Best Things to Do in Zanzibar in 2026
From spice farm tours to pristine white-sand beaches — a complete local guide to Zanzibar written by a Tanzanian developer who's been there.
Why Zanzibar in 2026?
Zanzibar remains one of Africa's most rewarding short-haul escapes — and 2026 is a particularly good year to visit. Direct flights from Dar es Salaam take under 30 minutes, new boutique resorts have opened along the north coast without losing the island's character, and the spice tours that made the island famous are better organised than ever. Whether you're combining it with a Kilimanjaro climb, a Serengeti safari, or travelling solo, Zanzibar rewards you with a pace that the rest of Tanzania can't quite match.
Stone Town: The Old City
Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the cultural heart of the island. Narrow coral-stone alleys open unexpectedly onto Persian-influenced squares, carved hardwood doors signal centuries of Arab trade, and the smell of cardamom drifts from basement spice shops. Spend at least a full day here. The Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe) hosts evening cultural shows, Forodhani Gardens come alive at sunset with street-food vendors grilling Zanzibar mix and sugarcane juice, and the Slave Market memorial is a sobering but essential stop. The Darajani Market is best early morning when the fish auction runs — one of the most vivid scenes in East Africa.
Spice Farm Tours
No Zanzibar trip is complete without a spice farm tour. The island was the world's leading clove producer for centuries and still grows cinnamon, vanilla, black pepper, turmeric, and nutmeg across its interior. Half-day tours run from Stone Town every morning — a knowledgeable guide walks you through working farms, lets you taste raw spices off the tree, and often includes a full Swahili lunch back at the farm. Budget USD 25–40 per person depending on what's included. Book through your guesthouse or a verified operator on GetYourGuide to guarantee a licensed guide.
Best Beaches by Purpose
Nungwi (north tip) has the calmest water year-round because it sits above the tide-line — ideal if you want to swim at any time of day without the tidal flats. Kendwa, just south of Nungwi, is the party beach with weekly full-moon events. Paje (southeast) is the kite-surfing capital of East Africa with strong, consistent winds June–October. Matemwe (northeast) is quieter, great for snorkelling on the fringing reef. For a day trip away from crowds, take a boat to Mnemba Atoll — one of the best snorkel and dive sites in the Indian Ocean. Water temperature sits around 26°C year-round.
Dolphin Tours at Kizimkazi
The village of Kizimkazi on the southwest coast offers early-morning boat trips to spot Indo-Pacific bottlenose and humpback dolphins, which are resident year-round. Tours leave at sunrise (around 06:00) when the sea is flat and dolphins are feeding close to shore. Snorkelling with them is permitted in designated zones. The same village has a 12th-century Shirazi mosque — the oldest Islamic building in sub-Saharan Africa — worth pairing with the dolphin trip. Full-day combined packages including village tour, dolphin swim, and lunch cost USD 50–80.
Prison Island (Changuu)
A 20-minute dhow or speedboat ride from Stone Town brings you to Changuu Island, nicknamed Prison Island because the British built a detention facility here in 1893 that was never used for prisoners. It's now a sanctuary for giant Aldabra tortoises, some over 100 years old. The snorkelling around the island is excellent — coral gardens in 3–8 metres of water with good visibility outside of the rainy season. Entrance fee is USD 5 for the island plus USD 4 for the tortoise sanctuary. Boat transfers are USD 10–20 return depending on group size.
Food and Eating Well
Zanzibari food is a genuine cuisine, not just a tourist approximation. Pilau rice cooked with cloves and cardamom, urojo (Zanzibar mix — a tamarind soup loaded with fried cassava, bhajia, and egg), fresh grilled lobster at Nungwi for under USD 15, and the octopus curry at many Stone Town restaurants are all worth seeking out. Forodhani night market is the cheapest and most atmospheric option for street food. For sit-down restaurants, Emerson Spice rooftop in Stone Town offers a fixed Swahili menu with panoramic views — book ahead, capacity is limited.
Getting Around
Dalla-dallas (shared minibuses) connect Stone Town to most beach villages for USD 0.50–2. They're slow and crowded but entirely safe and the authentic way to travel. Private transfers to Nungwi run around USD 30–35 one way. Renting a scooter or motorcycle (around USD 20/day with fuel) gives the most freedom and is the way most independent travellers explore the interior. Public ferries between Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam run several times daily — fast ferry takes 75–90 minutes and costs USD 35–45 for tourists. Book tickets the day before to avoid morning queues.
Best Time to Visit
Zanzibar has two rainy seasons: the long rains (masika) run March–May and the short rains (vuli) run November–December. Peak season is June–October when the Indian Ocean is calmest, winds are steady for kite-surfers, and rainfall is minimal. Prices rise 30–50% in peak season and accommodation books up fast. January–February is a good shoulder alternative — still dry, slightly quieter, and cheaper. Avoid April especially if you want beach time, as sustained rainfall makes outdoor activities unreliable.
Quick Tips
- Carry small USD or local TSh for markets and dalla-dallas — card machines are rare outside hotels.
- Dress modestly in Stone Town as it's a predominantly Muslim city — cover shoulders and knees.
- Book spice tours through verified operators on GetYourGuide to avoid unofficial guides who inflate prices mid-tour.
- The best snorkelling on Mnemba Atoll requires calm weather — avoid going after heavy overnight rain.
- Tides on the east coast drop dramatically — check tide times before planning a swim at Paje or Bwejuu.
- Negotiate dhow tours the evening before, not on the morning of departure when prices spike.
- If you're flying in from Nairobi or elsewhere, many airlines route through Dar — add an extra day to avoid a rushed connection.