Tours in Zanzibar range from a half-day spice farm visit to a fly-in safari on the mainland, and most of them start with a boat. This page sorts the island's day trips by type, explains what each one involves and shows how to tell a well-run excursion from a risky one.
Mnemba & dolphin trips Snorkelling on the Mnemba atoll and dolphin trips: the island rules, the conservation fee, the best time and how to pick an ethical operator. 
Safari Blue The full-day dhow trip around Menai Bay: sandbank, snorkelling, a Kwale Island lunch and the mangrove lagoon, plus how to spot a copy. 
Safari from Zanzibar Fly-in day safaris to Mikumi and Nyerere, 2-3 day trips and Serengeti combos: what each option really shows you and how to compare. 
Spice tours Cloves, nutmeg, vanilla and tropical fruit on a farm near Stone Town: what a Zanzibar spice tour involves and how to buy spices. A way to see mainland wildlife without an overnight stay. The day runs about eight hours, with flights and a lunch included, so it suits travellers short on time.
from €389 per person
Check availabilityvia GetYourGuide
Suits couples, families and solo travellers who want coral reef snorkelling off Mnemba with local guides. The dolphin cruise takes place in the morning, so plan an early start.
from €41.25 per person
Check availabilityvia Viator
An active outing for guests staying around Kendwa or Nungwi who want to get off the beach for a few hours. A transfer is included, and the activity takes about four hours.
from €72 per person
Check availabilityvia GetYourGuide
A full day in the Menai Bay Conservation Area for swimmers and snorkellers who like turquoise water, reefs and sandbanks. Departs from Fumba port and ends with a seafood barbecue lunch.
from €62.56 per person
Check availabilityvia Viator
A one-day wildlife excursion to the mainland for visitors who cannot spare a night away from the island. It lasts around eight hours and a lunch is part of the day.
from €389 per person
Check availabilityvia GetYourGuide
A day trip to the Tanzanian mainland to watch wildlife in Mikumi National Park. Suits wildlife enthusiasts and families wanting a taste of safari without an overnight stay.
from €426.12 per person
Check availabilityvia Viator
Suits curious travellers who want to see how farmers grow and harvest spices, then learn how they are used in everyday cooking. The guide shows each spice using fresh examples; lunch can be added.
from €15.41 per person
Check availabilityvia Viator
Combines old-town sights such as the House of Wonders and the slave market with the tortoise sanctuary and a spice farm. Suits first-time visitors wanting history, wildlife and local flavours.
from €31.82 per person
Check availabilityvia Viator
Prices are indicative and may change. The final price is shown by the booking platform. Prices checked: October 24, 2026. We may earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Most day tours in Zanzibar happen on the water. In the north-east, boats leave Matemwe, Nungwi and Kendwa for the reef of the Mnemba atoll, the island's best-known snorkelling spot, often with a dolphin-watching stop on the way: see Mnemba and dolphin trips. In the south-west, the full-day Safari Blue sails a traditional dhow around Menai Bay, with a sandbank, snorkelling and a seafood lunch.
On land, a spice tour takes half a day from Stone Town and explains why Zanzibar is called the Spice Island. For lions and elephants, a safari from Zanzibar flies you to a national park on the mainland and back in a day, or for one night or more. Guides to diving in Zanzibar and kitesurfing in the east coast lagoons are in preparation.
Some of the best excursions are tied to one place and explained in its own guide. A walking tour of Stone Town makes sense of the alleys, the markets and the site of the former slave market; Prison Island is a short boat ride from the seafront, with giant tortoises and often a sandbank stop; and Jozani Forest is where you see the endemic red colobus monkey. Each fits into half a day.
Zanzibar has hundreds of tour operators, from licensed companies to freelancers who hire a boat for the day. The tours we show come from the main booking platforms, and we favour those run by a licensed operator, with life jackets for everyone on board, small groups, free cancellation and a clear list of what the price includes. Inclusions matter: transfers, lunch and conservation or park fees are often left out of the headline price.
On every beach you will be offered boat trips by sellers known as papasi. Some work for genuine local captains, but there are no reviews, no written terms and often no way of knowing who runs the boat. If you buy on the beach, see the boat before paying, check for life jackets and a working engine, agree what is included and how long the trip lasts, and pay the balance at the end.
A booked tour usually costs a little more but gives you a named operator, a refund policy and someone to complain to. The UK government advises using reputable tour operators only; more safety advice is in our visa, insurance and safety guide.
For most visitors it is a boat trip: snorkelling at the Mnemba atoll in the north-east or the Safari Blue in Menai Bay. On land, a spice tour combined with Stone Town or Jozani Forest is the classic half day.
It can be, but there are no guarantees. Check the boat, the life jackets and what is included before paying; a tour with a named, licensed operator is the safer option.
Many do, but not all. Check the listing, because transfers from the north or east coast to Stone Town or Fumba take an hour or more each way and can add noticeably to the cost.
Yes. Day safaris fly to Mikumi or Nyerere National Park on the mainland and return in the evening, although the time on game drives is limited.
