Most popular things to do in Zanzibar

Safari Blue

One of the finest snorkelling tours in Zanzibar. The day starts at Fumba beach village and sails into the Menai Bay Conservation Area — rich with colourful sea creatures and untouched coral gardens.

Fumba lies along the southern shores of Unguja, about 25.2 km from Stone Town. The trip runs on a traditional dhow and can be arranged privately or as a shared departure, depending on your budget.

• Swimming & snorkelling
• Kwale Island visit
• Sandbank relaxing
• Seafood lunch & tropical fruits

Spice Farms Tour

Zanzibar is known as the Spice Islands thanks to its historic production of cloves, cinnamon, black and white pepper and nutmeg. On a spice farm tour you learn how locals grow and use every one of them.

The tour includes a spiced rice lunch with tropical fruits, and well-packed spices are available to buy at the end.

Jozani Forest

Jozani is Zanzibar's largest forest park and home to the Zanzibar red colobus monkey — a species found nowhere else on Earth.

Around 6,000 of these monkeys remain, roughly half of them in Jozani. The forest also shelters many other animals and rare medicinal plants.

Stone Town Walking Tour

A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, Stone Town is the best place to understand the people of Zanzibar. A guided historical walking tour is the way to do it.

Visit the former Slave Trade Market, the House of Wonders, Freddie Mercury House, the Palace and the Old Fort, while learning about the architecture, culture and religions of the islands.

Snorkelling at Mnemba Island

Mnemba is a private island off Matemwe beach and among the very best snorkelling and swimming spots in Zanzibar.

If you are lucky you may swim alongside dolphins here, though they are seasonal and never guaranteed.

Swimming with Wild Dolphins

Zanzibar has more than five dolphin species; the Indo-Pacific bottlenose and spinner dolphins are the two you are most likely to meet.

Kizimkazi fishing village and Mnemba Island are the most reliable places to go. Sightings are never one hundred percent guaranteed with wild dolphins, but snorkelling is included, so the trip is always worthwhile. Dolphins are also sometimes seen around Fumba and Menai Bay.

Sunset Dhow Cruise

The most beautiful way to watch the sun go down over the Indian Ocean — aboard a traditional wooden dhow.

Cruises depart from Stone Town or from Nungwi and Kendwa in the north, with local music, snacks and drinks prepared by the crew.

Prison Island (Changuu)

Known locally as Changuu, after the fish common in its waters, Prison Island sits about 5.6 km north of Stone Town beach — a 30-minute boat ride away.

This is where you can meet and feed Zanzibar's giant tortoises, with swimming and snorkelling on the same trip.

Nakupenda Sandbank

“Nakupenda” is Swahili for “I love you” — a fitting name for this shining sandbank a few minutes from Stone Town, reached by traditional wooden boat.

One of the best places for snorkelling and sunbathing, with fresh seafood lunch and tropical fruits like banana, watermelon, pineapple and avocado.

Cooking Class & Market Tour

The best experience for travellers who want to dig into Zanzibari culture, or foodies who want to cook the island's spiced dishes themselves.

You begin by shopping for ingredients at Darajani Market, then cook alongside a local chef.

Skydiving

Yes — you can skydive in Zanzibar. If you are an adventurer looking for the most memorable thing on the island, this is it.

Skydive Zanzibar operates from Kendwa Rocks Hotel on Kendwa beach, with views over crystal-blue water, green villages and the resorts below.

Henna Painting

If you love fashion, henna is one thing to try in Zanzibar. It is a temporary dye, quite different from a tattoo.

In Zanzibari culture henna is worn by women for festivals — Eid days and weddings especially.

Swimming with Sea Turtles

Swimming with turtles at Nungwi is completely safe — they are friendly and harmless to humans.

Baraka Natural Aquarium and Mnarani Marine Turtles Conservation Pond are the only two places to do it, both in Nungwi village about 62.9 km from Stone Town. We can arrange hotel transfers.

Kiteboarding

Kiteboarding is hugely popular on the east coast in the windy season. Paje and Jambiani are the best beaches for it.

Beginners and experienced kiters are both well served, with many schools and instructors speaking English, Russian, Italian, German, Spanish, French and Polish.

Full Moon Party at Kendwa Rocks

Kendwa Rocks hosts one of the best full moon parties in the world, held every month on the Saturday of the full moon.

Expect acrobats, Swahili and African music, seafood menus and drinks on one of Zanzibar's finest beaches.

Horse Riding

Dreaming of riding a horse along the beach? It is possible in the north of the island at Nungwi.

Four options are available: beach rides, swim rides, sunset rides and country rides.

Dining at The Rock Restaurant

The most photographed restaurant in Zanzibar, standing alone on a rock in the ocean at Michamvi Pingwe beach.

The menu runs from squid in tandoori and coconut milk, stewed rock lobster and grilled fish fillets to chocolate salami, tambi and ravioli filled with aubergine.

Kuza Cave

Kuza Cave sits in Jambiani village on the south-east of Unguja Island. Swim in the natural pool, enjoy live music and taste local food.

You do not need to be staying in Jambiani — we can collect you from your hotel and return you afterwards.

Zanzibar Festivals

Attending a local festival is the finest way to understand a culture, and Zanzibar has several worth planning your trip around.

• Zanzibar International Film Festival — July 4–12
• Sauti za Busara — February 11–14
• Zanzibar Beach & Water Sports Festival — December 4–7

Dining at Forodhani Market

An evening market held every day in front of the House of Wonders — a must if you are staying in Stone Town.

Street vendors set up stalls each evening selling seafood, sugar cane juice, Zanzibar pizza and Zanzibar mix (urojo).

Jet Skiing

Jet skis are available at beaches across the island — Nungwi, Kendwa, Matemwe and Stone Town among them.

Ask us for recommendations and we will point you to the right operator.

Rooftop Restaurants in Stone Town

There are two good reasons to eat on a rooftop in Stone Town: the sunset, and the view across the whole town.

Swahili House has the best town view and African House Hotel the best sunset, with Emerson Spice, 6 Degrees and Maru Maru close behind.

Shopping at Darajani Market

Darajani is the oldest, largest and most famous market on the island, built in 1904 under Sultan Ali bin Hamud, the eighth Sultan of Zanzibar.

It sells spices, fruit, fabrics, seafood, vegetables, clothes and decorations — the best shopping in Zanzibar. Our Stone Town walking trip always includes it.

Wildlife at Cheetah's Rock

Cheetah's Rock is the only place to have a wildlife experience while in Zanzibar — lions, zebras, tortoises, monkeys, cheetahs, deer, peacocks and leopard.

Tours run on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 2pm to 6pm.