Zanzibar · SpringMonth summary
Zanzibar weather in May
✅ Good
🌡️ Temperature min / max
24°C – 28°C
🌧 Rainy days
67% of days
☀️ Sunshine
10.9h per day on average
🌊 🌊 Season
Spring
⭐ ⭐ Weather score
7.4/10
📅 📅 Best month
July (8.0/10)
Quick decision
Should you visit Zanzibar in May?
✅ Good
✅ Yes if: you're willing to accept showers in exchange for lower prices and fewer tourists.
❌ No if: you're planning 100% outdoor activities — rain is frequent.
Our take: May is a good time to visit Zanzibar. July remains slightly better (+0.6 pts).
By trip type
Zanzibar in May by trip type
- 🏙️ 🏙️ City break / culture : ✅ Good
- 🚶 🚶 Outdoor activities : ⚠️ Possible
- 🏖️ Beach / swimming : ⚠️ Possible
- 💰 💰 Budget : ✅ Low season
Local context
What to expect in May
🎯 Water at 25°C and lively beaches — May is peak swimming season in Zanzibar Spring marks the start of the good season in Zanzibar. Temperatures rise (28°C) and tourists have not yet arrived en masse. With 67% of rainy days, always have indoor alternatives planned. Not the best window, but acceptable if dates are constrained. July (8.0/10) is significantly better if possible.
Browse by month
All months for Zanzibar
Annual table
Month-by-month comparison
| Month | Min °C | Max °C | Rain % | Precip mm | Sun h/d | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌤️ January | 26°C | 32°C | 42% | 2.1 | 11.3h | 7.4/10 |
| 🌤️ February | 26°C | 32°C | 41% | 1.4 | 11.3h | 7.5/10 |
| 🌤️ March | 26°C | 32°C | 59% | 3.4 | 11.0h | 7.1/10 |
| 🌦️ April | 25°C | 29°C | 92% | 12.3 | 10.3h | 7.0/10 |
| ⛅ May | 24°C | 28°C | 67% | 6.0 | 10.9h | 7.4/10 |
| 🌤️ June | 23°C | 28°C | 55% | 2.1 | 10.9h | 7.8/10 |
| 🌤️ July | 23°C | 28°C | 51% | 1.4 | 11.0h | 8.0/10 |
| 🌤️ August | 22°C | 28°C | 50% | 1.3 | 11.0h | 8.0/10 |
| 🌤️ September | 22°C | 30°C | 51% | 1.4 | 11.1h | 7.6/10 |
| 🌤️ October | 23°C | 30°C | 59% | 3.1 | 11.5h | 7.4/10 |
| ⛅ November | 24°C | 30°C | 75% | 4.3 | 11.7h | 7.1/10 |
| ⛅ December | 25°C | 31°C | 66% | 3.4 | 11.4h | 7.2/10 |
Ideal
Fair
Challenging climate
◀ Current month · Source Open-Meteo · 10 years
📊 Data source
Data based on 10 years of ERA5 records via Open-Meteo, with ECMWF seasonal adjustment. In May, Zanzibar averages 28°C, 67% rainy days and 10.9h of sunshine per day. Overall weather score: 7.4/10.
See methodology →
Comparison
May vs July (best month)
The best month is July (score 8.0/10). Difference:
- 🌡️ Max temperature : +0°C
- 🌧 Rainy days : -16%
- ☀️ Sunshine : +0.1h/day
FAQ
FAQ — Zanzibar in May
Is May a good time to visit Zanzibar?
May is an acceptable time for Zanzibar (score 7.4/10). Conditions are decent but not optimal — consider July (8.0/10) if possible.
Does it rain a lot in Zanzibar in May?
Yes, 67% of days see rain in May. Plan some indoor activities as backup.
Accommodation
Find a place to stay in Zanzibar
Find places to stay in Zanzibar in May
Search on Hotels.com
Activities & tours
Activities and tours in Zanzibar
Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and local experiences.
Browse activities on GetYourGuide
Flights
Find a flight to Zanzibar
Compare flights from all airlines.
Search flights
←
Explore also
Similar destinations in May
Jinja🌍 Top destinations
Other top destinations in May
Trinidad
Santiago
Socotra
Puerto Escondido
PantelleriaWeather rankings
Compare destinations by weather
Best in EuropeGuides & comparisons