Zanzibar excursions: costs, which ones to do and what to see

It would be a shame to spend your entire vacation just around the hotel: Zanzibar is small, and in an hour or so from any beach, you can reach sandbars in the middle of the ocean, coral reefs, forests home to monkeys found nowhere else, spice plantations, and an old town designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most popular excursions include the Blue Safari in Menai Bay, a trip to Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbar, snorkeling at Mnemba, the Jozani Forest, the spice tour, and a visit to Stone Town.

Below you’ll find them listed one by one, along with who they’re best suited for, their approximate cost, and the pros and cons of the different ways to book them: through the resort, through a local tour operator, through the “beach boys” on the beach, or on your own.

Boat Trips

Safari Blue in Menai Bay

This is Zanzibar’s most famous boat tour and one of the most comprehensive. The trip departs in the morning from Fumba, on the southwestern coast, aboard a dhow—the traditional sailing boat—and spends the entire day in the Menai Bay Marine Conservation Area. The classic itinerary includes stops for snorkeling on the coral reef, a sandbar that emerges at low tide, a lunch of fish and lobster on a small island, a lagoon surrounded by mangroves where you can swim, and a visit to a centuries-old baobab tree. While sailing, you may spot dolphins.

Ideal for: those who love the ocean and snorkeling; also suitable for families with children who enjoy being on a boat.
Less suitable for: people who get seasick or don’t like spending the day in the water.

Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbar

Two of the easiest and most enjoyable excursions, which are usually combined into a half-day trip departing from Stone Town. Prison Island (Changuu), about a half-hour boat ride away, is home to a colony of Aldabra giant tortoises—some over a century old—and the ruins of a prison built in the late 19th century that was never actually used as such. Not far away, the Nakupenda sandbar emerges at low tide in the middle of the ocean and shrinks or disappears at high tide: a strip of pure white sand where you can sunbathe, snorkel among starfish and colorful fish, and enjoy a lunch of grilled fish and tropical fruit.

Ideal for: everyone, including families with young children and those who aren’t particularly athletic. Bring a mask and snorkel, sunscreen, and a hat: there’s no shade on the sandy beach.

Snorkeling and Diving at Mnemba

Off the northeast coast,the Mnemba Atoll is a marine protected area with some of the clearest waters on the island: corals, sea turtles, tropical fish, and often dolphins. Trips depart from Matemwe, Kiwengwa, or Nungwi and last half a day. Mnemba Island is private and visitors are not allowed to go ashore, but snorkeling is possible around the reef. It is also one of the best destinations for scuba diving, with well-equipped dive centers in Nungwi and Matemwe.

Ideal for: snorkeling and scuba diving. The sea is calmer and visibility is better from October through March.

The Dolphins of Kizimkazi

In the waters off Kizimkazi, at the southern tip of the island, resident pods of bottlenose dolphins and striped dolphins live. Tours depart early in the morning, when it’s easiest to spot them. It’s a wonderful experience if done the right way: unfortunately, during peak season, many boats chase and surround the dolphins to allow tourists to swim alongside them—a practice that disturbs them. It’s best to choose tour operators who observe them from a distance, without chasing them, and to accept that a sighting is never guaranteed.

Ideal for: nature lovers and families; often combined with a visit to the Jozani Forest.

Sunset on a dhow

A sunset cruise aboard a dhow, departing from Stone Town, Nungwi, or Kendwa, is one of the simplest and most romantic ways to experience the Zanzibari seas: a couple of hours of sailing, often with music and a drink, as the sun sets over the ocean.

Excursions on the mainland

Spice Tour

Zanzibar is the “spice island,” and a visit to a plantation inland from Stone Town is one of the most enjoyable excursions, suitable for everyone. Guides let you smell, touch, and taste cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, pepper, cardamom, and tropical fruits, often turning the tour into a game of guessing games that even the kids enjoy. You’ll also typically witness a boy climbing a coconut palm and receive small objects woven from the leaves. Many tours include a stop at the Kidichi Persian Baths, built for the sultan in the mid-19th century.

Stone Town with a guide

You can explore the old city on your own, but a guide makes all the difference in understanding its history: the Slave Memorial next to the Anglican Cathedral, the Arab Fort, the sultans’ palaces, the carved gates, the Darajani Market, and the house where Freddie Mercury grew up. In the evening, the street food market in Forodhani Gardens is a must-see. Everything there is to see is in our guide to Stone Town.

Jozani National Park

Zanzibar’s last remaining large forest, located in the south-central part of the island, is the best place to get an up-close look at the Zanzibar red colobus, a monkey found only here. The tour, led by a park guide, lasts a couple of hours and includes a walk along a wooden boardwalk through the mangroves of Chwaka Bay. It can easily be combined with a dolphin-watching trip to Kizimkazi or a transfer to the east coast.

