Month guide · Zanzibar · Tanzania
Zanzibar in October
What October is really like in Zanzibar: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: This photo was taken by Anton Zelenov . Please credit this with : Photo : Anton Zelenov in, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
October is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 30°C (86°F), lows of 22°C (72°F), about 7 rainy days and roughly 12.3 hours of daylight. Warm and mostly dry, with fewer visitors before the short rains.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 30°C (86°F) / 22°C (72°F)
- Rainy days
- About 7
- Daylight
- About 12.3 hours
- Sea temperature
- 27°C (81°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in October
October is the 7th-warmest month in Zanzibar: days average 30°C (86°F) against a yearly average high of 30°C (86°F), and nights fall to about 22°C (72°F). Rain falls on roughly 7 of its 31 days. Compared with September (29°C (84°F)), October is about as warm; by November highs stay near 31°C (88°F).
- Sunrise (15 October)
- About 06:01
- Sunset (15 October)
- About 18:16
- Daylight
- About 12.3 hours
- Sea
- 27°C (81°F)
Long rains (March–May). Hot and humid March gives way to heavy rain in April and May, with rough seas, closed hotels and the lowest prices.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, October rates 3 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in July). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in October
October has no major recurring festival in Zanzibar, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in October
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Historic site · Stone Town
Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe)
Built by the Omanis around 1700 on the site of a Portuguese church, the fort's thick walls now enclose craft shops, a café and an open-air amphitheatre used for performances and festivals.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Shopping
Historic site · Stone Town
Former slave market and Christ Church
Take the guided visit to understand the site's history; allow time to reflect.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Market · Stone Town
Darajani Market
Stone Town's main market on Creek Road sells fish, meat, tropical fruit, vegetables and spices in a covered hall and surrounding streets, and is the terminus for many dala-dala minibuses.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- Photo spot
Aquarium · Nungwi
Mnarani turtle conservation pond
A short, easy visit with children while staying in Nungwi.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Nature
The sea averages 27°C (81°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Zanzibar.
What to pack
For highs near 30°C, lows near 22°C and 7 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is October a good time to visit Zanzibar?
A shoulder-season month. If your dates are flexible, January–February and June–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Zanzibar in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is October a good time to visit Zanzibar?
It is a shoulder-season month. Warm and mostly dry, with fewer visitors before the short rains.
+How warm is Zanzibar in October?
Average highs are around 30°C (86°F) and lows around 22°C (72°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Zanzibar in October?
Expect rain on about 7 days of the month.