Planning a trip to Zanzibar? You’re in for something special.

I’m sure you’re picturing white sand and bright turquoise water, but believe it or not, there’s even more to Zanzibar than its stunning beaches! You’ve also got the winding alleyways of Stone Town and spice farms that give the island its nickname, not to mention some of the best snorkeling and diving in East Africa. We loved Zanzibar because we could spend one day learning all about the island’s history, and the next out on the ocean. 

So now, we’ve rounded up the top things to do in Zanzibar so you can plan a trip that mixes adventure and culture, plus beach time, of course! Let’s get into it.

Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!

This is the tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP!

Our personal FAVORITE thing we did was this Mnemba Island snorkeling tour! We got to swim with dolphins and spot rare marine life while snorkeling in the stunning blue water – incredible!

Check out the 500+ reviews and book this tour here!

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Things to do in Zanzibar

1. See Zanzibar’s highlights: Stone Town, Prison Island, and a spice tour

• Duration: 9 hours
• Time: 9 am
• Highlights: Explore the historic streets of Stone Town, visit a spice farm to see and taste local spices, take a boat trip to Prison Island to see giant tortoises, and learn about Zanzibar’s culture and history with a guide
• Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop off, local guide, lunch, drinks, entrance fees
• Rating: 4.6 stars (check 100+ reviews here)
• Free cancellation: Yes
• Price: Check price here!

I think that this Zanzibar highlights tour is the best option if you want a little bit of everything in one day! It gives you history, culture, food, and one of the island’s most famous wildlife experiences, so it’s an incredible introduction to this fascinating island.

I loved that it started in Stone Town, because wandering through the old streets really gives you a feel for Zanzibar beyond the beaches. There’s so much history here, and having a guide made a huge difference since you get context behind the buildings and landmarks instead of just passing by.

The spice farm was another highlight for me. Zanzibar is known as the Spice Island for a reason, and it was so much fun seeing where things like cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, and nutmeg actually grow. It was really interactive, too, and the fresh fruit and local lunch made it even better.

Then there’s Prison Island, where I not only got to see the resident giant Aldabra tortoises, but snorkeled alongside them! This was a true bucket list experience for me, and I was amazed to learn that some of the tortoises were over 150 years old! 

This tour is a one-stop shop of Zanzibar’s highlights. It’s an epic introduction to the island, and it’s perfect for those who are short on time. And I’m not the only one who thinks so – you can read over a hundred glowing reviews here!

Book this private Zanzibar tour here and enjoy free cancellation!

2. Snorkel and swim with dolphins on Mnemba Island

• Duration: 4 hours
• Time: 8:30 am
• Highlights: Swim with dolphins near Mnemba Island, snorkel in clear turquoise waters, relax on a sandbank, fresh tropical fruit on the boat, small group experience
• Inclusions: Snorkeling equipment, local guide, bottled water, tropical fruit, boat transfer, all fees and taxes
• Rating: 4.7 stars (check 550+ reviews here)
• Free cancellation: Yes
• Price: Check price here!

This dolphin-spotting tour was easily one of the most fun things I did in Zanzibar. We headed out early, and the water looked an almost unreal shade of blue the whole way over to Mnemba. The experience started out feeling pretty chilled out, but the pace really picked up once we found the dolphins.

When the captain spotted the dolphins, we really didn’t have much time to think! We just had to snap our snorkel masks on and jump straight into the water. It’s not a slow, gentle swim alongside them, and sightings below the water are quite brief. It’s very exciting, though, and we managed to see dolphins quite a few times! 

After that, the tour slowed down again, and we enjoyed a more relaxed snorkeling experience closer to Mnemba. The water was super clear, and it was nice to just float around and spot colorful fish around the reef after all the hectic jumping on and off the boat earlier on.

Then, we finished the tour on a high note with a visit to a sandbank, where we found ourselves standing in the middle of the ocean with nothing around us but shallow turquoise water. It was a pinch-me moment for sure! 

One thing I would say is definitely take a seasickness tablet before you go. I didn’t, and I regretted it pretty quickly. Our journey was a bit choppy in places, and I got a bit queasy, so it’s worth being prepared to make sure that you can actually enjoy the whole experience.

Book our FAVORITE Zanzibar tour here, with free 24-hour cancellation!

