20 Things To In Zanzibar

The island of Zanzibar offers 20 distinct activities covering cultural tours, wildlife encounters, marine excursions, water sports, and coastal experiences including spice farm tours, Jozani Forest red colobus monkey tracking, kitesurfing at Paje Beach, Prison Island tortoise visits, snorkelling at Mnemba, and dhow sunset cruises. Visitors can book most activities directly on arrival in Stone Town, with costs ranging from under $10 for self-guided cultural visits to $120 for full-day marine packages. Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous Tanzanian archipelago in the Indian Ocean, located approximately 35 kilometres off the East African coast, historically known as the Spice Islands for its centuries-old clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon trade and recognised globally for its UNESCO World Heritage-listed Stone Town, white-sand beaches, and diverse marine life.

Holidays to Zanzibar costs in 2026 sit at $20 to $35 per person for half-day land excursions such as spice farm tours and Stone Town walking tours, $40 to $80 per person for marine day trips to Prison Island and Nakupenda sandbank, and $70 to $120 per person for full-day packages such as the Safari Blue tour. The Jozani Forest entry fee stands at approximately $12 per person including a ranger guide. Budget travellers who self-organise can access most cultural and nature sites for significantly less than packaged tour prices.

Stone Town Walking Tours in Zanzibar

Stone Town is the historic centre of Zanzibar City and the most visited single site on the island. It holds UNESCO World Heritage Site status for its blend of Swahili, Arab, Indian, and European architecture expressed through ornately carved wooden doors, coral stone buildings, and mosques that have stood for three centuries. A guided Stone Town walking tour covers the Old Fort built in the early 1700s on the site of a Portuguese church, the former Slave Market at the Anglican Cathedral, the Sultan’s Palace Museum, and the Daranji Market where cloves, dried fish, and fresh produce are sold side by side. Tour costs run from $20 to $35 per person with a local guide and can be arranged at the waterfront or through guesthouses. Walking the lanes independently is free, though a guide adds considerable depth to sites that are otherwise difficult to interpret without context.

Spice Farm Tours on the Zanzibar Spice Islands

Zanzibar earned the name Spice Islands from its role as one of the world’s leading clove producers during the 19th century, and spice farm tours remain among the most-booked activities on the island. The farms occupy the central region of Unguja, roughly 30 minutes from Stone Town, where visitors walk through working plantations and see, smell, and taste cloves, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper, cardamom, and turmeric growing in their natural state. Guides explain cultivation methods, medicinal uses, and the trade routes that made Zanzibar spices valuable across Europe and Asia for centuries. Most tours include a fresh fruit tasting and a coconut tree-climbing demonstration. Spice tour prices run from $20 to $35 per person for a two-to-three-hour half-day excursion. Tours operate year-round; the dry seasons of June to October and December to March offer the most comfortable walking conditions.

Jozani Forest and Red Colobus Monkey Tracking

Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, located approximately 38 kilometres southeast of Stone Town, is Zanzibar’s only national park and the sole remaining habitat of the Zanzibar red colobus monkey, a species found nowhere else on earth. The forest covers around 50 square kilometres of mahogany woodland, mangrove swamp, and evergreen bushland. A guided walk follows established paths where red colobus monkeys are reliably present and sufficiently habituated for close-range sightings, particularly in early morning before tour groups arrive. The park also supports Sykes monkeys, blue duikers, over 40 bird species including the mangrove kingfisher, and a mangrove boardwalk that forms part of the standard route. Direct entry costs approximately $12 per person with a ranger guide included. The park opens from 7:30am to 5pm daily. Tours including transport from Stone Town or east coast beaches cost $35 to $90 per person depending on the operator.

Prison Island Boat Trip and Giant Tortoise Sanctuary

Prison Island, locally called Changuu Island, lies approximately five kilometres west of Stone Town and is reached by a 20-minute boat ride. The island was originally built as a holding facility during the 19th century slave trade but was never used as a working prison, later serving as a quarantine station for yellow fever patients. Today it functions as a tortoise sanctuary housing Aldabra giant tortoises, some over 100 years old, brought from the Seychelles in 1919. Visitors can feed the tortoises, swim from the island’s beaches, and walk the ruins of the original quarantine facility. Half-day tours including boat transfer and site entry cost $40 to $65 per person. Many operators combine the trip with a stop at Nakupenda sandbank for snorkelling and a seafood lunch before returning to Stone Town.

