Climate in Zanzibar — Annual Weather Overview
Zanzibar has a tropical climate — hot and humid year-round with a distinct wet season. The hottest month is February (average high 32.4°C) and the coolest is July (27.3°C). Temperatures are consistent year-round, with highs ranging only 5.1°C between the warmest and coolest months. Annual rainfall totals around 1201mm. April is the wettest month at 359.0mm, while September averages just 38.0mm. Average daily sunshine is 10.7 hours.
**Spring (September, October, November):** average highs 30.2°C, 295mm rain. **Summer (December, January, February):** average highs 31.7°C, 199mm rain. **Autumn (March, April, May):** average highs 29.7°C, 556mm rain. **Winter (June, July, August):** average highs 27.8°C, 151mm rain.
Zanzibar — Monthly Temperatures
Zanzibar — Monthly Rainfall
✅ Best months to visit
All year
ℹ️ No months to avoid
Weather in Zanzibar stays reasonable all year.
Zanzibar weather by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun/day | Rainy days | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31.8°C | 25.5°C | 56.1mm | 11.2h | 12 | 10/10 |
| February | 32.4°C | 25.4°C | 56.9mm | 10.8h | 13 | 10/10 |
| March | 32.0°C | 25.3°C | 100.4mm | 10.5h | 16 | 9/10 |
| April | 28.8°C | 24.4°C | 359.0mm | 8.3h | 28 | 8/10 |
| May | 28.3°C | 24.1°C | 96.3mm | 10.4h | 18 | 10/10 |
| June | 27.7°C | 23.2°C | 57.5mm | 10.3h | 15 | 10/10 |
| July | 27.3°C | 22.3°C | 51.3mm | 10.5h | 20 | 10/10 |
| August | 28.5°C | 21.4°C | 41.9mm | 10.8h | 15 | 10/10 |
| September | 29.8°C | 22.0°C | 38.0mm | 11.4h | 14 | 10/10 |
| October | 30.6°C | 22.6°C | 81.2mm | 11.5h | 16 | 10/10 |
| November | 30.1°C | 23.7°C | 176.0mm | 10.9h | 23 | 9/10 |
| December | 31.0°C | 24.8°C | 86.4mm | 11.6h | 18 | 10/10 |
For the full verdict on when to go, see the best time to visit Zanzibar and the Zanzibar rainy season guide. Seasonal breakdowns: spring, summer, autumn and winter.
Sorted on weather — now sort the packing
Our sister site has a ready-made checklist for this exact trip.
Zanzibar packing list →More about Tanzania — currency, language and key facts at 247CountryInfo →
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of climate does Zanzibar have?
Zanzibar has a tropical climate — hot and humid year-round with a distinct wet season. Average highs range from 27.3°C in July to 32.4°C in February.
What is the hottest month in Zanzibar?
February is the hottest month in Zanzibar, with average highs of 32.4°C and lows of 25.4°C.
What is the coldest month in Zanzibar?
July is the coolest month, with average highs of 27.3°C and lows of 21.4°C.
What is the wettest month in Zanzibar?
April is the wettest month, averaging 359.0mm of rainfall over around 28 rainy days.
When is rainy season in Zanzibar?
Rainy season in Zanzibar runs March to April and November, when rainfall is significantly higher than the rest of the year. Full rainy season guide →
How much rain does Zanzibar get per year?
Zanzibar receives around 1201mm of rain per year. The driest month is September (38.0mm).
When is the best time to visit Zanzibar?
The best time to visit Zanzibar is All year. See the full month-by-month guide →
Compare Hertz, Avis, Budget, Sixt and 800+ rental companies — book now, pay at pickup.
Compare car hire prices → Affiliate link — we earn a commission at no extra cost to youAs an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
For the packing side of things, our sister site has a ready-made checklist: Zanzibar packing list at 247PackingList. For currency, language and country facts see the Tanzania guide at 247CountryInfo.
Trip essentials for Zanzibar
UPF 50+ sun protection
Zanzibar's strong UV calls for proper coverage — BloqUV blocks 98%.
Get BloqUV →Sunglasses for sunny trips
Heading somewhere this sunny? Otra's trend-led frames are built for travel.
Get Otra Eyewear →Check clothing sizes in Tanzania at 247Sizing before you shop for the trip.
More Zanzibar travel essentials
Book UK airport parking
Flying out to Zanzibar from the UK? Compare Gatwick, Luton, Birmingham, Glasgow and Newcastle.
Compare Airport Parking →Travel first aid kit
Compact, TSA-friendly — covers the basics wherever you travel.
Check Price →Last updated:
Climate data sourced from Open-Meteo (open source, open data licence). Monthly averages calculated from 2020–2023 historical data. Weather can be unpredictable — always check a live forecast before travelling.