Menai Bay at a glance
Menai Bay is a protected bay on the south west coast of Unguja, the main island of Zanzibar. Day trips here leave from Fumba, a village on the coast, and sail by dhow, the traditional sailing boat, into the bay. A typical trip combines snorkeling at a reef, a stop on a sandbank that appears with the tide and a visit to an island. Kwale is one of the island stops on these trips.
These are full-day trips. Weather and tide shape the programme, so the route and the sandbank stop are never identical from one day to the next. The bay is a protected area, which means a marine fee applies and the crew follows rules about where boats may stop.
Our picks: Menai Bay dhow trips
Day trips on the bay with snorkeling, a sandbank and a seafood lunch. The one with hotel pickup and all entry fees included is the easiest to plan from anywhere on the island.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Menai Bay dhow trip with hotel pickup
- Pickup from any island hotel
- Seafood barbecue
- Taxes and entry fees
Pickup and drop-off at any address on the island, with a vegetarian alternative at the barbecue. All taxes and entry fees are included.
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Shared Menai Bay day trip with snorkeling
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Lunch
- Entry fees
An air-conditioned vehicle, snorkel gear and water are part of a day on the bay.
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Menai Bay dhow trip with seafood lunch
- Seafood barbecue
- Snorkel gear and life jacket
- Fruit, water, soft drinks
Stops include the Kwale sandbank and a lagoon. Ask whether the marine fee is included before you book.
Check availability →Menai Bay dhow trips 2026
Dhow sailing, reef snorkeling and sandbank trips into Menai Bay from Fumba, with live prices and availability.
Zanzibar dhow trips from Fumba
A Menai Bay trip is a boat day. You meet at Fumba, board a dhow and sail out with the wind. Snorkeling takes place over a reef, and on the sandbank you can walk and swim while the water level allows. The island stop adds time on land. Which parts happen on your day depends on the wind, the sea and the tide.
| Part of the day | What happens | What can change it |
|---|---|---|
| Sailing | Dhow from Fumba into the bay | Wind and sea state |
| Reef snorkeling | Time in the water over the reef | Water clarity, currents |
| Sandbank | Stop on a sandbank | Tide: the bank only shows at lower water |
| Island stop | Time on land, for example at Kwale | Operator programme |
For most travellers, a full-day dhow trip suits a day when you want snorkeling and a long time on the water rather than a short hop. If you are prone to seasickness, choose a calm-weather day and ask the crew about the sea state before you board.
What one trip costs
As one example, a full-day dhow trip from Fumba costs $85 for adults and teenagers aged 15 and over, $45 for children aged 6 to 14 and no charge under 6. The transfer to and from Fumba costs extra, and the other services of the day are included in the ticket. Treat this as one example, not a market range. Other operators set their own prices, so compare what each ticket includes.
Marine fees and trip names
Menai Bay is one of the marine conservation areas where a fee applies. For visitors from outside East Africa the fee is $10 for a regular marine protected area (2026). Some tickets already include the fee, so ask before you pay anything on the beach and do not pay it twice. Do not assume that the higher $25 rate for special zones applies in the bay.
Many trips here are sold under the common name Safari Blue. It describes a type of day in searches, but it does not tell you who runs your boat. Check the operator and the inclusions in the ticket, not the name alone.
Planning notes
What to check before you book.
Weather and tide
Wind and tide decide how the day runs. The sandbank only shows at lower water, so ask when it is expected on your date. Do not book a fixed hour for the sandbank without confirming the tide.
Getting to Fumba
An airport taxi costs $45 per car for the one-way trip to Fumba, or TZS 120,000 (2026). The price is for the car with up to 7 passengers. See the airport guide for transfers.
Dolphins
The dolphin place at Kizimkazi lies inside the Menai Bay protection zone. Dolphin sightings are never guaranteed on any trip. Our Kizimkazi dolphins page explains boat rules and the debate about swimming with the animals.
Sandbanks near Stone Town
Sandbank and island trips from the capital are a different programme. They are covered in the Nakupenda sandbank guide.
Sun and sea
Bring sun protection and drinking water. Sea urchins live around the archipelago, so wear reef shoes when you step off the boat. Leave the reef and its animals as you found them.
Plan the rest of your trip
More boat days and practical pages.
Menai Bay: frequently asked questions
Where do Menai Bay dhow trips start?
At Fumba, a village on Unguja's south west coast. An airport taxi to Fumba costs $45 per car, one way, for up to 7 passengers (2026).
How long is a Menai Bay trip?
It is a full-day trip. No departure time applies to every operator, and wind and tide shape the programme, so confirm times with the one you book.
How much does a Menai Bay dhow trip cost?
One full-day trip costs $85 for ages 15 and over, $45 for ages 6 to 14 and free under 6, with the transfer extra. Other operators set their own prices.
Is the marine fee included?
Sometimes. For visitors from outside East Africa the regular rate is $10 (2026). Ask whether it is already in your ticket so you do not pay twice.
Is the sandbank always there?
No. It only shows at lower water, so ask when it is expected on your date and do not book a fixed hour without confirming the tide.