Caves and Historic Sites

North of Stone Town, visitors can explore the Mangapwani Caves, linked to the history of the slave trade, and the ruins of the Maruhubi Palace. In the southeast, near Jambiani, the Kuumbi and Kuza caves—the latter featuring a natural freshwater pool—are of particular interest to those staying on the east coast.

Quad bike ride

For those seeking a bit of adventure, half-day quad bike excursions take you along dirt roads through plantations, villages, and bushland, with stops to sample fruit and meet the locals. Experience isn’t necessary, but it’s best to choose operators with well-maintained vehicles, helmets, and insurance.

The Turtles of Nungwi

In Nungwi, a natural rock pool is home to sea turtles cared for by the local community; visitors can observe them and, in some cases, feed them. Choose your visit carefully: the most reputable facilities focus on rehabilitating injured animals and releasing them back into the ocean.

Hiking for Sports Enthusiasts

• Kitesurfing in Paje, with its shallow lagoon and steady winds for most of the year—ideal for beginners as well;
• scuba diving in Mnemba, Nungwi, and—for experienced divers—Pemba;
• deep-sea fishing off the north coast;
• kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding in the lagoons along the east coast.

A Safari in Zanzibar

From Zanzibar, you can fly to a national park on the mainland—even if just for a day or two: Selous and Mikumi are the closest. It’s an expensive and somewhat rushed option, since most of your time is spent on flights and transfers. Those who really want to see the animals are better off planning a safari before heading to the beach—in the northern or southern parks—and then traveling to Zanzibar via a domestic flight: this is the format of our “safari plus beach” packages. For those with only a few days, there’s also our three-day safari in Selous.

How to book excursions in Zanzibar

Through the resort

It’s the most convenient option: you depart directly from the hotel, often with other guests, and if any problems arise, there’s someone to turn to. The downside is the price, which is generally higher because it includes the hotel’s commission. It’s a sensible choice for a first trip or for those traveling with children.

With a local tour operator

Licensed local agencies organize daily tours, often with Italian-speaking guides, at prices lower than those offered by resorts. They are easy to find in Stone Town, Nungwi, and Paje. It’s a good idea to verify that the operator is registered, read recent reviews, and clarify in advance what’s included in the price: transfers, entrance fees to protected areas, lunch, and snorkeling gear.

With the beach boys

On the most touristy beaches, you’ll encounter many local young men—known as “beach boys” or “papasi”—who offer excursions at very low prices. Sometimes they work with reputable operators, but often they operate without a license: in that case, there are no guarantees regarding boat safety, life jackets, insurance, or compliance with protected area regulations, and if problems arise, there’s no one to turn to. The savings may not be worth the risk. A polite but firm “no, asante” is usually enough to end the negotiation.

On Your Own

Some places can be visited on your own: Stone Town, the Darajani Market, Jozani Forest—where a park guide is included with admission—and walks through the villages. Getting around the island on your own, however, isn’t exactly easy: in Zanzibar, they drive on the left, the secondary roads are often in poor condition, and to drive, you’ll need a local driver’s permit in addition to an international driver’s license. For getting around, it’s best to rely on a taxi or a driver recommended by your hotel, agreeing on the price before setting off.

Practical Tips

• Plan your excursions around the tides: snorkeling and sandbars depend on high and low tide times, and reputable tour operators schedule their departures accordingly.
• Bring water-resistant sunscreen, a hat, a T-shirt for snorkeling, water shoes, and small bills for tips and purchases.
• Respect the wildlife: don’t touch corals or starfish, don’t chase dolphins or turtles, and don’t feed the fish.
• Consider the season: between April and May, the sea can be rough, and some trips may be canceled. The month-by-month weather is detailed in our guide on when to visit Zanzibar.
• Plan your budget: excursions are a major expense during your vacation; all travel costs are listed in our guide on how much a vacation in Zanzibar costs.

Choosing where to stay helps minimize travel time: those staying in the north are close to Mnemba and the dhow sunset cruises; those on the east coast are close to Jozani and the lagoons; and those in Stone Town are close to Prison Island and Nakupenda. A comparison of the different areas can be found in the guide at Where to Stay in Zanzibar, while the individual beaches are described in the guide to the The Most Beautiful Beaches in Zanzibar.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’d prefer not to worry about organizing, we can include excursions directly in your trip itinerary, with transfers and guides we trust. Tell us which ones you’re most interested in , and we’ll plan your days in Zanzibar around them.