The best things to do in Zanzibar cluster around the water: snorkeling at Mnemba Atoll, tortoise visits on Prison Island, sunset dhow cruises off Kendwa Beach, and walking tours through Stone Town’s spice markets and carved-door lanes. Boat Trips Club runs 17 boat tours across the island, from 2-hour sunset sails to 8-hour catamaran days at the Mnemba reef, in both shared and private formats.
Why Zanzibar Ranks High for Ocean Activities
Zanzibar sits off the Tanzanian coast in the Indian Ocean, ringed by shallow reefs and long white-sand beaches. The archipelago includes Unguja (the main island), Pemba, and smaller islets like Mnemba and Changuu. Warm water and steady trade winds keep things to do in Zanzibar heavily water-focused most of the year. You can snorkel over live coral before lunch. By midday, you can walk Stone Town’s UNESCO-listed lanes, then watch the sun drop from a wooden dhow by evening.
Boat Trips Club operates 17 boat tours across Zanzibar, split between the northern beaches (Kendwa, Nungwi) and Stone Town on the west coast. Both zones give you access to different reefs, islands, and cultural sites within a short drive.
Snorkel Mnemba Atoll for Reef Life and Dolphins
Mnemba Atoll is the top snorkeling site in Zanzibar and sits inside the Mnemba Island Marine Reserve. The atoll shelters hundreds of tropical fish species along with regular sightings of wild dolphins. Two Mnemba-focused tours run from the northern coast. To see how these waters compare to other local marine zones, you can read our comprehensive overview of Zanzibar snorkeling spots.
The Mnemba Island Full-Day Dhow Snorkeling Trip is a shared 7-hour outing on a traditional Swahili dhow. Inclusions cover an open bar, lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, and hotel transfer. If you want more privacy, the Mnemba Island Private Boat – Snorkel & Dolphin Adventure runs 7 hours as a private charter from Zanzibar Watersports, with capacity for up to 15 guests.
For a shared catamaran day, Zanzibar’s Only All-Inclusive Shared Catamaran Tour to Mnemba Atoll runs 8 hours from Kendwa Beach. That trip includes an open bar, lunch, drinks, snorkeling, and hotel transfer.
Exploring the vibrant reefs of the marine reserve remains one of the most highly sought-after things to do in Zanzibar for families and couples alike.
If you are planning an unforgettable day on the water, you can view the complete itineraries and fleet options directly on the Mnemba Island Private Boat – Snorkel & Dolphin Adventure reservation hub.
Visit Prison Island and Its Giant Aldabra Tortoises
Prison Island (also called Changuu Island) sits a short 20-to-30-minute boat ride from Stone Town and houses a sanctuary of giant Aldabra tortoises. Some of the animals are over a century old, and you can walk among them on a guided visit. The island also holds 19th-century quarantine ruins and a small swim beach.
Two versions of this trip run daily. The Prison Island & Giant Tortoises Half-Day Shared Boat Trip is a 3-hour shared outing. Inclusions cover snacks, drinks, snorkeling gear, entry fees, and hotel transfer. A private version — the Private Prison Island & Giant Tortoises Half-Day Boat Trip — also runs 3 hours from Stone Town for up to 10 guests, with the same inclusion set.
For travelers looking to cross this off their bucket list, exploring this historic sanctuary is widely considered one of the top cultural things to do in Zanzibar.
Sail to Nakupenda Sandbank for a Day on the Water
Nakupenda Sandbank is a strip of white sand that appears at low tide off the west coast of Zanzibar. Reaching it requires a boat, and the surrounding shallow water is well-suited to swimming and snorkeling.
Two shared and two private options serve this stop. The Nakupenda Sandbank Shared Boat Trip with Lunch is a 6-hour shared outing with a seafood buffet lunch, snacks, drinks, and snorkeling. The Prison Island & Nakupenda Sandbank Full-Day Shared Boat Trip with Lunch combines both landmarks in one 7-hour shared day, departing from Stone Town before heading to the sandbank.
