Zanzibar is an archipelago, formed by two main islands, Unguja (also called Zanzibar) and Pemba, and 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. The total annual rainfall is about 1,600 millimetres (63 inches) in Zanzibar, and 1,900 mm (75 in) in Pemba. April and May are the wettest months, in which downpours can be really strong, and can cause floods. However, some short thunderstorms can occur throughout the year.
Here is the average precipitation in Zanzibar.

The warmest period goes 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, in which the southeast trade winds predominate, is cooler, with highs around 29 °C (84 °F).
Here are the average temperatures in Zanzibar.

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.



The sea is always warm enough for swimming: the water temperature ranges from 25 °C (77 °F) in August, to 29 °C (84 °F) from December to April.

Tropical cyclones

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The archipelago is located near the equator (Zanzibar is 6 degrees south latitude, Pemba 5 degrees), at the limit of the area where tropical cyclones can form; in fact it is hardly ever affected by them, probably also for a matter of currents, but it can not be excluded that a Southern Hemisphere cyclone may pass close enough to cause storm surges, from November to mid-May, but especially from late December to mid-April. However, the chronicles say that on April 15, 1872, the archipelago was fully hit by a cyclone.

When to go

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The best months to enjoy the sun and the sea of Zanzibar are July, August and September. In Zanzibar the rains cease or greatly decrease already in June, so in this island you can also go in June, while in 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

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