3. Relax on Nungwi Beach

Nungwi Beach is our favorite place to hang out and just enjoy being in Zanzibar. If you’ve been packing your days with tours and activities, this is where you come to switch off for a bit! The sand is soft and white, and the water is that bright turquoise you see in brochures. It’s also one of the few beaches on the island where you can actually swim all day without worrying too much about the tides, so what’s not to love?

We actually ended up spending way longer here than we planned. We just wanted to stop by for an hour and see what all the fuss was about, but suddenly it was mid-afternoon and we were still there! The water was calm and clear, so it was perfect for swimming, and there were tons of beach bars and restaurants around, so we ended up grabbing something to eat as well.

There’s also a bit more going on here compared to other beaches in Zanzibar. You’ll see traditional wooden dhow boats heading out and locals playing football on the sand, as well as beach vendors walking past selling souvenirs, sunglasses, and the like. It’s lively, but it’s not overwhelmingly busy, and we really liked the buzz of it. 

If you’re staying in the north of the island, you can easily come to this beach every day! And if you’re based elsewhere, it’s worth making the trip up here for at least one proper beach day. Nungwi is exactly the kind of beach you come to Zanzibar for!

4. Go skydiving

• Duration: 2 hours
• Time: Multiple time slots available throughout the day 
• Highlights: Tandem skydive over Zanzibar’s coastline, incredible views of turquoise water and white beaches, freefall experience with a professional instructor, smooth beach landing, photos and videos included
• Inclusions: Pre-flight training, professional instructor, safety equipment, photos and videos, private transport
• Rating: 5.0 stars (check 950+ reviews here)
• Free cancellation: Yes
• Price: Check price here!

If you’re going to go skydiving, I really think it should be somewhere ridiculously beautiful, and Zanzibar definitely qualifies! This is not the kind of place where you do a jump just for the adrenaline and forget about the view. Between the bright blue water, the white sand, and the coastline stretching out below you, this looks like the kind of skydive that feels just as special on the way up as it does during the jump itself.

What I like about this skydiving tour is that it strikes a great balance between thrilling and approachable. It’s a tandem skydive, so you’re attached to a professional instructor the whole time. I mean, the whole thing is obviously a huge adrenaline rush, but you still want to feel like you’re in good hands!

And seriously, what could be better than landing on Kendwa’s white sandy beach? That alone makes this stand out from a lot of other skydives! Plenty of places can give you the free-fall part, but not many give you tropical island views and a beach landing at the end of it.

Now, this experience is definitely a splurge, but skydiving is definitely one of those experiences where the setting makes a massive difference. If you’re ever going to do it, it really should be somewhere scenic like Zanzibar! And even if you’ve jumped before, I truly can’t think of many better backdrops to go again.

Read 950+ 5-star reviews and book this tandem skydive here!

5. Explore the island on a quad bike adventure 

• Duration: 4 hours
• Time: 9 am or 2 pm
• Highlights: Ride quad bikes through Zanzibar’s countryside, visit local villages and meet the community, stop at quiet beaches, see a different side of the island beyond the resorts, and enjoy fresh tropical fruit along the way
• Inclusions: Quad bike and fuel, helmet and safety briefing, local guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, refreshments, photos and videos
• Rating: 4.9 stars (check 400+ reviews here)
• Free cancellation: Yes
• Price: Check prices here!

If you want to see a totally different side of Zanzibar, this ATV tour is such a good one to book! A lot of people come here and stick to the beach clubs, hotels, and boat trips, which is great, but this gives you a look at the island beyond that.

The beauty of this tour is that you’re not just sitting in one beautiful spot all day. Instead, you’ll be moving through remote villages and quieter stretches of coastline that most visitors never get to see! 

That’s what makes this stand out to me. Of course, quad biking is a lot of fun in itself, but it’s really the mix of scenery and local life that makes it more interesting than a standard adventure tour. You get the thrill of driving the quads, but you also get to stop at beaches, pass through rural areas, and even spend time in a village, which gives the whole experience a lot more depth.

I also think this is a great option if you’ve already done some of Zanzibar’s classic activities and want something that feels a bit different! Do bear in mind that you will get dusty, and probably pretty dirty, so definitely don’t wear anything you care too much about. But honestly, getting dirty is part of the fun with an ATV tour! So if you want to get off the resort-beach circuit for a few hours, this tour is an epic way to do it – and the hundreds of 5-star reviews certainly attest to that! 