Private groups can charter the Private Nakupenda Sandbank Full-Day Boat Trip & Swahili Lunch from Stone Town for up to 10 guests. The Private Prison Island & Nakupenda Sandbank Full-Day Boat Trip with Lunch runs 7 hours as a private day that covers both stops.
Book a Sunset Dhow Cruise off Kendwa Beach
A sunset dhow cruise is one of the most-booked things to do in Zanzibar and takes 2 hours off Kendwa Beach. A dhow is a traditional wooden Swahili sailboat. Watching the sun drop from its deck is a set-piece of a north-coast trip.
Two dhow sunset options run. The Zanzibar Sunset Dhow Cruise – Shared with Open Bar is a 2-hour shared cruise from Kendwa Beach, seating up to 20 guests. Inclusions cover an open bar, snacks, drinks, and a live acoustic band performance. The Kendwa Beach Private Sunset Dhow Cruise – Open Bar & Snacks is a 2-hour private charter for up to 12 guests, featuring an open bar, fresh fruit snacks, and chilled soft drinks.
To experience this classic coastal tradition yourself, you can read through the specific inclusions and timing details on the Kendwa Beach Private Sunset Dhow Cruise – Open Bar & Snacks scheduling page.
Charter a Private Catamaran From Kendwa Beach
Private catamaran charters give you the most flexibility for a group day on the water. Three catamaran options depart Kendwa Beach, each a 4-hour private cruise for up to 12 guests.
- Kendwa Private Luxury Catamaran Joy – Zanzibar Boat Tour: open bar, fruit snacks, drinks, snorkeling gear, and hotel transfer.
- Private Catamaran Cruise Kendwa – Tsitsikamma 45ft: a 45-foot boat with an open bar, light snacks, and a spacious trampoline netting lounge area.
- Private Catamaran Cruise Kendwa – Pelagic One 35ft: a 35-foot Polynesian-style catamaran hull designed for stable cruising and reef snorkeling access.
Catamarans are the pick for stable decks, shaded lounging, and easy snorkel access. Group sea charters remain highly popular among luxury things to do in Zanzibar.
Try Deep-Sea Fishing off the Zanzibar Coast
Deep-sea fishing off Zanzibar targets marlin, sailfish, yellowfin tuna, and dorado in the Pemba Channel. Season varies by species, but the channel produces fish across most of the year.
Two charters run. The Zanzibar Deep-Sea Fishing Charter – Private Big Game Boat is a 5-hour or 8-hour private outing for up to 6 anglers, featuring professional trolling gear and an experienced skipper. Inclusions cover a full selection of baits, lures, snacks, drinks, and a captain-and-crew team. The Zanzibar Deep-Sea Fishing – Traditional Sport-Fishing Charter also runs for up to 6 guests, with the same inclusion set on a more traditional rig.
Anglers seeking a serious offshore challenge can learn about the seasonal migrations and boat configurations directly via the Zanzibar Deep-Sea Fishing Charter – Private Big Game Boat logistics page.
Explore Stone Town on Foot
Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the cultural heart of Zanzibar. Winding lanes, carved wooden doors, spice markets, and Swahili-Arab architecture reward a slow walking pace over a half-day. Landmarks include the Old Fort, the House of Wonders, the former slave market, the Anglican Cathedral, and Livingstone House.
You can learn more about the historical significance of this Swahili trading town by visiting the official UNESCO World Heritage Centre listing. Combining a morning architectural walk with an afternoon marine excursion is widely ranked among the most balanced things to do in Zanzibar.
