Zanzibar is a group of islands, i.e., an archipelago, located off the coast of Tanzania in East Africa. It's a melting pot of languages, cuisines, and cultures and home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, making it a popular tourist spot. Beyond its beaches, it’s also a top destination for history enthusiasts, nature lovers, and adventure seekers.

In this post, we’ll curate a list of activities to ensure your trip to Zanzibar is memorable.

But first, when’s the best time to visit Zanzibar?

The best time to visit is during the dry season, from June to October. This is also the peak safari season in Tanzania, which makes Zanzibar a popular post-safari destination choice.

January and March are also great times to visit because the beaches have peak diving conditions, and you can explore the lagoons and coral reefs in clear waters.

Now that you know when to visit, let’s look at some must-do activities in Zanzibar.

Top Activities in Zanzibar

Go on a snorkeling tour.

You can kickstart your trip by taking a snorkeling tour to explore the stunning coral reefs and diverse marine life, such as lionfish, sting rays, sea turtles, and dolphins around the archipelago islands.

This 5-hour tour is usually conducted at Mnemba island because of the high visibility of its water. You’ll be accompanied by a professional guide providing safety instructions and insights while on the tour.

A trip to Stone Town:

Stone Town is the historic heart of Zanzibar City and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Arabs built this town during the slave trade, and it’s renowned for its well-preserved historic architecture. Some of the things you can do in Stone Town include:

• Visit the slave monument
• Visit the Old Fort
• Visit the night market
• Visit the Forodhani Gardens
• Visit the Hamamni Persian Baths

A guided tour is the best way to familiarize yourself with Stone Town and its history.

Go on a spice tour:

Zanzibar is often called “Spice Island” due to its nutmeg, pepper, and cinnamon production. During the spice tour, you’ll learn the islands’ relationship with spices and how they are grown, harvested, and prepared to make medicines and food.

Kitesurf:

Kitesurfing is a popular activity for tourists in Zanzibar. Paje, a small village on the southeastern coast of Unguja island — the main island of the Zanzibar archipelago — is said to be one of the best places in the world to kitesurf.

This is primarily due to its excellent wind conditions and relatively calm waters, allowing beginners to learn and improve. You can also get a 3-hour kitesurfing lesson for €110.

Nature walk in the Jozani forest:

This is one activity you can’t miss out on while in Zanzibar. The Jozani forest is a protected area in the center-eastern region of Unguja island, and it’s the only home to the endangered Red Colobus Monkey.

It also hosts a variety of wildlife, such as leopards, lemurs, civet cats, pygmy antelopes, and bush babies.

You can take a guided tour to explore this forest; it usually takes an hour. This would also allow you to learn about the different types of wildlife and their medicinal uses.

Dine at The Rock:

The Rock is a famous picturesque restaurant on a rock formation near the beach.

Aside from its stunning ocean view and intimate setting, this restaurant is famous in Zanzibar for its excellent food, making it a tourist favorite. Most seafood is freshly caught from the reefs near the restaurant.

Relax at the beach:

This list would be incomplete without this. Zanzibar is famous for its white sandy beaches and clear blue waters, making it the perfect place to enjoy a beach holiday.

You can soak in the scenery, dip in the ocean, or even swim with dolphins.

Wrapping up

Traveling to Zanzibar can be a great way to unwind and learn about different cultures in an immersive way. And as a tourist, the last thing you want to worry about is currency exchange, which is why Grey has you covered.

We’ve made it easy for you to convert your money to Tanzanian shillings (TZS) so you can focus on making memories without the stress of navigating currency exchanges. Get started today by opening a Grey account.

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