Grab your spot on this exciting ATV tour here before it sells out!

6. Kitesurf in Paje 

Kitesurfing in Paje is easily one of the most iconic things to do in Zanzibar. This stretch of coastline is known for its steady winds and wide, shallow lagoon, so it’s ideal for both beginners and experienced kitesurfers. On a windy afternoon, the whole beach fills with colorful kites and people gliding across the water. Even if you don’t join in yourself, it’s a lot of fun to just sit and watch! 

What makes Paje so great is how accessible it is. If you’ve always wanted to try kitesurfing, this is an amazing place to do it. The shallow water makes it a lot less intimidating when you’re starting out, and there are plenty of schools along the beach offering lessons.

Paje also has a slightly more lively, social vibe compared to some of Zanzibar’s quieter beaches. There are beach bars and cafés, and we enjoy the steady buzz of activity throughout the day, especially when the wind picks up. 

7. Get outside and see the Jozani Forest and Kuza Cave

• Duration: 7-8 hours
• Time: 8:30 am 
• Highlights: Visit Jozani Forest and spot red colobus monkeys, swim in the Kuza Cave, relax on Paje Beach, stop at the iconic Rock Restaurant, see a mix of Zanzibar’s nature, culture, and coastline in one day
• Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, transportation, local guide, entrance fees (depending on option), bottled water
• Rating: 4.7 stars (check 90+ reviews here!)
• Free cancellation: Yes
• Price: Check price here!

If you’re not the kind of person who just wants to relax nonstop, I highly recommend this forest and cave tour. It offers so much variety, with mangroves, monkeys, and the chance to swim in a natural cave. It’s a full-on jungle adventure! 

Jozani Forest is probably the biggest highlight for most people. It’s one of the best places to see Zanzibar’s red colobus monkeys, and that alone makes it worth the stop! These endangered animals are only found in Zanzibar, so this is really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. 

Then, you’ll visit Kuza Cave for a refreshing swim, which provides welcome relief from Zanzibar’s heat and humidity. It adds something completely different to your trip, especially if you’ve mostly been spending time on the coast! I would recommend bringing water shoes if you have them, because the rocks can be sharp and slippery in places.

The tour also gives you a taste of Zanzibar’s east coast with a stop at the stunning Paje Beach, which, as I mentioned earlier, has a totally different atmosphere from places like Nungwi. It’s a nice place to take a break and watch all of the kitesurfers doing their thing! 

Then there’s a stop at The Rock for a late lunch, or just a quick photo stop if you prefer. This is a private tour, so the choice is yours! Either way, this is one of the island’s most iconic photo stops, and I’m sure you’ve probably seen it on Instagram if you’ve ever searched Zanzibar there. The only thing I’d note is that if you want to eat at The Rock, you should make a reservation separately in advance.

Book this private Zanzibar adventure tour here and get a taste of the island’s variety!

8. Take a cooking class to learn local dishes and spices 

• Duration: 5 hours
• Time: 9 am
• Highlights: Shop for ingredients at Darajani Market, visit a spice farm and taste fresh spices and tropical fruits, learn about Zanzibari food traditions, cook classic local dishes with a local cook, sit down and enjoy the meal you’ve made
• Inclusions: Air-conditioned transportation, guide, cooking class, spice farm tour, local market tour, lunch, all cooking ingredients
• Rating: 4.4 stars (check 80+ reviews here)
• Free cancellation: No
• Price: Check price here!

One of my favorite parts of traveling to Zanzibar is definitely the food! The cuisine here is a delicious blend of African, Indian, and Arabic influences, with lots of fresh seafood involved. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that it’s one of the best food destinations I’ve ever been to – and definitely one of the most underrated! 

Cooking classes are always one of the best ways to understand a place properly, and what I love about this Stone Town cooking class is that it doesn’t just drop you into a kitchen. You actually start at a local market to shop for ingredients, and then you head to a spice farm to sample fresh cloves, vanilla, and tropical fruits before you start cooking. It really brings those flavors to life! 

But of course, the cooking itself is the highlight! Zanzibari dishes are full of flavour but still feel quite approachable to make. During this class, you’ll prepare classic dishes like pilau rice, coconut curries, chapati, or even Zanzibar pizza, which is actually more akin to a stuffed crepe than a traditional pizza. 

