Top 10 Things to do in Zanzibar: A Traveler’s Guide

Zanzibar is an East African paradise brimming with vibrant culture, idyllic beaches, and historical depth. Located off the coast of Tanzania, this archipelago promises a kaleidoscope of adventures—from savoring local cuisine and sailing on a traditional dhow to observing red colobus monkeys in lush forests. Wondering which things to do in Zanzibar should top your bucket list? Below, I’ll share my top 10 picks, enriched by personal experiences, cost details, and tips on how to make the most of each activity. Dive in, and prepare to transform your trip into an unforgettable journey! If you have more time in Tanzania and want a safari experience, combine your Zanzibar activities with mainland wildlife exploration—trust me, it’s life-changing.

1. Take a Spice Tour | Zanzibar activities

You can’t talk about things to do in Zanzibar Tanzania without mentioning a spice tour. After all, Zanzibar is nicknamed the “Spice Island” for a reason. Spice farms across the island grow aromatic crops like cloves, nutmeg, vanilla, and cinnamon—integral to local cooking, cosmetics, and healing traditions.

What to Expect

• Duration & Cost: Most tours last 2–3 hours, with prices ranging from $15 to $30 per person, often including a guided farm walk and tasting sessions.
• Hands-On Learning: Watch farmers harvest spices straight from the vine or tree, then smell and taste them on the spot.
• Cooking Demos: Some tours offer live cooking demonstrations showcasing how these spices appear in local Swahili dishes—everything from fragrant pilau rice to spicy curries.

♥ Pack sunscreen, a hat, and water. It gets hot among the dense foliage, and you’ll be sniffing and sampling lots of spices—so keep your palate fresh with sips of water. I especially loved seeing fresh cinnamon bark peeled in front of me—an eye-opener to how labor-intensive spice farming really is.

2. Explore Stone Town | Top Things to do in Zanzibar

Stone Town is the cultural and historical heartbeat of Zanzibar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s high on the list of things to do in Zanzibar. Wandering through its labyrinthine alleys is akin to time-traveling through centuries of Swahili, Arabian, Indian, and European influences.

Key Sights & Costs

• House of Wonders ($3–$5 entry): Once a sultan’s palace, showcasing old photographs and relics of Zanzibar’s royal past.
• Old Fort (free to enter): Great for snapping photos of the crumbling battlements and local artisans selling crafts.
• Darajani Market (free to enter): Expect pungent fish stalls, piles of tropical fruit, and the ever-present aroma of spices.
• Forodhani Gardens (free to enter): Come at night for the lively street-food market, where you can sample grilled seafood, sugarcane juice, and the famous “Zanzibar pizza.”

» Stone Town’s alleys can be overwhelming if you’re new. I recommend hiring a local guide ($15–$25 for a half-day). They’ll help you navigate hidden corners, negotiate better prices at shops, and understand the deeper cultural context behind each building.

Market Memo: If the fish and meat stalls in Darajani Market smell too intense, step outside for fresh air. It’s still worth glimpsing daily life—just brace yourself for sensory overload!

3. Visit Prison Island

When compiling your top things to do in Zanzibar in Tanzania, Prison Island often appears near the top. Historically, it served as a quarantine station for enslaved people. Today, it’s a tranquil getaway known for its giant Aldabra tortoises, crystal-clear waters, and a small but serene beach.

Logistics & Costs

• Boat Ride: Around $20–$30 per boat (up to 4–6 people) from Stone Town’s harbor. Negotiation is key; official tours might be slightly pricier but include a guide.
• Entrance Fee: $4–$5 per person to access the tortoise sanctuary.
• Activities: Tortoise feeding, beach relaxation, and short snorkeling near the shore.

♥ Grabbing some lettuce and veggies was one of my favorite Zanzibar activities! If your guide allows it—tortoises love it, and you’ll have fun feeding them. Also, wear water shoes if you plan to snorkel; the seabed can be rocky in spots.

Tortoises: Some of these giants are over 100 years old! Treat them gently—no standing or climbing on them or invading their space.

4. Go on a Dolphin and Snorkeling Trip

Nothing screams the best Zanzibar activities more than snorkeling in turquoise waters and potentially swimming near wild dolphins. Kizimkazi, located on the island’s south coast, is famous for its resident bottlenose and humpback dolphins. I’ve always dreamed of these Zanzibar activities and I think back at it every so often!

Tour Packages & Costs

• Timing: Most tours start early (around 6–7 am), because dolphins are more active in the morning.
• Cost: $30–$50 per person for a half-day excursion, typically including snorkeling gear and a boat ride.
• Wild Dolphin Etiquette: Operators will usually let you slip into the water if dolphins are calm. However, sightings are not guaranteed—these are wild animals, after all.

Always choose operators who respect marine life. Avoid tours that chase or corner dolphins. Nothing’s worse than seeing these magnificent creatures stressed out for tourist photos.

♥ Snorkel Spot: Menai Bay Conservation Area is also a popular region for spotting turtles, colorful fish, and vibrant coral reefs after your dolphin encounter. Please respect nature, don’t come to close and never step on the coral.

5. Visit and relax at Nungwi Beach

At the northern tip of the island, Nungwi Beach is famed for its soft white sand and swaying palm trees. If you’re craving a laid-back vibe, sunbathing, and postcard sunsets, add Nungwi to your what to do in Zanzibar bucket list.

Beach Activities

• Beach Volleyball: Many resorts host casual matches ($0—just join in!).
• Water Sports: Kayaking or paddleboarding rentals cost around $10–$20 an hour.
• Local Seafood: Indulge in fresh catches of the day. Try grilled octopus or coconut fish curry at local beach shacks ($5–$15 per meal).

» I stayed at Dreams Zanzibar and adored waking up to sunrise beach walks. Nungwi tends to have fewer tidal variations, so the water is swimmable most of the day. If you love quiet mornings, stroll down the shore around 7 am, before day-trippers flood in.

6. Go on a Safari (Combine with Tanzania)

One of the top things to do in Zanzibar and Tanzania —especially if you have time—is combining an island stay with a mainland safari. After relaxing on beaches and exploring Stone Town, fly to the Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater for big-game viewing.

Safari Logistics

• Flight: Quick 1–2 hour flights from Zanzibar to mainland Tanzania’s Arusha or Serengeti airstrips. Round-trip flights cost $200–$500, depending on season.
• Park Fees: Serengeti daily entry is around $70–$80, plus camping or lodge fees.
• Tour Package: Multi-day safaris range from budget (camping) at $200 per day to luxury lodges at $600 per day or more.

♥ If you’re short on time, a 2–3 day safari to Ngorongoro Crater or Selous Game Reserve can be enough to glimpse lions, giraffes, elephants, and more. Check your Zanzibar & Safari in Tanzania: 10-Day Route for a well-planned itinerary.

7. Visit the Jozani Forest

Craving Zanzibar activities beyond beaches? Head to Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, a protected forest and wetland area near the island’s southeast. Home to the endangered red colobus monkey and other wildlife, Jozani offers an eco-friendly retreat into nature.

Practical Info

• Entry Fee: Around $10 per person, including a local guide.
• Trail Length: Expect a leisurely 1-hour hike among towering mahogany and palm trees.
• Mangrove Boardwalk: A separate short walk through mangrove swamps, perfect for pictures.

Go in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid midday heat. The red colobus monkeys are quite social; you’ll often see them jumping between branches. But remember—no feeding or touching them, as it disrupts their foraging habits.

Eco-Note: Sticking to designated walkways helps protect the forest floor.

» Looking for beautiful villas with private pools to stay?

8. Go Scuba Diving

For adrenaline junkies, diving is a highlight among things to do in Zanzibar —the coral reefs are bursting with color, and you might spot turtles, moray eels, and even whale sharks if you’re lucky. Top dive areas include Mnemba Atoll, Mafia Island (though that’s a separate island off the Tanzanian coast), and the reefs near Stone Town.

Costs & Conditions | Zanzibar activities

• Introductory Dive: $70–$100, including gear and instructor fees.
• Two-Tank Dive: $120–$150 for certified divers.
• Visibility: Typically 10–30 meters, depending on season (best from October to March).

♥ Stay hydrated before your dive, and always do a refresher course if you haven’t dived in a while. Some operators run combined snorkel-and-dive boats, making it easy if you have non-diving friends traveling with you.

Bonus: If you want pure luxury, combine diving with a stay at one of the 10 Luxury Villas with Private Pool in Zanzibar so you can rinse off in style post-dive.

9. Visit the Zanzibar Museum

Sometimes overlooked among the flashier things to do in Zanzibar, Tanzania – the Zanzibar Museum (also known as the Peace Memorial Museum) is a treasure trove for history lovers. Learn about the island’s past as a hub of trade—spices, slaves, and more.

• Slave Exhibit: Offers a stark look at the region’s role in the East African slave trade.
• Coral Stone Exhibit: Demonstrates how coral has been used as a building material for centuries.
• Spice Exhibit: Ties in perfectly with your spice tour experience.
• Gift Shop: Great for snagging coffee-table books on Swahili culture or postcards showing old Stone Town.

Admission & Tips

• Entrance Fee: $5–$8, payable at the door.
• Guided Tour: Some independent guides linger around the museum entrance offering tours for $10–$15. Decide if you want extra insight; otherwise, the signage is decent.

» I found the slave exhibit especially moving. It’s easy to get lost in Zanzibar’s beauty, but understanding its turbulent history can deepen your appreciation for the island’s resilience.

10. Go on a Dhow Cruise

A dhow cruise is among the most magical things to do in Zanzibar—and arguably one of the top ideas for couples or anyone who loves a sunset spectacle on the water. A dhow is a traditional Arabian-style wooden boat, a vivid reminder of the island’s long history of maritime trade.

Tour Details

• Cost: $30–$60 per person for a sunset cruise (2–3 hours), often including light snacks and beverages.
• Departure: Stone Town is a common starting point, though Nungwi also has operators.
• Inclusions: Fresh seasonal fruit, water or soft drinks, sometimes local live music or Taarab tunes.

Book an evening cruise to watch the sun dip below the Indian Ocean horizon—some tours will time it so you’re returning right as the sky glows pink and orange. If you’re craving more intimacy, private charters can be arranged (starting around $150–$200 for 2–3 hours, for a small group).

Practical Tips for Your Zanzibar Trip

1. Visa Requirements
   • Most travelers need a visa to enter Tanzania ($50–$100, depending on nationality). You can often get a visa on arrival at the airport, though e-visas are also available online.
2. Currency
   • The local currency is Tanzanian Shilling, but US dollars are widely accepted. Always keep small notes for tips and local market purchases.
3. Vaccinations & Health
   • Check if you need Yellow Fever vaccination (required if you’re coming from or transiting through a Yellow Fever-endemic country). Malaria prophylaxis is recommended—consult your doctor.
4. Transportation
   • Daladalas (local minibuses) are very cheap but can be crowded. Private taxis or guided tours are more comfortable, though costlier ($20–$60, depending on distance).
5. Best Time to Visit
   • Dry seasons (June–October, December–February) are ideal for clear skies and fewer mosquitoes. The wet seasons (March–May, November) can see heavy rain, but deals are often cheaper.

Stay Inspired: For more Zanzibar tips, check your Zanzibar Travel Guide—it’s packed with local insights, seasonal guidance, and more in-depth info on Zanzibar activities.

On the move: Embrace the Spirit of Zanzibar

Whether you’re a history buff, a beach bum, or an adrenaline junkie, there’s no shortage of things to do in Zanzibar, Tanzania. From the hush of Jozani Forest to the bustling markets of Stone Town, from diving into turquoise depths to savoring a romantic dhow cruise, these Zanzibar activities will leave you in awe of the island’s natural beauty and cultural tapestry. By combining any of these top 10 experiences (plus a few personal favorites) with a short mainland Tanzania safari, you’ll craft a well-rounded, once-in-a-lifetime African escape.

Ready to Book?

• Check out your Tanzania Travel Guide for our safari recommendations.
• Peek at the Zanzibar & Safari in Tanzania: 10-Day Route if you want a step-by-step plan.
• Or treat yourself to a luxurious stay at one of these 10 Luxury Villas with Private Pool in Zanzibar to unwind in style after your day’s Zanzibar activities.
• Want to know more about my favorite hotel in Zanzibar i’ve ever stayed in?

Asante Sana (thank you) for reading, and karibu (“welcome” in Swahili) to this enchanting island in Tanzania. May your days be filled with palm-fringed beaches, flavorful spices, and the warm smiles of local Zanzibaris!