Nakupenda Sandbank Day Trips from Stone Town

Nakupenda sandbank is a shallow coral formation off Zanzibar’s western coast that emerges from the ocean during low tide, creating a strip of white sand surrounded entirely by turquoise water with no permanent structures. It is accessible only by boat, approximately 20 minutes from Stone Town. Day trips to Nakupenda are typically combined with a Prison Island visit and include snorkelling equipment, a seafood BBQ lunch served on the sandbank, and free swimming time in the surrounding shallows. Full-day packages including Prison Island, Nakupenda, and lunch cost $50 to $80 per person. The best conditions occur during the dry seasons when the sea is calm and underwater visibility is high. Rough seas during April and May occasionally limit access on specific days.

Dolphin Tours at Kizimkazi Village

Kizimkazi, on the southern tip of Zanzibar Island, is the primary departure point for dolphin tours on the island. Two species are regularly sighted in these waters: bottlenose dolphins and spinner dolphins, both of which travel in pods that local boat captains track from early morning. Tours depart before 8am when dolphin activity is highest and run for three to four hours. Some operators allow swimmers to enter the water near a pod; sightings are seasonal and in-water encounters are not guaranteed. Responsible operators maintain a respectful distance from animals rather than herding pods toward the boat. A half-day dolphin tour from Kizimkazi costs $35 to $60 per person including boat transfer and snorkelling equipment. The area also contains the Salaam Cave sea turtle conservation site, often included in combined tours.

Snorkelling and Scuba Diving at Mnemba Marine Reserve

Mnemba is a protected marine conservation area off the northeast coast of Zanzibar near Matemwe beach and contains some of the healthiest coral reef systems accessible from the island. Snorkellers and divers commonly encounter green and hawksbill sea turtles, reef sharks, barracuda, and a high diversity of reef fish, with visibility commonly exceeding 20 metres during the dry season. Dolphins pass through the area and sightings from boats and from the water occur, though they are not guaranteed. Half-day snorkelling tours including boat transfer and equipment cost $60 to $90 per person. Certified scuba divers can book two-dive packages through operators in Nungwi and Matemwe for $80 to $120 per person. The best visibility runs from June to October. PADI Open Water certification courses are available over four to five days for approximately $350 to $450 per person.

Kitesurfing at Paje and Jambiani Beaches

Paje Beach on Zanzibar’s southeast coast is one of East Africa’s most established kitesurfing destinations. The beach receives consistent southeast trade winds from June to October and northeast trade winds from December to February, producing reliable conditions for beginners and experienced riders. Several certified kite schools operate permanently on the beach. A beginner course of two to three lessons costs $80 to $120 per person, providing sufficient skill to ride independently in flat-water conditions. Equipment rental for experienced riders costs $40 to $60 per day. Jambiani Beach, a few kilometres south, offers similar wind conditions with a quieter atmosphere and fewer schools. Outside the main wind seasons, conditions become less predictable and seaweed can affect the beach during April and May.

Safari Blue Full-Day Marine Excursion in Menai Bay

The Safari Blue tour is a full-day marine excursion departing from Fumba village on the southwest coast and consistently ranks among the most-booked activities on the island. The trip covers the Menai Bay Conservation Area by traditional wooden dhow, taking visitors through isolated sandbanks, mangrove channels, seagrass beds, and open ocean. Activities during the day include guided snorkelling over coral reefs, dolphin spotting, swimming in a natural freshwater lagoon, relaxing on remote sandbanks, and a fresh seafood BBQ lunch prepared on board. The tour costs $70 to $120 per person for a full day including hotel transfer, snorkelling equipment, and the meal. Safari Blue operates from June to March; heavy April and May rains close the route. Advance booking is recommended during peak season from July to September.

