The month in detail
What to expect in May
In May, Zanzibar sees 28°C during the day with 6.4h of sunshine per day. Expect rain on 33% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended. Not the best window, but acceptable if dates are constrained. July (8.6/10) is significantly better if possible.
May ranks 5 out of 12 months in Zanzibar. Compared to April: 29 pts fewer rainy days, +1.2h of sun per day.
This month's conditions
What it's like in May
UV index
7 · high
sunscreen and hat advised
Feels like
very humid
22°
Sea
28°C
warm, ideal
Daylight
11.7h of daylight
Air quality
excellent
AQI 18
Compare
Is May the right month?
The best month in Zanzibar is July (8.6/10), 3.0 pts higher than May.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Zanzibar
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Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
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Flights
Multi-airline comparator
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🎟️ Activities & tours · Zanzibar
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a tropical stay.
Country · Tanzania
🗣️LanguageSwahili
💶CurrencyShilling tanzanien (TSh)
🚗DrivingLeft-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘVery cheap · 1/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeEquatorial tropical
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthJanuary · 32°C
❄️Coolest monthMay · 28°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘApril · 62%
🏝️ Tropical stay
🌞Dry season ⓘMay → Sep
🌧️Wet season ⓘDec → Mar
🌀Cyclones ⓘNone (equator)
Explore
Other destinations in May
If May doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Zanzibar ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
TanzaniaEquatorial tropical climate with a 8.6 → 4.7 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
6.16°S · 39.20°E
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Zanzibar?
July is the best month with 28.0°C highs, 23.0°C lows, 7.1h of sunshine and 18.0% rainy days. The months of July & August offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Zanzibar get in July?
Zanzibar averages 7.1 sunshine hours per day in July. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 8.2/10.
What is the rainiest month in Zanzibar?
April is the most unfavourable month with April has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Zanzibar in July?
In July, overnight lows reach 23.0°C, while afternoon highs average 28.0°C.
Is Zanzibar good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Zanzibar scores 5.3/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains July with a score of 8.2/10.
When should you avoid Zanzibar?
April is the most difficult month to visit Zanzibar, with April has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Can you swim in Zanzibar in May?
In May, the sea averages 28°C in Zanzibar: warm, ideal. Ideal conditions for swimming and snorkeling.
Do you need sun protection in Zanzibar in May?
The average UV index reaches 7 in May in Zanzibar (high), with about 11.7h of daylight. Sunscreen and hat advised.