Zanzibar · Tanzania

March

The transition month — hot, increasingly wet, and prices beginning to soften before the April rains.

Strong option

#10 of 12 months

There are better months for Zanzibar — see the full ranking below.

See when to go instead →

Climate

High

32°C

Low

24°C

Rain

108mm

Sun

7.2hrs/day

30-year climate normals · Open Meteo ERA5

How March scores in Zanzibar

Weather

Above average

Value

Above average

Crowds

Good

Events

Average

Atmosphere

Good

What you gain in March

↑Prices ease from the peak season rates of December–February; March represents the beginning of the shoulder season and accommodation rates start to become more negotiable
↑Kite surfing season at Paje extends into March with decent wind consistency — the full infrastructure of kite schools and accommodation is operational and less crowded than January
↑The crowds of peak season have thinned — Stone Town's narrow lanes and spice market are more navigable and the best restaurants are accessible without the wait times of January and February

What you sacrifice

↓Rainfall picks up significantly: 108mm marks the beginning of the pre-rainy season transition, with showers becoming more frequent and less predictable; beach days still happen but require flexibility
↓The long rains (Masika) are approaching — March can feel oppressive with the combination of heat, humidity, and increasing cloud cover; the reliably dry beach weather of January and February has ended
↓Some seasonal operations — particularly the whale shark encounter tours around Diani — wind down before the April rains; check specific activities before booking in March

How March compares to June (best month)

Factor	March	June ★
Weather	5	8
Value	5	7
Crowds	6	7

Full comparison: March vs June →

← February All months →April →

March in other destinations

Climate data: 30-year normals (1991–2020) from Open Meteo ERA5 reanalysis. Scores compare months within Zanzibar, not across destinations. Methodology →