Best of all, you also get to prepare dessert, usually either coconut banana or sweet dumplings. Both are so good, and they really don’t get enough credit when people talk about Zanzibari cuisine!

This class is a great way to balance out all the beach time and get a proper insight into local life. Plus, you’ll leave with skills you can actually use again, which is always a win.

Book this cooking class here and enjoy free cancellation!

9. Explore local markets

The markets in Zanzibar are such a good way to get a feel for everyday life on the island. They’re busy and a little chaotic – a bit like a whirlwind of color and smells! But while I did find the markets a bit overwhelming at first, I really appreciated seeing an authentic slice of local life outside of the beach resorts. 

Darajani Market is the main local market in Stone Town, and it’s exactly what you’d expect – but I mean that in a good way! Here, I saw everything from fresh seafood and spices to fruit and everyday essentials. I won’t lie, the meat and fish sections are a bit intense in terms of the smell, but overall, it’s still an interesting place to wander and see how the locals shop.

There’s also Forodhani Gardens in Stone Town, which is completely different. Every evening, it turns into a street food market right by the ocean, with food stalls serving things like Zanzibar pizza, grilled seafood, samosas, and fresh sugarcane juice. It’s definitely more geared towards visitors, but it still feels local and lively. My advice would be to go hungry and try a bit of everything!

10. Enjoy a sunset dinner cruise on a traditional Dhow boat

• Duration: 3-4 hours
• Time: 4:30 pm 
• Highlights: Sail along Zanzibar’s north coast on a traditional dhow, enjoy a private sunset cruise, take in views of Nungwi and Kendwa, relax on deck with drinks, enjoy a freshly prepared seafood BBQ dinner on board
• Inclusions: Private dhow cruise, seafood BBQ dinner, snacks and fresh fruit, drinks (water, soft drinks, wine or beer), hotel pickup and drop-off (Nungwi/Kendwa), all fees and taxes
• Rating: 5.0 stars (check reviews here)
• Free cancellation: Yes
• Price: Check price here!

Watching the sunset in Zanzibar is already a pretty special experience, but experiencing it from a traditional dhow takes it to another level. This private sunset dinner sail along the north coast is an epic experience from start to finish, with delicious food and gorgeous views all the way! 

You’ll set off from Kendwa Beach in the late afternoon, cruising past the coastline towards Nungwi Beach as the light turns that perfect golden color. There’s beer and wine included with the cruise, as well as fresh coconuts, so you can just chill out with a drink in hand and just soak in those beautiful vistas. 

A fresh seafood BBQ is prepared right on board while you relax, and it’s easily some of the best food you’ll have on the island. Options include lobster and calamari, as well as Zanzibari specialties like samosas and fresh local food – yum! 

Oh, and did I mention that this is a private experience? Yup, you’ll have the dhow all to yourself, so you’ll have plenty of room to stretch out – no cramming in like sardines! Plus, you can also jump into the water for a sunset swim, which makes the whole experience even more magical. This is definitely one of the most memorable ways to spend an evening in Zanzibar and make the most of island life while you’re here.

Book this sunset dinner sail here, with free cancellation!

11. Go on a Selous Game Reserve safari day trip

• Duration: 10–12 hours
• Time: 6 am 
• Highlights: Fly from Zanzibar to Nyerere National Park (Selous), enjoy a full-day game drive in one of Africa’s largest wildlife reserves, spot animals like lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and hippos, experience a luxury safari in a single day, have a professional photographer capture your experience throughout
• Inclusions: Return domestic flights, park fees, safari game drives, professional guide, onboard photographer, breakfast, bush lunch, snacks, soft drinks, bottled water, hotel pickup and drop-off
• Rating: 5.0 stars (check reviews here)
• Free cancellation: Yes
• Price: Check price here!

Tanzania is one of the best countries in the world to go on safari, but the only catch is that you can’t do one in Zanzibar! Fortunately, this organized tour allows you to do a safari on the mainland and get back to Zanzibar in just one day, so that you don’t have to miss out on the magic.

The day starts early with a scenic flight from Zanzibar to Nyerere National Park, which is one of the largest and most untouched wildlife reserves in Africa. Even the flight feels like part of the adventure!

Once you arrive, it’s straight into a game drive. Before you can say “The Lion King,” you’ll be out in the open savannah, spotting elephants, giraffes, zebras, and even lions and wild dogs if you’re lucky! 

