Zanzibar in August – is it worth going? Weather and reviews, sea and air temperature, is it possible to swim, prices 2026 for flights and hotels. How good is it to relax in Zanzibar in the summer, what to see and do, is it worth going on a safari – says Eurotraveler.
Zanzibar… even the name is very exotic, unusual to the European ear. However, if you didn’t know, this tropical island in Tanzania is the place where Freddie Mercury was born and raised (the house where he was born and lived has been preserved in Stone Town, and there is a museum dedicated to the famous rock musician). And Zanzibar is the center of beautiful white sandy beaches.
While relaxing on which, you will quickly forget even about Thailand. Especially if you choose the best, that is, the “right” time for your trip!
And this is not just winter, as citizens familiar with the peculiarities of the tropical climate might immediately assume. Of course, you can have a wonderful holiday in Tanzania at the sea even in the summer.
In particular, August in Zanzibar is considered part of the beach season. Sunny and hot. At the same time – not excessively!
That is, on clear days everything will be fine in perfect orderand you won’t even remember about tropical showers. And the heat promises to behave well and not affect the psyche – neither at the beginning of the month, nor even at the end.
So, are we going? We believe that this is a very correct decision.
If you can afford it, of course. However, we will talk about money a little later. First, let’s clarify some basic things in detail.
Briefly
- Is August a good month to travel to Zanzibar? One might even say that it is the best. After all, air temperatures rarely rise above +30 °C during the day (at night – about +24-25 °C), and the ocean warms up to +25 °C. Rain is rare and humidity remains within acceptable limits
- When does the rainy season start in Zanzibar? The fullest season – when the roads are muddy and there is literally nothing to do – lasts from March to May. The second stormy season starts on the island in October and ends by December
- What are the main disadvantages of holidaying in Zanzibar? There is a possibility of catching a tropical infection: dengue fever, for example, or zika. Also among the main shortcomings we will name the underdevelopment of tourism infrastructure
Well, now – about the main thing!
Weather in Zanzibar in August
Extremely well suited for beach holidays and swimming. Although in reviews (for example, here -), you will find references to “freezing” and “sleeping under a blanket.”
One way or another, the air temperature in Zanzibar in August will stick to the range of +28-30 degrees Celsius – this is during the day. At night, however, it seems to crawl into not so commendable territory – to +24-25 °C, sometimes it is only +22-23 °C.
What we personally welcome! Because we sincerely consider such temperature swings the healthiest of the possible. During a vacation on the warm sea, of course.
Rains are rare, but they cannot be called completely invisible. So initially prepare for the fact that 1-2 days during your stay in Zanzibar in August will “delight” you with rain or even downpour.
Usually very short and therefore bringing a pleasant variety to the measured resort life. The average monthly precipitation is about 70 mm.
Which seems like a lot for a seaside resort, where tourists rely most on dry weather. But at the same time, nothing at all – if you remember that Zanzibar is located in the tropics and very close to the equator (6 degrees to the south).
By the way, sunny days on the island in August are not in the “distinct majority”. On the contrary, prepare yourself mentally for predominantly cloudy weather.
Although, don’t forget to take sunscreen and lotions with you to the sea. And smear them, as they say, from the heart – starting from literally landing on the island.
And yes, it is better to keep activity in open areas and beaches to a minimum between 10 am and 4 pm. Because the sun here is not just hot, it’s painful. And the UV index in August regularly lives in the range of 9-10 units, which is very high.
Water temperature
It will not please the most pampered holidaymakers. Because throughout August you can swim in Zanzibar. Because the sea-ocean around will warm up to +25, at best – up to 26 degrees Celsius!
Regulars of “sunny Thailand” and even Vietnam may be a little discouraged by this circumstance. But in reality the water is at this temperature perfectly refreshing and is also great for long swims.
Children will almost certainly not be shocked either. However, they are the hardest to discourage – the kids are happy to build sand castles and load trucks even in October – on the Black Sea.
When choosing a place to relax in Zanzibar, even in August (such a completely relaxed and carefree month), you must not forget about the pronounced local feature – ebb and flow. On the east coast, the water goes hundreds of meters at low tide and this happens twice a day (and two more times at high tide).
Which, of course, is welcomed only by those amateur naturalists who are not averse to walking along the shore for a long time and looking at the inhabitants of the seas stuck on the exposed sand. All the rest – “ordinary vacationers” will only be glad if the tide does not happen at all.
The best non-tidal beaches on the island are Kendwa and Nungwi on the northern tip of the island. And here we wrote about when else you should go to Zanzibar for a beach holiday.
Prices 2026
They are declining. Simultaneously with the news that direct flights will fly from Moscow to Zanzibar in July 2026.
So, as a result, for a round trip flight the traveler will have to pay about 90 thousand rubles (~€900 for himself and his luggage). Which seems like a lot, but not too much – for moving into a completely different, almost fairy-tale reality?
Very inexpensive hotels in Zanzibar. Even those of them that are on the “correct” beach, which practically does not know what low tide is.
In particular, for just €350-400 per week, a couple of travelers can book themselves an excellent, spacious room at Chikachika Beach B&B in Nungwi. Standing almost on the ocean, with its own restaurant and even a swimming pool. Just in case you suddenly don’t want to swim in the ocean…
For €115 per day, a couple of travelers can even rent a separate villa in Nungwi – Casa Carlotta & Villa – for four. And this is an excellent choice for those who want to relax with their family or company in an atmosphere of maximum privacy.
Things to do
Based on the weather conditions, it becomes obvious that in August there is a lot to see in Zanzibar. Well, so many things – there’s simply no need to be on the beach all the time.
First of all (after the beach and ocean) tourists pay attention in Zanzibar to its capital, Stone Town. The city has a small but colorful old center. Due to its uniqueness, which, in general, is not striking, it is included in the UNESCO protected list – whc.unesco.org/en/list/173/.
It is quite possible to visit the capital and Slavery Museum. With an impressive exhibition telling about this shameful page in the history of mankind.
An interesting experience – not for everyone, of course – will be a visit to Freddie Mercury’s house and museum in Stone Town. Tourists looking for a particularly atmospheric experience may want to spend the night there. Fortunately, the corresponding hotel, although captivatingly cheap, is at the same time very good – Freddie Mercury Apartments.
Along the way, you can swim to the Nakupenda sand spit. Which, probably, is popular only because it either increases in size (low tide), then again shrinks to the size of a parking spot.
There are always a lot of tourists in Nakupenda. But no shadow at all – so think twice before going there!
It is quite possible (that is, almost certainly) that you will want to fly from Zanzibar on a safari to mainland Tanzania. It is an expensive, but most memorable – especially in August – affair.
It is worth considering that it is probably not worth organizing this entertainment yourself – in the African country there are some “pitfalls”, a collision with which can ruin the impression of your vacation.
Well, yes, think about the issue of vaccination. For if in Zanzibar there is a chance of contracting yellow fever or malaria frankly shortthen in mainland Tanzania it grows decently.
Someone may decide to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. However, we will not recommend this event as part of a holiday in Zanzibar. Because you need to prepare for it separately and selflessly!
© Eurotraveler
