Zanzibar Climate and Average Weather
Climate of Zanzibar: average temperatures, rainfall and seasons month by month.
Climate in Zanzibar month by month
Average high, average low and total rainfall, based on three years of reanalysis data.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 90° | 78° | 3,6 in | ★★★★☆ |
| February | 92° | 78° | 2,2 in | ★★★★☆ |
| March | 89° | 77° | 6,9 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| April | 83° | 76° | 15,2 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| May | 83° | 76° | 8,5 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| June | 82° | 74° | 3,9 in | ★★★★☆ |
| July | 82° | 72° | 1,8 in | ★★★★☆ |
| August | 84° | 72° | 1,3 in | ★★★★★ |
| September | 86° | 72° | 1,8 in | ★★★★☆ |
| October | 87° | 74° | 3,7 in | ★★★★☆ |
| November | 87° | 75° | 7,8 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| December | 88° | 77° | 5,6 in | ★★★☆☆ |
Climate type: Tropical. Source: Open-Meteo archive (ERA5).
Recent extremes in Zanzibar
Highest and lowest readings observed in the last 3 years of reanalysis data - not all-time records.
How Zanzibar compares with nearby places
Annual averages, and the difference against Zanzibar.
| Place | Distance | Avg temp | vs here | Annual rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zanzibar City | 0 mi | 80°F | about the same | 62 in |
| Mount Kilimanjaro | 249 mi | 17°F | 94°F cooler | 240 in |
| Ngorongoro Conservation Area | 327 mi | 64°F | 48°F cooler | 36 in |
| Jomo Kenyatta International Airport | 370 mi | 68°F | 44°F cooler | 35 in |
Climate by beach in Zanzibar
1 beaches mapped in this atlas
Best time to visit Zanzibar
Go in July, August and September. These months score highest on comfortable temperatures, low rainfall and useful daylight.
Hardest months: April, May and November - expect the least comfortable mix of heat, cold or rain.
What this means for Zanzibar
Today is about average for August. The forecast high of 84°F is in line with the 84°F typical for this month.
A 95% chance means rain is expected over most of the area. Plan indoor alternatives.
Wet roads are likely; braking distances roughly double in heavy rain.
Within 15 degrees of the equator, day length barely changes all year; seasons are defined by rain, not temperature.
Southern Hemisphere, so peak summer falls in December to February.
The gap between the warmest and coldest month averages 40°F - an unusually even climate through the year.
What to pack, what to skip
- Lightweight, light-coloured clothing and a refillable water bottle
- Sunglasses, a brimmed hat and SPF 30+
- A packable rain shell - 7 of the next 7 days carry a real chance of rain
- Insect repellent and quick-dry fabrics for humidity
- If your dates are flexible, avoid April, May and November - historically the least comfortable months here.
Summary
Zanzibar is an island in Tanzania. Zanzibar is an island known for Stone Town and spice plantations.
Right now it is 73°F (23°C) in Zanzibar with mainly clear. It feels like 80°F. Today runs from 73°F to 84°F. Chance of precipitation is 95%. Sightseeing conditions score 7.5/10 - good conditions.
The best time to visit Zanzibar is July, August and September. The climate is tropical. April, May and November tend to be the least comfortable months. February is the warmest month with average highs near 92°F, while August is the coldest with lows near 72°F.
Nearby highlights include Nungwi Beach.
In plain terms. Today is about average for August. The forecast high of 84°F is in line with the 84°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 6 PM to 9 PM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. fishing is the strongest bet in Zanzibar today at 8.7/10. Wet roads are likely; braking distances roughly double in heavy rain.
Compiled from this page's own data: atlas facts plus live Open-Meteo readings.
Quick facts about Zanzibar
Weather map for Zanzibar
Animated model layers. Pick a layer to load it.
Animated layers by Windy. For pin-level detail and nearby places, see the interactive map below.
Explore Zanzibar
Every topic we hold for this place, and the same topic for the places around it.
Climate for related places
Frequently asked questions
Where is Zanzibar?
Zanzibar is an island in Tanzania. Its coordinates are -6.1659, 39.2026. It lies in Africa.
What is the weather like in Zanzibar right now?
It is currently 73°F (23°C) with mainly clear. Humidity is 93% and wind is 3 mph.
When is the best time to visit Zanzibar?
July, August and September offer the most comfortable conditions in Zanzibar, which has a tropical climate. April, May and November are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is Zanzibar in?
Zanzibar observes Africa/Dar_es_Salaam (UTC+03:00). The local time is 11:09 AM.
What are the top things to do in Zanzibar?
Popular options include Nungwi Beach.
What places are in Zanzibar?
Zanzibar covers 1 places in this atlas, including Nungwi Beach.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (islands) - coordinates, hierarchy and facts. |
|---|---|
| Forecast and observations | Open-Meteo (ECMWF and national models). |
| Air quality and pollen | Copernicus CAMS via Open-Meteo. US AQI scale. |
| Climate averages | ERA5 reanalysis via the Open-Meteo archive, aggregated over 3 years. |
| Method | Scores, comparisons and advice on this page are computed from the inputs above. Distances are straight-line. Nothing is estimated where data is missing - the block is simply not shown. |
Last updated August 23, 2026 at 11:09 AM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
