Things to do in Zanzibar at a glance
Most of what you do on Zanzibar happens on the water, in the forest or in a village. Reef trips and dhow days are the main bookable activities, Jozani Forest is the one national park on the islands, and Stone Town is the old town you can add on a transfer day. Pemba, the second large island, suits divers and forest walkers.
Plan around tides and weather. Boat programs depend on them, and no trip can promise a sighting of dolphins, turtles or monkeys. The sections below list what each activity involves and what it costs as an example in 2026.
Our picks: things to do
Stone Town for history, Mnemba and a reef sail for snorkeling, Jozani for the forest and Pemba for a quieter island day. Combine one boat day with one land day if you only have a few days.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. 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.
Ngezi Forest, lighthouse and Vumawimbi Beach on Pemba
- Local guide
- Entry fees and government tax
- Vumawimbi Beach
The tour starts on Pemba itself. The boat or flight there from Zanzibar is extra.
Check availability →
Private Jozani Forest and Salaam Cave trip
- Jozani and Salaam Cave entry
- Colobus viewing and mangrove boardwalk
- Private guide and transport
The turtle swim and seagrass feeding at Salaam Cave are part of the day. The price is per person.
Check availability →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 →
Kiwengwa reef snorkeling and sailing
- Local sailing boat
- Snorkel gear
- Hotel pickup island-wide
A guide and an air-conditioned vehicle bring you to the boat from any hotel on the island.
Check availability →
Stone Town guided walk
- Local guide
- Walk through the old town
- Old Fort stop
Museum entries are extra, and the slave market entry only comes with one option.
Check availability →
Mnemba snorkeling and dolphin watching from Matemwe
- Boat and guide
- Snorkel gear and life jacket
- Water and fruit
Includes a briefing on protecting the reef. Lunch only comes with the lunch option, so ask whether the marine fee is included before you book.
Check availability →Things to do in Zanzibar: tours and day trips
Reef snorkeling, dhow cruises, forest walks, island trips and safaris from Zanzibar, with live prices and availability.
The main things to do in Zanzibar
Grouped by where you go.
Snorkel at the Mnemba reefs
Mnemba is a small private island off the northeast coast. Boat trips snorkel at the reefs around it, and day visitors do not land on the island. Entry to marine conservation areas is $10 in regular areas and $25 in special areas for visitors from outside East Africa. Ask which zone your trip uses and whether the fee is in the price.
Mnemba Island →Sail a dhow in Menai Bay
Menai Bay trips start in Fumba on the southwest coast. A typical day has a dhow ride, reef snorkeling, a sandbank that depends on the tide and a stop on an island. As an example, a full-day trip costs $85 for adults and teenagers from 15 and $45 for ages 6 to 14, with children under 6 free and transport to Fumba extra.
Menai Bay →Walk in Jozani Forest
Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park is the only national park on Zanzibar. It has existed since 2004 and covers 5,000 ha, with mangroves among its ecosystems. The Zanzibar red colobus is an island endemic. A count in 2017 found 5,862 animals, which is not a current figure. The park's hours are Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 17:00, so confirm weekend visits before you go. Keep your distance from the monkeys and never feed them.
Jozani Forest →Watch dolphins from a boat near Kizimkazi
Kizimkazi on the south coast lies in the Menai Bay protected area. The dolphins here are Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins. A study of 2010 found that near tourist boats the animals rested, socialized and foraged less and moved more. Choose an operator who keeps its distance and expect no guarantee of a sighting. We do not recommend swimming with dolphins.
Kizimkazi dolphins →Visit a seaweed studio and a village
Commercial seaweed farming began on the east coast in 1989 and has been carried largely by women. The farms are work areas, not open sights. A studio in Paje offers a 90-minute visit from $15, and a farm visit is an option, not a fixed stop. Booking ahead is advised.
Jambiani and its seaweed farms →Kitesurf in Paje
The reef in front of Paje shapes a shallow lagoon whose depth follows the tide. The southeast trade wind (Kusi) typically blows from about mid-June to mid-October and the northeast wind (Kaskazi) from the end of December to mid-March. These are typical seasons, not daily guarantees.
Paje and kitesurfing →Fly to Pemba
Pemba is the second large island, with diving, steep reef walls and the Ngezi Forest at its northwest tip (1,440 ha). A flight from Zanzibar takes 30 minutes. A daily flight (timetable of April 2026) departs at 15:20 and arrives at 15:50, for $100 for adults and $75 for children, plus $30 in taxes, charges and levies.
Pemba Island →See the west coast and its history
Mangapwani on the west coast is part of the coastal landscape. A coral cave there held captives in the 19th century; visit with respect and read the history page first.
Stone Town in a few lines
The old town has its own guide.
Stone Town is a historic Swahili trading town with African, Arab, Indian and European influences, and UNESCO lists it as a World Heritage site. Its history includes the slave trade, and visits to the sites of that history call for respect. The guide to Stone Town covers the House of Wonders, the old fort, Forodhani Gardens and the markets, and spice tours have their own page.
Zanzibar food and local life
What to expect at the table and the market.
Markets and local meals are usually priced in shillings (TZS), while tours, fees and hotels often use US dollars. Visitors may pay in foreign currency, but carry some shillings for small purchases, as dala-dala fares and market stalls usually work in TZS.
For a first taste of the food and the market scene, the Stone Town guide has pages on Darajani Market and Forodhani Gardens.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where these activities fit.
Things to do in Zanzibar: frequently asked questions
What are the main things to do in Zanzibar?
Reef snorkeling at Mnemba, a dhow day in Menai Bay, Jozani Forest, a walk through Stone Town and a day on the beach are the most common choices. Divers and forest walkers add Pemba.
How many days do I need?
That depends on how many boat days and transfers you plan. Each coast is a separate base, and the airport taxi to Nungwi costs $65 while the ride to Stone Town costs $15, so moving between coasts takes time. Choose one or two bases rather than all of them.
Can I see monkeys in Zanzibar?
Jozani Forest is the main place for the Zanzibar red colobus. A visit gives good chances, not a guarantee. Keep your distance and do not feed the animals.
Are there things to do in the rain?
The rains come from March to May and from October to December. Boat trips depend on the sea and the wind, so ask your operator how it handles a cancelled departure. Stone Town and a seaweed studio visit are the kind of plans that do not rely on a calm sea.
Do I pay a fee for marine areas?
Yes, often. Visitors from outside East Africa pay $10 in regular marine conservation areas and $25 in special areas. Check whether your trip price already contains it.