Compare Zanzibar Boat Tours at a Glance
The table below shows Boat Trips Club’s shared and private options by tour type, duration, and departure point.
| Tour Type | Duration | Departure Point | Format |
| Mnemba Atoll dhow snorkeling | 7 hours | Northern coast | Shared |
| Mnemba private snorkel & dolphin | 7 hours | Nungwi Beach / Kendwa | Private |
| Mnemba shared catamaran | 8 hours | Kendwa Beach | Shared |
| Prison Island & tortoises | 3 hours | Stone Town | Shared or private |
| Nakupenda Sandbank | 6 hours | Stone Town | Shared |
| Prison Island + Nakupenda combo | 7 hours | Stone Town | Shared or private |
| Sunset dhow cruise | 2 hours | Kendwa Beach | Shared or private |
| Private catamaran (35ft / 45ft) | 4 hours | Kendwa Beach | Private |
| Deep-sea fishing charter | 5 or 8 hours | Nungwi | Private |
| Tumbatu Island dhow snorkeling | 4.5 hours | Nungwi | Shared |
Beach Neighborhoods to Base Yourself
Where you sleep on Zanzibar shapes what things to do in Zanzibar are on your doorstep. Three main areas cover most trips.
- Kendwa and Nungwi (northwest coast): the best base for sunset dhows, private catamarans, and Mnemba Atoll snorkeling. Kendwa Beach is one of the few sandy stretches on the island with minimal tidal retreat, making it perfect for swimming all day.
- Stone Town (west coast): the base for cultural walks, Prison Island trips, and Nakupenda Sandbank departures.
- Paje (southeast coast): the kitesurfing hub of Zanzibar, quieter than the north and better for wind sports than for boat departures.
Most travelers split their stay between two of these zones. Two nights in Stone Town covers cultural sites and Prison Island. Three or four nights in Kendwa or Nungwi covers reef days and sunset sails.
Also Worth a Half-Day: Tumbatu Island Snorkeling
The Zanzibar Dhow Snorkeling Trip to Tumbatu Island runs 4.5 hours as a shared outing from the northwest coast. Tumbatu sits off the northwest coast and draws fewer boats than Mnemba, so the reef feels less crowded on a busy morning. Inclusions cover fresh fruit, snacks, drinks, snorkeling gear, and hotel transfer.
Making the Most of Your Zanzibar Trip
A strong Zanzibar itinerary layers water and land: a snorkeling day at Mnemba, a sandbank picnic at Nakupenda, a sunset dhow off Kendwa, and a half-day walk through Stone Town. Boat Trips Club runs 17 boat tours that cover every one of those ideas, in both shared and private formats. Pick your beach, pick your group size, and stack two or three tours across a week for a full picture of unforgettable things to do in Zanzibar.
Final Thoughts on Your Zanzibar Adventure
Planning an island getaway comes down to balancing cultural discovery with pristine time on the water. By combining the historical depth of Stone Town with the remarkable marine life found throughout the northern reefs, you get a complete view of the archipelago’s diverse environment. Navigating between these coastal points is straightforward when your activities are arranged around local tidal patterns and seasonal winds. Selecting the right base camp for your interests ensures less transit time and more time spent experiencing the natural highlights, coastal traditions, and marine sanctuaries that make this Indian Ocean destination so unique.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best thing to do in Zanzibar?
Snorkeling at Mnemba Atoll is the most consistently rated water activity on the island. It is often paired with a sunset dhow cruise off Kendwa Beach and a half-day boat trip to Prison Island for the giant Aldabra tortoises.
How many days do you need in Zanzibar?
Five to seven days covers the main things to do in Zanzibar. Plan two nights near Stone Town for culture and Prison Island, then three or four nights on the northwest coast (Kendwa or Nungwi) for reef days and sunsets.
Is Zanzibar good for non-swimmers?
Yes. Sunset dhow cruises, Stone Town walking, and Prison Island’s tortoise sanctuary all work without swimming. Boat trips include life jackets, and shaded catamaran decks give non-swimmers a comfortable perch.
When is the best time to visit Zanzibar?
The dry months from June to October and December to February are best for boat trips and snorkeling. Long rains hit April and May, and short rains fall in November — both windows can still deliver sun, but sea conditions vary more.
Do Zanzibar boat tours include hotel transfer?
Most Boat Trips Club tours in Zanzibar include hotel transfer, but exceptions exist — deep-sea fishing charters and certain specialized private departures do not automatically include them. Check the “inclusions” list on the individual tour page to confirm before booking.