Dhow Sunset Cruises from Nungwi and Kendwa Beaches

Dhow sunset cruises depart from Nungwi and Kendwa beaches on Zanzibar’s northern tip aboard traditional wooden sailing boats. The cruises last approximately two hours, following the coastline as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean to the west, a direction that makes Nungwi one of the few beaches on the island with a direct ocean sunset view. Most cruises include refreshments and fresh tropical fruit. Prices range from $30 to $60 per person depending on the operator and drink inclusions. Private dhow charters cost $150 to $300 for the full vessel. The area around Nungwi beach also contains an informal community-run turtle conservation lagoon where visitors can swim with rescued green sea turtles; a small entry donation is customary.

Forodhani Night Food Market and Street Food Tour

Forodhani Gardens on Stone Town’s waterfront hosts a nightly open-air food market running from approximately 6pm to midnight. Vendors prepare food to order over charcoal grills, with the most popular items being Zanzibari pizza (a flatbread filled with minced meat, egg, and vegetables), urojo soup (a tangy Swahili broth with vegetables, seafood, and fried dough), freshly grilled lobster and prawns sold by weight, sugarcane juice, and coconut water served directly from the shell. A full meal costs $5 to $15 per person depending on seafood selections. The market requires no booking and is the most accessible low-cost food experience on the island. Most stalls accept only cash in small denomination US dollars or Tanzanian shillings.

Swahili Cooking Classes in Stone Town

Swahili cooking classes are offered by Stone Town guesthouses and cultural organisations and provide a structured way to engage with the island’s cuisine. A standard class runs three to four hours and covers dishes reflecting the Swahili coast’s position at the crossroads of Arab, Indian, Persian, and African culinary traditions. Participants typically prepare pilau rice, coconut fish curry, mkate wa sinia (a Zanzibari bread), and chapati using spices sourced from island farms. Classes cost $35 to $60 per person and include a sit-down meal of everything prepared in the session. Some classes begin with a visit to Daranji Market to source fresh ingredients. Booking one day in advance is sufficient for most Stone Town operators.

Kuza Cave Freshwater Swim at Jambiani

Kuza Cave is a natural freshwater lagoon inside a limestone cave system in the village of Jambiani on Zanzibar’s east coast. The cave contains a clear pool of cool water surrounded by ancient coral rock formations and filtered light entering through gaps in the ceiling. The site holds cultural significance for the local community, and visitors enter only with a local guide. Entry costs $10 to $20 per person including the guide. The swim is accessible to most visitors regardless of swimming ability, though narrow passages can be uncomfortable for those with claustrophobia. Kuza Cave pairs well with a visit to the nearby Salaam Cave at Kizimkazi, where a sea turtle conservation programme allows swimming with green sea turtles.

Sea Kayaking Between Nungwi and Kendwa

Sea kayaking along Zanzibar’s northern coastline between Nungwi and Kendwa gives direct access to rocky outcrops, shallow reefs, and coral formations not reachable from the beach. Transparent kayaks that allow paddlers to see the seabed below are available at both beaches for $20 to $40 per person for a two-to-four-hour open rental session. No guide is required for the standard stretch, which is a protected bay with minimal current. Kendwa Beach faces west and receives no tidal seaweed, making it the preferred finishing point for those wanting to watch the sunset from the water. Most rental operators allow open-ended sessions without a hard time cutoff.

Old Fort and Slave Market Historical Visit

The Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe) in Stone Town is the oldest standing structure in Zanzibar City, built by Omani Arabs in the early 1700s on the site of a Portuguese church. It served as a garrison and later a women’s prison before becoming an exhibition space and event venue. Entry costs $3 per person and the interior includes artisan shops and a small theatre hosting traditional Taarab music performances in the evening. The former Slave Market, now the site of the Anglican Cathedral of Christ Church, stands a short walk from the waterfront and includes underground holding cells where enslaved people were kept before shipment across the Indian Ocean. Entry costs $3 to $5 per person and includes a guided historical explanation. Both sites fit within a half-day Stone Town walking itinerary without advance booking.

