What to know before you go
Zanzibar is the name used for the main island (officially called Unguja) and for the wider archipelago that includes Pemba Island to the north and dozens of smaller islets. When people say "Zanzibar" they almost always mean Unguja.
The island is about 90 km long and 30 km wide. Stone Town is on the western coast — this is where most international flights arrive, where the ferry from Dar docks, and where the majority of budget guesthouses are. The beach resort areas are mostly on the north coast (Nungwi, Kendwa) and east coast (Paje, Jambiani, Matemwe). Getting from Stone Town to Nungwi takes about 1.5 hours by road.
Zanzibar is majority Muslim. This matters practically: dress modestly when you are not on a beach or at a resort — shoulders and knees covered. Ramadan is observed seriously in Stone Town. The pace of life is deliberately slow — this is a place to decompress, not to rush.
Where is Zanzibar exactly?
Zanzibar lies at roughly 6°S, 39°E — in the western Indian Ocean, about 35 km from the Tanzanian port city of Dar es Salaam. The island sits at the southern end of the "Swahili Coast", a stretch of the East African coast historically linked by trade winds, dhow routes, and the Swahili language.
It is firmly in the same time zone as Tanzania and Kenya (UTC+3, East Africa Time). No jet lag adjustment needed if you are arriving from within East Africa.
Is Zanzibar part of Tanzania?
Yes. Zanzibar became part of the United Republic of Tanzania in 1964, a few months after the Zanzibar Revolution overthrew the Arab sultanate. The "Tan" in Tanzania refers to Tanganyika (the mainland) and the "Zan" to Zanzibar.
Practically speaking: your Tanzania visa covers Zanzibar. You will go through a brief customs and immigration check when arriving by ferry from Dar, but no separate visa is needed. Citizens of countries that can visit Tanzania visa-free can visit Zanzibar without a visa.
How to get to Zanzibar
By air — air tickets to Zanzibar
Zanzibar International Airport (IATA: ZNZ) is in the south of the island, about 5 km from Stone Town. It receives direct international flights from Nairobi (1 hour), Doha (5–6 hours), Dubai (5 hours), Amsterdam (10 hours direct in high season), Addis Ababa, and several European cities in summer.
From within Tanzania, the fastest and most reliable option is the Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar route. Multiple airlines fly this — Precision Air, Air Tanzania, and charter operators like Coastal Aviation and Auric Air. Flight time is 20 minutes. Prices range from around $80–180 return depending on season and how early you book. Booking 2–4 weeks ahead is enough in shoulder season; in peak season (July–August, December–January) book 6–8 weeks out.
Budget tip: the Air Tanzania website often has promotional fares on the Dar–Zanzibar route that are cheaper than booking through aggregators. Worth checking directly.
By ferry — the alternative
High-speed ferries cross from Dar es Salaam's ferry terminal to Zanzibar's Malindi port in approximately 90 minutes. Multiple operators run this route several times daily. Tickets cost around $35–55 per person one way. The crossing can be rough in heavy swell — if you are prone to seasickness, the plane is more comfortable.
Important: buy ferry tickets from the official operator offices at the terminal, not from touts approaching you on the street.
When is the best time to visit Zanzibar?
Best months: June to October
The long dry season. Seas are calm, diving visibility is at its best (15–30m in many sites), and sunshine is reliable. This is peak tourist season — expect higher prices and book accommodation ahead for July and August.
December to February
A shorter dry window with fewer tourists than the June–October peak. Good conditions for beaches and diving. December can be busy over Christmas and New Year — prices spike around this period.
Avoid: March to May
The long rains (masika). Heavy daily downpours, high humidity, some beach hotels close for the season, and ferry crossings can be rough. If you visit in March–May, expect very low prices and far fewer tourists, but plan for intermittent rain every day.
October to November
Short rains (vuli) — generally lighter than the long rains. Conditions are usually fine, prices are lower, and the island is noticeably quieter. A good shoulder-season choice for budget travellers.
What to see and do
Stone Town
The old city is a UNESCO-listed maze of narrow alleys, carved wooden doors, Arabic-style balconies, mosques, and the old Sultan's Palace. The Anglican Cathedral was built on the site of the last open-air slave market in the world. A guided walking tour takes 2–3 hours and is worth the cost — the layers of history are easy to miss without context.
Beaches
The north coast (Nungwi, Kendwa) has the most consistent swimming with sandbanks that don't disappear at low tide. The east coast (Paje, Jambiani) is famous for kitesurfing and has a more local, quieter feel. Matemwe in the northeast is good for snorkelling access to the outer reef.
Spice farm tours
Zanzibar was historically the world's leading producer of cloves. Half-day spice farm tours are available from Stone Town for around $25–40 per person. You walk through growing vanilla, cinnamon, black pepper, lemongrass, turmeric, and cloves — guides explain the history and uses.
Diving and snorkelling
The outer reefs and channels around Zanzibar have good coral and decent fish diversity. Popular sites include Mnemba Atoll (protected marine reserve, north coast) and Leven Bank. Dive operators in Nungwi, Kendwa, and Paje run daily trips. A two-tank dive costs around $80–120 depending on the site.