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Climate - Zanzibar


Average weather, temperature, rainfall, when to go, what to pack

Flag - Zanzibar

Map - Zanzibar


Zanzibar is an archipelago formed by two main islands, Unguja (also called Zanzibar) and Pemba, plus several smaller islands. It is a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania, a great African country just south of the Equator.
The climate is tropical, hot all year round, with two rainy seasons: one more intense, known as the "long rains" season, from March to May, with the peak in April, and the other less intense, known as the "short rains" season, between mid-October and December. Total annual rainfall is about 1,600 millimeters (63 inches) in Zanzibar and 1,900 mm (75 in) in Pemba. April and May are the wettest months, when downpours can be really strong and cause floods. However, some short thunderstorms can occur throughout the year.
Here is the average precipitation in Zanzibar.
Zanzibar - Average precipitation
MonthMillimetersInchesDays
January853.310
February552.27
March1505.913
April38515.218
May2551015
June702.87
July5028
August5028
September5028
October953.79
November2158.511
December1857.313
Year164564.8127

Temperatures are high throughout the year. The warmest period is from October to March, during which the maximum temperature hovers around 31/33 degrees Celsius (88/91 °F) and the humidity is high, although the breeze tempers a little the heat. In the worst moments, the temperature can reach 36/38 °C (97/100 °F). The period from May to August, when the southeast trade winds predominate, is cooler, with highs around 29 °C (84 °F).
Here are the average temperatures in Zanzibar.
Zanzibar - Average temperatures
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January233227.5739081.5
February233328739182.4
March233227.5739081.5
April243027758680.6
May232926738478.8
June222925.5728477.9
July212925708477
August202924.5688476.1
September203025688677
October213126708878.8
November223126.5728879.7
December233127738880.6
Year22.130.526.2571.786.979

The amount of sunshine in Zanzibar is good enough all year round, except in the long rains season, from March to May, where cloudiness and downpours can last a little longer.
Zanzibar - Sunshine hours
MonthAverageTotal
January9275
February9250
March7.5230
April6185
May6.5210
June8240
July8250
August8250
September8.5255
October9275
November8.5250
December8.5260
Year82920

Beach in Zanzibar

The sea in Zanzibar is always warm enough for swimming: the water temperature ranges from 25 °C (77 °F) in August to 29 °C (84 °F) between December and April.
Zanzibar - Sea temperature
MonthCelsius (°C)Fahrenheit (°F)
January2984
February2984
March2984
April2984
May2882
June2781
July2679
August2577
September2679
October2679
November2882
December2984
Year27.681.7

Tropical cyclones



The archipelago is located near the Equator (Zanzibar is at 6 degrees south latitude and Pemba at 5 degrees), at the limit of the area where tropical cyclones can form. In fact, Zanzibar is hardly ever affected by cyclones, probably also because of the prevailing currents, however, it can not be excluded that a cyclone of the Southern Hemisphere may pass (over the ocean to the east) close enough to cause storm surges. This can happen from November to mid-May, but especially from late December to mid-April. However, according to the reports of that time, on April 15, 1872, the archipelago was hit at full force by a cyclone.

Best Time



The best months to enjoy the sun and the sea of Zanzibar are July, August and September. In Zanzibar, the rains cease or drastically decrease already in June, so on this island, you can also go in June, while on the more northern island of Pemba, it still rains a bit in this month. If you want, you can also choose the months of January and February, between the two rainy seasons, though this period is hot and sultry.

What to pack



In winter (June to August): pack light clothes, a sweatshirt for the evening, a light scarf for the breeze, and sunscreen. When going to the reef, you can bring snorkeling equipment, including water shoes or rubber-soled shoes.
In summer (December to February): pack tropics-friendly, loose-fitting clothing, a light sweatshirt for the evening, a light raincoat or umbrella in December, and sunscreen. When going to the reef, you can bring snorkeling equipment, including water shoes or rubber-soled shoes.



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