- Climate Type
- Tropical monsoon climate
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: climatestotravel.com, expertafrica.com
Good to know
Good to Know
- July, August, and September offer the most reliably clear weather, calm seas, and are considered the overall best months to visit.
- April is the single worst month: heaviest rainfall, most lodges closed, persistent daily downpours.
- Zanzibar's year-round temperature variation is only ~3°C (37°F)—you will never experience cold weather.
- The island is humid year-round (75–84%); the trade winds from June–September help reduce the felt heat.
- Cyclones are rare, though the Indian Ocean monsoon system brings rain seasonally; cyclone risk exists Nov–May but is low.
- December–February is hot, humid, and has some rain, but many visitors tolerate it for warm water and fewer crowds than peak season.
- September combines excellent dry-season weather with whale shark season and thinner crowds than July–August.
- October is excellent for value: great weather, declining crowds, and lower prices after high season.
Seasons
Best months (dry season)
- Characteristics
- Clear skies, calm seas, low humidity, ideal sunshine
- Rainfall Summary
- Minimal rainfall, typically below 50mm per month
- Peak Daytime Temp Celsius
- 29
- Peak Nighttime Temp Celsius
- 20
- Peak Daytime Temp Fahrenheit
- 84
- Peak Nighttime Temp Fahrenheit
- 68
Months
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
Hot and humid (December–February)
- Characteristics
- Hottest period, high humidity, brief warm-season rains
- Rainfall Summary
- Light to moderate rainfall, roughly 140–170mm per month
- Peak Daytime Temp Celsius
- 33
- Peak Nighttime Temp Celsius
- 24
- Peak Daytime Temp Fahrenheit
- 91
- Peak Nighttime Temp Fahrenheit
- 75
Months
- December
- January
- February
Worst months (long rainy season)
- Characteristics
- Persistent daily downpours, high humidity, many lodges closed
- Rainfall Summary
- Heavy rainfall, peaks in April at ~320mm; April is the wettest month with 17+ rainy days
- Peak Daytime Temp Celsius
- 32
- Peak Nighttime Temp Celsius
- 24
- Peak Daytime Temp Fahrenheit
- 90
- Peak Nighttime Temp Fahrenheit
- 75
Months
- March
- April
- May
Short rainy season
- Characteristics
- Milder rain, less disruptive than long rains
- Rainfall Summary
- Lighter than main rains, predominantly afternoon showers
- Peak Daytime Temp Celsius
- 32
- Peak Nighttime Temp Celsius
- 24
- Peak Daytime Temp Fahrenheit
- 90
- Peak Nighttime Temp Fahrenheit
- 75
Months
- November
Snowfall
None. Tropical climate ensures no snowfall at any time of year.
Annual Stats
- Humidity Range Percent
- 75-84%
- Wind Speed Kmh
- 14
- Annual Rainfall Mm
- 1650
- Sunshine Hours Per Day Average
- 9
- Average Annual Temperature Celsius
- 30
- Average Annual Temperature Fahrenheit
- 86
Climate Type
Tropical monsoon climate
Extreme Temps
- Absolute High Celsius
- 36
- Absolute High Fahrenheit
- 97
- Note
- Can reach 36–38°C (100°F) in worst moments of Dec–Mar
Sea Temperature
- Coolest Temp Celsius
- 25.5
- Warmest Temp Celsius
- 29
- Coolest Temp Fahrenheit
- 78
- Warmest Temp Fahrenheit
- 84
- Note
- Sea always warm enough for swimming year-round
Coolest Months
- August
- September
Warmest Months
- December
- January
- February
- March
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this climate & weather research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Zanzibar
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.