Zanzibar · Tanzania
August
Still excellent dry season — whale sharks, clear water, and the European summer holiday crowd.
Strong option
#5 of 12 months
There are better months for Zanzibar — see the full ranking below.
See when to go instead →Climate
High
26°C
Low
20°C
Rain
28mm
Sun
8.5hrs/day
30-year climate normals · Open Meteo ERA5
How August scores in Zanzibar
Weather
Outstanding
Value
Average
Crowds
Average
Events
Good
Atmosphere
Very good
What you gain in August
- ↑Whale shark encounters continue at peak reliability through August — the season's most productive months are July and August, and south coast tours run almost daily with high sighting rates
- ↑The best diving conditions of the year continue: warm shallow reefs, clear visibility, and Mnemba Atoll accessible from Matemwe and Nungwi — one of the most biodiverse marine environments in the Indian Ocean
- ↑Nungwi and Kendwa beaches on the north coast are at their best — sheltered year-round from tidal variation, the swimming is excellent and the sunset strip is at full energy
What you sacrifice
- ↓European school summer holidays peak in August — this is the busiest month for international tourism and accommodation prices reflect it; quality resorts require booking months ahead
- ↓Crowds on the north coast beaches and in Stone Town's key sites are at their annual maximum — the Freddie Mercury birthplace, the Arab Fort, and the spice market all feel genuinely packed
- ↓The trade winds continue — reliable for kite surfing, but the kite schools at Paje are at maximum capacity in August and lessons should be booked in advance
How August compares to June (best month)
| Factor | August | June ★ |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | 9 | 8 |
| Value | 4 | 7 |
| Crowds | 4 | 7 |
August in other destinations
Lisbon (26.5°C)Barcelona (28.6°C)Tokyo (32.1°C)Bali (29.9°C)Santorini (26°C)Paris (24.3°C)New York (27.7°C)Marrakech (35.8°C)Amsterdam (21.4°C)Maldives (30.3°C)Rome (30.4°C)Bangkok (31.5°C)Istanbul (28°C)Vienna (25.9°C)Seoul (29°C)Dubrovnik (28.5°C)Rio de Janeiro (25.9°C)Kyoto (33.7°C)Phuket (31.3°C)Cape Town (17.2°C)Prague (26°C)Amalfi Coast (31°C)Mexico City (23°C)Medellín (29°C)Fiji (26°C)London (24°C)Sydney (18°C)Iceland (14°C)Tulum (33°C)Dubai (42°C)Singapore (32°C)Hoi An (33°C)Chiang Mai (31°C)Miami (33.3°C)Florence (31.8°C)Queenstown (9°C)Madrid (35.2°C)Porto (27°C)Edinburgh (19°C)Copenhagen (22°C)Budapest (28°C)Kraków (24°C)Tbilisi (31°C)Palawan (30°C)Hanoi (32°C)Osaka (34°C)Goa (30°C)Cusco (20°C)Buenos Aires (15°C)Mykonos (30°C)Sri Lanka (30°C)Costa Rica (25°C)
Climate data: 30-year normals (1991–2020) from Open Meteo ERA5 reanalysis. Scores compare months within Zanzibar, not across destinations. Methodology →