Quad Biking Along the Northern Zanzibar Coastline

Quad biking tours on Zanzibar’s northern peninsula cover tracks through fishing villages, coral scrubland, and coastal paths not accessible by standard vehicles. Operators at Nungwi and Kendwa run guided tours of two to three hours. No prior experience is required; guides demonstrate handling before departure. Tours cost $60 to $90 per person including safety equipment. Most excursions finish at Kendwa Beach, allowing participants to swim or use the beach bars. Operators require a minimum age of 18 for solo riders. The activity is available year-round and does not require advance booking outside of peak season from July to September.

Freddie Mercury House and Museum in Stone Town

Freddie Mercury, lead vocalist of the band Queen, was born in Stone Town in 1946 as Farrokh Bulsara. His childhood home on Kenyatta Road has been converted into a museum and boutique hotel called Mercury’s House, containing memorabilia, photographs, and items related to his early life on the island before his family relocated following the 1964 Zanzibar Revolution. Entry costs approximately $5 per person. The property also houses a rooftop bar with a harbour view, open to non-guests throughout the day and evening. The museum is a short walk from the Old Fort and fits naturally into a Stone Town walking tour without requiring a dedicated half-day.

Deep-Sea and Traditional Fishing Trips from Nungwi

Deep-sea fishing charters depart from Nungwi on Zanzibar’s north coast targeting marlin, barracuda, yellowfin tuna, and kingfish in the deeper waters of the Indian Ocean. A full-day deep-sea charter for up to four anglers costs $350 to $500 per boat covering all tackle, bait, and crew. Traditional local fishing trips using hand lines closer to the reef in the style practised by Zanzibar’s fishing communities cost $30 to $60 per person for a half-day and include the opportunity to use techniques passed down through local fishing families. Catches from traditional sessions are typically kept by the boat crew or cooked for participants at the end of the trip. The best deep-sea conditions run from June to September when ocean currents are stable.

Muyuni Beach Seaweed Farm Walk on the South Coast

Muyuni Beach on Zanzibar’s southern coast is a working beach where women from the local community cultivate seaweed as a primary livelihood. The seaweed is harvested and exported to international cosmetics companies and food processors, and a morning walk along this stretch provides direct observation of coastal livelihoods functioning outside the tourism economy. Entry to the beach is free. Informal guided walks with a community member cost $5 to $10 per person. The beach has calm shallow water at low tide suitable for swimming. The combination of a seaweed farm walk and time on the public beach makes this southern coast section a practical half-day excursion for visitors staying on the east coast, requiring no advance booking.

What Activities Cost in Zanzibar in 2026

Getting to Zanzibar from East Africa

Zanzibar is served by Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (IATA: ZNZ), located approximately 6 kilometres from Stone Town. International flights connect directly from Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Addis Ababa, Dubai, and several European cities on seasonal routes operated by Kenya Airways, Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, and Edelweiss Air. Domestic flights from Dar es Salaam take approximately 20 minutes and operate throughout the day. A high-speed ferry from Dar es Salaam takes approximately two hours and offers multiple daily crossings at a lower cost than flying. Visitors arriving from the Tanzania mainland do not require a separate visa for Zanzibar, as the island operates under the same Tanzania tourist visa.

About Zanzibar as a Destination

Zanzibar Archipelago is a semi-autonomous region of the United Republic of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean, 25 to 50 kilometres off the East African coast. The archipelago’s two main islands are Unguja, commonly called Zanzibar Island, and Pemba, along with over 50 smaller islands and islets. The island joined with mainland Tanganyika in 1964 to form Tanzania, with the country’s name combining Tanganyika and Zanzibar. The island’s population of approximately 1.9 million is predominantly Swahili-speaking and Muslim, and the cultural blend of African, Arab, Indian, and European influence remains visible in Stone Town’s architecture, the island’s cuisine, and its spice trade heritage. Tourism reached approximately 917,000 visitors in 2025, making Zanzibar one of the most visited island destinations in East Africa. The island sits between 25 and 9 degrees south of the equator and experiences a tropical climate with two dry seasons, making it accessible year-round with minimal disruption outside of the April to May long rain period.