jun | 23–28 | 30 | 16 | 189 | 11.8 | 68% | 21 | 232 | 8 | Quiet | 5 |
| Jul | 22–28 | 29 | 17 | 195 | 11.5 | 66% | 22 | 245 | 8 | Quiet | 5 |
| Aug | 22–29 | 30 | 17 | 176 | 10.4 | 61% | 20 | 252 | 9 | Peak | 5 |
| Sep | 22–30 | 32 | 16 | 175 | 10.9 | 58% | 19 | 255 | 10 | Busy | 4 |
| Oct | 23–31 | 33 | 17 | 183 | 10.8 | 59% | 18 | 267 | 10 | Moderate | 4 |
| Nov | 24–30 | 34 | 24 | 254 | 10.6 | 66% | 16 | 249 | 10 | Peak | 2 |
| Dec | 25–31 | 35 | 21 | 232 | 11.0 | 68% | 16 | 270 | 10 | Peak | 2 |
UV Index in Zanzibar by Month
UV index in Zanzibar peaks at 12 (extreme) in February, dropping to 8 (high) in June. January, February, March, April, July, August, September, October, November, December reach very high or extreme levels — apply SPF 50+, wear a hat and protective clothing, and limit direct sun between 11:00 and 17:00.
Best months in detail
July
5/1022–28°C (feels 29°C) · 17 rain days (195h) · 245 sun hours · 66% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 8 (very high)
August
5/1022–29°C (feels 30°C) · 17 rain days (176h) · 252 sun hours · 61% humidity · Peak crowd · UV 9 (very high)
June
5/1023–28°C (feels 30°C) · 16 rain days (189h) · 232 sun hours · 68% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 8 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 9 (very high)
Every month
Show the other 9 months in detail
January
3/1025–32°C (feels 35°C) · 15 rain days (158h) · 254 sun hours · 64% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 11 (extreme) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 13 (extreme)
February
3/1026–33°C (feels 36°C) · 15 rain days (133h) · 231 sun hours · 61% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 12 (extreme) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 13 (extreme)
March
2/1025–32°C (feels 36°C) · 18 rain days (219h) · 245 sun hours · 64% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 11 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 13 (extreme)
April
1/1025–29°C (feels 33°C) · 27 rain days (444h) · 174 sun hours · 80% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 8 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 11 (very high)
May
3/1024–28°C (feels 31°C) · 18 rain days (245h) · 237 sun hours · 73% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 8 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 10 (very high)
September
4/1022–30°C (feels 32°C) · 16 rain days (175h) · 255 sun hours · 58% humidity · Busy crowd · UV 10 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 12 (extreme)
October
4/1023–31°C (feels 33°C) · 17 rain days (183h) · 267 sun hours · 59% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 10 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 12 (extreme)
November
2/1024–30°C (feels 34°C) · 24 rain days (254h) · 249 sun hours · 66% humidity · Peak crowd · UV 10 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 12 (extreme)
December
2/1025–31°C (feels 35°C) · 21 rain days (232h) · 270 sun hours · 68% humidity · Peak crowd · UV 10 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 12 (extreme)
Frequently asked questions about visiting Zanzibar
When is the best time to visit Zanzibar?
July is the highest-scoring month (5/10 on the Holiday Climate Index). Typical conditions: 22–28°C (17 rainy days). The top three months by score are July, August, June.
What is the worst time to visit Zanzibar?
April is the lowest-scoring month (1/10, capped by extreme heat). Typical conditions: 25–29°C (27 rainy days).
Is Zanzibar too hot in summer?
11 months (January, February, March, April, May, June, August, September, October, November, December) trip the heat deal-breaker in our scoring: apparent temperature crosses the comfort cap, so even with clear skies and low rain the score is held down. Plan around it if heat tolerance is low.
When are crowds lowest in Zanzibar?
Search-interest seasonality (Google Trends 2021-2025) is lowest in April and peaks in August. Interest tracks both in-trip visitors and lead-time planners, so treat it as a "destination is on people's minds" signal rather than literal arrivals.
What is the UV index in Zanzibar by month?
UV peaks at 12 (extreme) in February and is lowest in June at 8 (high). Monthly peak values: Jan 11, Feb 12, Mar 11, Apr 8, May 8, Jun 8, Jul 8, Aug 9, Sep 10, Oct 10, Nov 10, Dec 10. January, February, March, April, July, August, September, October, November, December reach very high or extreme levels — apply SPF 50+, wear a hat and protective clothing, and limit direct sun between 11:00 and 17:00.
What is the UV index in Zanzibar in February?
February is the peak UV month in Zanzibar, with a daily-peak UV index of 12 (extreme). At this level, sunburn can occur in under 20 minutes on unprotected fair skin. Apply SPF 50+, wear protective clothing and a hat, and avoid direct midday sun (11:00–17:00).
How high can UV get in Zanzibar on the sunniest days?
Most days look like the monthly average, but on the sunniest ~1 in 10 days UV climbs higher than the mean suggests. February is the worst case: typical days average UV 12 (extreme), but the top 10% of days reach UV 13 (extreme) — and even higher. Months where the sunniest days routinely exceed the typical reading: January, February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November, December. Plan sun protection for the worst case, not the average.
Is air quality in Zanzibar bad for travelers?
PM2.5 (fine-particle pollution) exceeds the WHO sensitive-group guideline (15 µg/m³) in 1 month: February. The worst month is January with a typical-day mean of 12 µg/m³ (moderate); on the worst 10% of days PM2.5 reaches 15 µg/m³ (moderate) and higher. People with asthma, heart conditions, or sensitive children may want to avoid these months or limit outdoor activity. Source: CAMS via Open-Meteo.