Zanzibar · Month comparison
June vs July
June ranks #1 overall vs July at #2. The dry season opens — whale sharks arrive, ZIFF kicks off, and Zanzibar is at its most rewarding.
June
#1 of 12 months
Best match
The dry season opens — whale sharks arrive, ZIFF kicks off, and Zanzibar is at its most rewarding.
- ↑Whale shark season begins (June–September) — snorkelling with whale sharks off the south coast near Diani is one of East Africa's most extraordinary wildlife encounters, and Zanzibar is one of the most reliable locations in the world for it
- ↑Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) runs in late June to early July — Stone Town's Old Fort hosts outdoor screenings, concerts, and cultural events in what is the island's most important annual event after Sauti za Busara
July
#2 of 12 months
Best match
Peak dry season — whale sharks, ZIFF finale, Festival of the Dhow Countries, and perfect beach conditions.
- ↑The driest and clearest month of the cool season: 28mm of rain, 8.2 sunshine hours, and the best underwater visibility of the year — Mnemba Atoll diving and Nungwi snorkelling are at their finest
- ↑Whale shark season peaks in July and August — encounters are more frequent than June and the south coast tours are fully operational with experienced guides and well-maintained equipment
| Factor | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 8 | 9 |
| Value score | 7 | 5 |
| Crowd score | 7 | 5 |
| Events score | 8 | 9 |
| Atmosphere | 7 | 8 |
| Avg high temp | 27°C | 26°C |
| Monthly rain | 42mm | 28mm |
| Daily sunshine | 7.8hrs | 8.2hrs |
June trade-offs
- ↓It's the coolest month of the year by Zanzibar standards at 27°C — still warm, but the evenings can feel genuinely cool for those acclimatised to tropical heat; bring a light layer for Stone Town evenings
- ↓The south-east trade winds (kaskazi) blow through June with some strength — excellent for kite surfers but creating choppier conditions for snorkelling on exposed reefs
- ↓ZIFF brings a spike in Stone Town accommodation demand in its specific week — book ahead for the festival period
July trade-offs
- ↓International school holidays bring European visitors in numbers — Stone Town's narrow lanes and the best beach positions are at their busiest for the year, and accommodation prices reflect demand
- ↓At 26°C, July is the coolest month of the year — ideal for activity but the evenings are genuinely cool; not the sweaty tropical heat of January, which some visitors prefer
- ↓The trade winds are at their most consistent — kite surfers love it, but swimmers and snorkellers on exposed beaches will encounter more chop than in the calmer months of December and January
Scores compare months within Zanzibar. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →