Top 10 Things to Do in Zanzibar – The Ultimate Guide
Ten experiences that show Zanzibar's history, beaches, wildlife, food and ocean life, plus how many days to allow, where to stay and how to combine the island with a Tanzania safari.
Quick Answer: What are the best things to do in Zanzibar?
The best things to do in Zanzibar combine the island's history, beaches, wildlife, food and Indian Ocean experiences. For a first visit, start with Stone Town, a spice farm, Mnemba-area snorkelling, Jozani Forest, Nungwi or Kendwa Beach, Paje and Jambiani, Changuu Island, a Safari Blue-style dhow trip, Forodhani Gardens and a sunset dhow cruise.
Zanzibar is much more than a place to spend a few days beside a resort pool. Its main island, Unguja, brings together UNESCO-listed Swahili heritage, tropical forests, spice-growing traditions, coral reefs, fishing communities and very different beach environments within one destination. The Zanzibar Commission for Tourism highlights beaches, marine life, spice farms, nature and cultural heritage as core parts of the island experience.
Wildflip Safaris already offers Zanzibar itineraries and excursions covering Stone Town, beaches, snorkelling, spice farms, Safari Blue, dhow cruises and other island experiences, making the destination straightforward to combine with a wider Tanzania trip.
At a Glance: 10 Zanzibar Experiences Worth Planning For
| Experience | Best for |
|---|---|
| Stone Town | History, architecture, culture |
| Spice farm | Food, culture, families |
| Mnemba-area snorkelling | Marine life, couples, active travellers |
| Jozani Forest | Wildlife and nature |
| Nungwi & Kendwa | Swimming, beach time, sunsets |
| Paje & Jambiani | Kitesurfing, east-coast atmosphere |
| Changuu Island | History, tortoises, short boat trip |
| Safari Blue-style dhow day | Ocean adventure, groups, couples |
| Forodhani Gardens | Food and local atmosphere |
| Sunset dhow cruise | Couples, families, relaxed evenings |
01Explore the Historic Streets of Stone Town
If you only have time for one cultural experience in Zanzibar, make it Stone Town.
Stone Town sits on the western side of Unguja and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2000. UNESCO describes it as an important example of an East African Swahili trading town shaped by African, Arab, Indian and European influences. Its historic character is visible in its narrow streets, coral-stone buildings, courtyards, carved wooden doors, religious buildings and seafront architecture.
Plan this experience
- Best for
- First-time visitors, history lovers, photographers and travellers who want to understand Zanzibar beyond its beaches.
- Practical tip
- Give Stone Town at least half a day. One overnight stay is even better if you want to explore after the day-trip crowds thin out.
- Combine it with
- A spice farm, Changuu Island or an evening at Forodhani Gardens.
Wildflip's existing 4-day Zanzibar itinerary builds Stone Town into the start of the island experience before continuing towards the beach. Explore Wildflip's 4-day Zanzibar itinerary
02Take a Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour
A spice tour explains why Zanzibar is so closely associated with cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla, nutmeg and other aromatic crops.
Rather than simply seeing packets of spices in a market, a guided plantation visit lets you see how different plants grow and how they are traditionally cultivated, harvested and used. The Zanzibar Commission for Tourism specifically promotes spice-farm visits as an opportunity to learn about the island's history, agricultural traditions and culinary uses of spices.
This experience works particularly well after Stone Town because it connects the island's trading history with products still grown there today.
Plan this experience
- Best for
- Families, food lovers, culture-focused travellers and anyone visiting Zanzibar for the first time.
- Practical tip
- Choose a tour that focuses on the plants, growers and local context rather than turning the experience mainly into a souvenir stop.
- Combine it with
- Stone Town on the same day, or stop at a spice farm while transferring between Stone Town and the north coast.
Wildflip includes spice-farm experiences in several of its existing Zanzibar programmes.
03Snorkel or Dive Around Mnemba
For travellers who want to spend time underwater, the waters around Mnemba are one of Zanzibar's most sought-after marine excursions.
The Zanzibar Commission for Tourism presents Mnemba as a destination associated with clear Indian Ocean water and activities such as snorkelling and diving. The island itself is privately managed, so most visitors experience the area from boats and nearby reefs rather than treating Mnemba Island itself as a public beach destination.
Plan this experience
- Best for
- Snorkellers, divers, couples and travellers looking for an active ocean day.
- Practical tip
- Ask how the operator handles wildlife encounters. Avoid trips that chase dolphins or encourage touching marine animals.
- Combine it with
- Nungwi, Kendwa or a longer north-coast stay.
Wildflip's Zanzibar itineraries already include Mnemba snorkelling as an available island experience.
04See Zanzibar Red Colobus Monkeys in Jozani Forest
Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park provides a completely different side of Zanzibar from the island's beaches.
According to the park's official site, Jozani Chwaka Bay is Zanzibar's only national park and protects habitats including forest, mangrove and coastal ecosystems. It is especially known for the Zanzibar red colobus, an endemic primate associated with Unguja.
Guided forest walks are the main reason travellers visit, but the wider value of the park is that it introduces visitors to the island's terrestrial ecosystems and conservation work.
Plan this experience
- Best for
- Wildlife enthusiasts, families, photographers and travellers already spending time on the east or southeast coast.
- Practical tip
- Treat this as a wildlife encounter, not a photo prop. Follow your guide's instructions, keep a respectful distance and do not feed animals.
- Combine it with
- Paje, Jambiani or other southeast-coast experiences.
05Spend a Beach Day in Nungwi or Kendwa
For a classic Zanzibar beach experience, the north and northwest coasts are natural places to consider.
The Zanzibar Commission for Tourism identifies Nungwi and Kendwa among the island's notable northern beaches, while Wildflip's own destination guidance contrasts these northern areas with the more strongly tidal east coast.
Nungwi generally suits visitors who want more activity around them, while nearby Kendwa is particularly attractive for a relaxed beach day and west-facing sunset.
You do not need to fill every Zanzibar day with excursions. After safari drives, long-haul flights or an active Tanzania itinerary, leaving an unscheduled afternoon for swimming and resting can be one of the most enjoyable decisions of the trip.
Plan this experience
- Best for
- Couples, families, honeymooners and anyone prioritising swimming and relaxation.
- Practical tip
- If swimming flexibility matters to you, compare local tide conditions when choosing accommodation, particularly if you are also considering Zanzibar's east coast.
- Combine it with
- Mnemba-area snorkelling, a sunset cruise or a relaxed final few days after safari.
For a short trip, Wildflip's 5-day Zanzibar itinerary combines cultural sightseeing with time at Kendwa. View the 5-day Zanzibar itinerary
06Experience Paje and Jambiani on the East Coast
Paje and Jambiani offer a different rhythm from Zanzibar's northern resort areas.
Paje is particularly associated with kitesurfing, while Jambiani suits travellers looking for a quieter coastal base and more time around village life. Wildflip's beach guidance highlights Paje for kitesurfing and Jambiani for a more tranquil atmosphere.
Plan this experience
- Best for
- Kitesurfers, active travellers, couples and people who prefer a laid-back east-coast base.
- Practical tip
- Check daily tides before planning swimming, snorkelling or other water activities.
- Combine it with
- Jozani Forest or other southeast-coast stops.
07Visit Changuu Island, Also Known as Prison Island
Changuu Island is one of the most convenient boat excursions to combine with a Stone Town stay.
The Zanzibar Commission for Tourism notes that the island combines historical interest with swimming, snorkelling and a sanctuary containing giant tortoises. It is commonly visited as a day or half-day excursion from Stone Town.
The attraction is not only the tortoises. Its history gives the visit another layer, so a guide who can explain the island's changing uses is worthwhile.
Many itineraries combine Changuu with another nearby marine or sandbank stop rather than devoting an entire day to the island.
Plan this experience
- Best for
- Families, first-time visitors and travellers staying in Stone Town.
- Practical tip
- Confirm sea conditions and the exact itinerary before departure, particularly if your trip includes snorkelling.
- Combine it with
- Stone Town or a second boat stop.
08Spend a Day Sailing, Snorkelling and Visiting Sandbanks
A dhow-based ocean excursion adds one of Zanzibar's most distinctive day trips to an itinerary.
Wildflip's Zanzibar offering includes a full-day Safari Blue-style experience built around a traditional boat journey, snorkelling and sandbank stops. Its longer Zanzibar itinerary also places the experience around the waters of Menai Bay.
Plan this experience
- Best for
- Couples, families, groups of friends and travellers who enjoy boat days.
- Practical tip
- Ask exactly what is included before booking. Routes, meals, sandbank access and snorkelling stops can differ between operators and conditions.
- Combine it with
- A southeast or Stone Town stay, depending on the departure point of your chosen excursion.
09Eat Your Way Through Forodhani Gardens
Forodhani Gardens is one of the easiest places to add local food and evening atmosphere to a Stone Town visit.
The Zanzibar Commission for Tourism describes the seafront gardens as a popular gathering place where an evening food market brings together locals and visitors.
Rather than treating the market as a full sightseeing day, use it as the natural end to a Stone Town afternoon. Walk the historic lanes first, reach the waterfront as the temperature drops, then spend the evening sampling dishes or simply taking in the atmosphere.
Plan this experience
- Best for
- Food-focused travellers, couples, families and anyone staying overnight in Stone Town.
- Practical tip
- Ask prices before ordering and choose busy stalls where food turnover is high.
- Combine it with
- A Stone Town walking tour.
Forodhani also features in Wildflip's current short Zanzibar itinerary.
10Watch the Sunset from a Traditional Dhow
A sunset dhow cruise is a simple experience, but it makes an excellent final evening in Zanzibar.
Traditional wooden sailing boats remain one of the most recognisable sights along the Swahili coast, and Wildflip currently incorporates sunset dhow experiences into its Zanzibar programmes.
The atmosphere varies according to departure point. Stone Town offers a historic waterfront backdrop, while the north and other coastal areas give the experience a stronger beach setting.
Plan this experience
- Best for
- Couples, honeymooners, families and anyone looking for a slower activity after a full sightseeing day.
- Practical tip
- Check weather and sea conditions and choose an operator that does not overload the boat.
- Combine it with
- A beach afternoon or Stone Town sightseeing.
How Many Days Do You Need in Zanzibar?
For most first-time visitors, five to seven days gives a good balance between sightseeing and actually enjoying the coast.
Current 2026 itinerary content and traveller planning discussions repeatedly centre on roughly this duration because it leaves room for Stone Town, one main beach base and a few excursions without changing hotels every day.
A useful way to think about it is:
| Time available | What to prioritise |
|---|---|
| 3–4 days | Stone Town + one beach area + one major excursion |
| 5–7 days | Stone Town + beach stay + 2–3 experiences |
| 8–10 days | Slower pace, two coastal areas and more ocean/nature activities |
Wildflip currently has Zanzibar programmes spanning four, five, six and ten days, so the island portion can be adapted around the rest of a Tanzania journey rather than forcing every traveller into the same schedule.
Where Should You Stay in Zanzibar?
The right base depends more on what you want to do than on finding one universally "best" area.
Stone Town
Choose Stone Town if history, food, architecture and easy access to cultural sightseeing matter most. It works particularly well for the first or final night of an island itinerary.
Nungwi or Kendwa
Choose the north if beach time, swimming and sunsets are high priorities. These areas also work well as bases for marine excursions.
Paje
Choose Paje for kitesurfing, a more active beach scene and the distinctive tidal landscape of Zanzibar's east coast.
Jambiani
Choose Jambiani if you prefer a quieter southeast-coast atmosphere and want to slow the trip down.
A split stay often makes more sense than trying to commute repeatedly across the island. Recent traveller discussions commonly combine Stone Town with either north-coast or southeast-coast nights.
What Is the Best Time to Visit Zanzibar?
The Zanzibar Commission for Tourism identifies June to October as the main dry-season period and a particularly suitable time for outdoor activities, beach time and exploring the island.
Zanzibar receives visitors throughout the year, however, and the best month can depend on whether your priority is beach relaxation, diving, kitesurfing, wildlife or combining Zanzibar with a mainland safari.
For ocean excursions, always check local sea and weather conditions even during a generally favourable season.
Is Zanzibar Worth Visiting After a Tanzania Safari?
Yes, especially if you want to combine two very different sides of Tanzania in one journey.
Wildflip already structures several itineraries specifically around this safari + Zanzibar format, including combinations involving Northern Circuit wildlife areas followed by island time.
Practical Zanzibar Travel Tips
- Plan around the tide. This is particularly important on the east coast, where the difference between high and low tide strongly changes the beach experience.
- Respect local culture. Zanzibar has a predominantly Muslim cultural context. Current UK travel guidance advises visitors to dress modestly away from tourist resorts, particularly in Stone Town.
- Choose responsible wildlife experiences. Do not chase dolphins, remove starfish from the sea, touch coral or pressure guides to create guaranteed wildlife encounters. Zanzibar wildlife organisations point visitors toward government dolphin-watching guidelines and responsible wildlife practices.
- Check entry requirements before travelling. Tanzania Immigration's official eVisa service applies to both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, but visa requirements depend on nationality and can change.
- Do not overlook Zanzibar's mandatory inbound insurance requirement. As of September 2026, Zanzibar Insurance Corporation states that mandatory inbound travel insurance applies to foreign visitors even if they already hold other travel or medical insurance. Because rules and fees can change, verify this again shortly before departure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zanzibar
For a balanced first trip, combine Stone Town, a spice farm, snorkelling around Mnemba, Jozani Forest, Nungwi or Kendwa Beach, Paje or Jambiani, Changuu Island, an ocean dhow excursion, Forodhani Gardens and a sunset cruise.
Plan Your Zanzibar Journey Around You
The best Zanzibar itinerary is not the one that fits the largest number of attractions into each day. It is the one that balances culture, ocean experiences and enough unscheduled time to actually enjoy the island.
Wildflip Safaris creates tailor-made Tanzania and Zanzibar journeys around travellers' dates, interests, pace and budget, including standalone Zanzibar holidays and safari-and-beach combinations.
