How Zanzibar tours and excursions differ
Most Zanzibar tours are boat days or short land visits. Boat days depend on tides, wind and sea state, so routes and stops can change on the day. Land visits, such as a forest walk or a seaweed studio, run in shorter blocks. Before you book, check the start point, what the price covers and whether marine fees or park entry are extra.
The prices below are single examples. They show what a product can cost, not a market range, and a price does not show free places on your date.
Our picks: Zanzibar tours
Fly-in safaris, snorkeling boats, a sunset dhow and kitesurfing lessons. The government fee is already in the Mnemba price, which makes it the simplest boat day to compare, while the safaris suit anyone who wants big game on a single day.
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.
Mikumi day safari with a return flight
- Return flight
- All fees and taxes
- Airport transfers
Snacks, fruit and drinks are on board the jeep during the game drive in Mikumi National Park.
Check availability →
Nyerere day safari with flights, the former Selous
- Return flight
- Park entry and landing fees
- Bush lunch
A shared game drive in a 4x4 in Nyerere National Park, the northern part of the former Selous. The Zanzibar travel insurance is extra.
Check availability →
Kitesurfing lessons with a local instructor
- Professional instructor
- Kite, board and harness
- Helmet and impact vest
Lessons or private coaching, with a safety briefing and launch help. Rental-only options exist too, so check which one you pick.
Check availability →Shared-boat snorkeling day trip with lunch
- Lunch
- Snorkel gear
- Air-conditioned transport
Bottled water comes with the day on a shared boat. Ask whether the marine fee is included before you book.
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Mnemba snorkeling and dolphin trip with government fee
- Government fee included
- Boat and snorkel gear
- Water and fruit
The government fee is already in the price, which keeps the cost clear. Transport and lunch depend on the option you choose.
Check availability →
Evening dhow cruise along Nungwi and Kendwa
- Dhow trip with guide
- Fruit and water
- Fees and taxes
A guided evening trip on a traditional dhow off the northern beaches.
Check availability →Zanzibar tours and excursions
Dhow cruises, reef snorkeling, forest walks, island trips and safaris from Zanzibar, with live prices and availability.
Zanzibar excursions compared
Examples for 2026. Each row is one type of trip.
| Excursion | Starts from | Length | Price example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menai Bay dhow day | Fumba, southwest coast | Full day | $85 adult, $45 aged 6 to 14, under 6 free; transport to Fumba extra |
| Mnemba reef snorkeling | Northeast coast | – | Marine fee $10 in regular areas or $25 in special areas, if not in the price |
| Kizimkazi dolphin boat trip | Kizimkazi, south coast | – | Set by the operator; no sighting guarantee |
| Jozani Forest visit | Jozani | – | Airport taxi to Fumba or Jozani $45 per taxi (TZS 120,000) |
| Seaweed studio visit | Paje | 90 minutes | From $15; farm visit is an option |
| Flight to Pemba | Zanzibar airport | 30 minutes | $100 adult, $75 child, plus $30 taxes, charges and levies |
| Fly-in safari to Selous | Zanzibar airport | 1 h 25 min, via Dar es Salaam | Flight times from the April 2026 schedule; no fixed all-in price |
For most first-time visitors, a Menai Bay dhow day or a Mnemba reef trip, plus one forest morning at Jozani, covers the main water and wildlife experiences. Add Pemba or a safari only if you have the days for it.
The tour types in detail
What each one involves.
Dhow days in Menai Bay
Trips leave from Fumba and sail into the protected bay. They usually include reef snorkeling, a sandbank that appears with the tide and an island stop. Many are sold under the same popular name, so compare what each trip includes rather than the name. Weather and tides limit the program, and no single departure time or route applies to all operators.
Menai Bay →Mnemba reef trips
Boats snorkel at the reefs around the private island, which day visitors cannot enter. Entry to marine conservation areas costs $10 in regular areas and $25 in special areas for visitors from outside East Africa, and these are not the same fee. Ask which one applies and whether it is in the price. A trip cannot promise turtles or any other animal.
Mnemba Island →Dolphin boat trips
The dolphins live along the south coast near Kizimkazi. A study of 2010 found that tourist boats changed the animals' behavior, so pick an operator who keeps a respectful distance. Swimming with the dolphins is debated, and we do not promote it.
Kizimkazi dolphins →Forest and village visits
The hours of Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park are Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 17:00, so confirm weekend access. The Zanzibar red colobus can be seen there, but not on demand. Seaweed farms are working areas, and a studio in Paje is the easier way to learn about them.
Jozani Forest →Pemba day or stay
The flight to Pemba takes 30 minutes. A day trip is tight, because there is one daily departure at 15:20 and arrival at 15:50 (timetable of April 2026). Check the return options before you plan a day there.
Pemba Island →Safaris from Zanzibar
There is no road from Zanzibar to the mainland, so a safari starts with a flight or a ship crossing. Flights connect Zanzibar with the mainland parks, but a same-day return is not a given. The mainland parks have their own guides: Serengeti from Zanzibar and Nyerere from Zanzibar.
Safari from Zanzibar →What to check before you book
The details that change the final cost.
Start point and transfer
Dhow trips start in Fumba, and transport to Fumba may be extra. Compare the airport taxi fare to your coast: $15 to Stone Town, $45 to Fumba or Jozani, $50 to Paje and $65 to Nungwi or Kendwa. These are per taxi, one way, for 1 to 7 passengers.
Fees in or out of the price
Marine conservation fees, park entry and the accommodation levy can sit outside a trip price. Ask for the total.
Weather and cancellation
Boat departures can change with wind and tide, so ask how the operator handles a cancelled day and check the free cancellation terms of your booking.
Insurance and payment
Visitors need the state travel insurance, which costs $44 for adults and $22 for children. Visitors may pay in foreign currency, and many tours quote US dollars. Keep some shillings (TZS) for small costs.
Visa and insurance →Plan the rest of your trip
Where the tours fit.
Zanzibar tours: frequently asked questions
Which Zanzibar tour suits me?
That depends on what you want to do. A dhow day in Menai Bay gives sailing and snorkeling, a Mnemba trip is about the reef, and Jozani Forest is the place for monkeys. The table above compares examples, not a ranking.
How much do Zanzibar tours cost?
The examples above run from $15 for a seaweed studio visit to $85 for an adult on a Menai Bay dhow day. They are single products in 2026, not a market range, and extras such as transport or marine fees can change the total.
Do I need to book Zanzibar tours in advance?
A price on a page does not show free places on your date. Check availability before you plan around a tour, especially for a full-day boat trip.
Are marine park fees included?
It differs by operator. Visitors from outside East Africa pay $10 in regular marine conservation areas and $25 in special areas. Ask whether the fee is already in your trip price.
Can I do a safari as a day trip from Zanzibar?
The schedules show flights to Selous and Serengeti airstrips, but a same-day return is not a given. Check the full itinerary before you book.
Is this the official Zanzibar tourism site?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no link to the government, a tourism authority or any tour operator.