The park feels less crowded than others in Tanzania, too, which makes the whole experience feel more authentic and immersive. I’d call it a hidden gem, but at 30,893 km2 (11,928 sq mi), it’s anything but small! In fact, Nyerere National Park is one of the largest protected wildlife areas in Africa, which is exactly why it feels so wild and untouched.

One of the standout details of this tour is that a professional photographer joins you for the day to ensure you get those perfect shots! By the time you fly back to Zanzibar in the evening, you’ll feel as though you’ve lived a whole different trip in just one day. I think it’s safe to say that this is an experience you’ll be talking about for years to come! 

This tour is super popular and sells out well in advance, so I recommend booking ASAP!

12. Have a memorable dinner at The Rock Restaurant 

The Rock Restaurant is probably the most famous restaurant in Zanzibar, and for good reason! As the name suggests, it’s quite literally perched on a rock in the ocean, just off the coast. Depending on the tide, you’ll either walk across the sand to get there or hop on a little boat. Either way, it’s a very novel start to your dining experience! 

Of course, we had to go during our trip! We weren’t sure what to expect, as sometimes these famous tourist restaurants are a bit disappointing in terms of food and service, but that is not the case at all with The Rock, I can assure you. 

The menu is centered around fresh seafood, which makes sense given that the restaurant is actually in the ocean, but we weren’t expecting it to be so beautifully presented! It was definitely a more upscale experience than we had previously thought. This is not just somewhere you go for the photo, although the setting is absolutely unreal.

What also really stood out to us was how friendly everyone was. The staff and managers were genuinely lovely and made us feel so welcome.

If you’re planning to go to The Rock (and you should!), It’s definitely worth booking ahead, especially if you want a good time slot around sunset. It’s super popular, but with good reason. You can make reservations via their website, so you can even do this before you arrive in Zanzibar!

Where to Stay in Zanzibar

Now there are a lot of excellent areas to stay in Zanzibar, but we personally loved Nungwi. Stone Town is fun for a few days, but to really settle into Zanzibar’s incredible scenery and culture, heading north to Nungwi is your best bet. Here are three fantastic hotel choices for a range of budgets!

Luxury – $$$

Royal Zanzibar Beach Resort is a beautiful beachfront property located between Nungwi and Kendwa, with direct access to one of the best stretches of sand on the island. The setting offers total vacation vibes, with palm trees and big swimming pools, as well as unobstructed views across the turquoise ocean – bliss! 

The rooms are comfortable and generously sized, and the all-inclusive setup means you don’t have to worry about budgeting for meals and activities. We think that there’s a good mix of relaxation and things to do here, from lounging by the pool to water sports and evening entertainment, which makes it a great option for both couples and families.

Rooms here typically start from around $450 USD per night. Check availability and book your stay here!

Mid-range – $$

My Blue Hotel Zanzibar is a well-located resort right on Nungwi Beach, making it a great base if you want to be close to everything. You can step straight onto the sand, and there are plenty of restaurants, bars, and tour operators within easy walking distance.

The hotel has a laid-back feel, with a pool overlooking the ocean and a mix of standard rooms and bungalows set among tropical gardens. It’s not overly fancy, but it offers solid value for money in a prime beachfront location, which is hard to beat in this part of Zanzibar.

Rooms typically start from around $225 USD per night. Find the best prices and book your stay here!

Budget – $

Mnarani Beach Cottages is a budget-friendly stay located on the northern tip of Zanzibar, just outside the main Nungwi Beach area. The setting is quieter and more low-key, which makes it a good choice if you want to avoid the busier parts of town.

The cottages are simple but comfortable, set within a garden right next to the beach, and there’s a pool and small restaurant on-site. It’s perfect if you want somewhere to kick back and relax in a hammock for most of the day, while still staying within easy reach of Nungwi’s attractions. 

Prices here usually start from around $100 USD per night. Read the reviews and book your stay here!

Thanks for reading!

If you love stunning beaches, great outdoor adventures, and a charming local culture, you’ll never want to leave Zanzibar! This island is the perfect balance of relaxation and excursions, making for the perfect getaway. These are just a few of the many things to do here, so dive in and explore it for yourself; you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what you find!

Before you go, check out the rest of our Africa travel blogs. As long-term travelers, we love helping others plan a memorable trip. Here are a few related blogs to inspire your next destination – cheers!

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