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Zanzibar weather in January

January is one of the best months for a beach holiday in Zanzibar: hot, mostly dry and sunny, with highs of about 31 °C in Stone Town, nights around 26 °C and the sea at about 29 °C. It is also the European winter high season, busiest in the first days of the month.

Averages for Stone Town (ERA5 reanalysis 2015–2024). The long rains fall in April and May, the short rains in November.
MonthDayNightSeaRain
January 31 °C26 °C29 °C60 mm
February 32 °C26 °C30 °C40 mm
March 31 °C26 °C30 °C110 mm
April 29 °C25 °C29 °C370 mm
May 28 °C25 °C28 °C205 mm
June 28 °C24 °C28 °C55 mm
July 27 °C23 °C27 °C45 mm
August 28 °C23 °C26 °C40 mm
September 28 °C23 °C27 °C45 mm
October 29 °C24 °C27 °C90 mm
November 30 °C24 °C28 °C125 mm
December 30 °C25 °C30 °C100 mm

Weather in Zanzibar in January

January opens the hot, dry spell that lasts into February. Stone Town averages highs of about 31 °C and lows of about 26 °C, and only about 60 mm of rain falls in the month, roughly half of November's total. These are averages from the ERA5 climate reanalysis for 2015–2024; sea temperatures come from 2022–2025 data.

Humidity is high and the midday sun is intense, so use a high-factor reef-safe sunscreen and a hat even on cloudy days. The odd shower still happens, but most days are sunny. The northerly kaskazi keeps blowing, lighter than the southerly winds of June to September. Compare the other months on the Zanzibar weather by month page.

What to do in Zanzibar in January

With a sea of about 29 °C and mostly dry days, January suits every coast: the north at Nungwi and Kendwa for swimming at any tide, the east-coast lagoons of Paje and Jambiani for kitesurfing in the kaskazi. Boat trips run daily, but One Ocean, one of the island's long-established dive centres, names December and January among its windiest months, so choose a morning departure for Mnemba snorkelling and dolphin trips.

January is also a good month to combine the beach with a safari. From about late January the wildebeest herds of the Serengeti calve on the southern plains around Ndutu, a trip that needs a few nights on the mainland rather than a day; see safari from Zanzibar. In Stone Town, explore in the morning or late afternoon, when the heat eases.

Revolution Day, the Mapinduzi Cup and the high season

On 12 January Zanzibar marks Revolution Day (Mapinduzi Day), a public holiday commemorating the 1964 revolution, with official ceremonies; in 2027 it falls on a Tuesday. The Mapinduzi Cup football tournament is played around the holiday: the 2025/26 edition ran from 28 December to the final on 13 January, and the dates of the next one had not been announced by October 2026. Banks and offices close on public holidays, including New Year's Day.

The first days of January are still part of the festive peak; see Christmas and New Year in Zanzibar. After that the island stays busy with European winter visitors, but the second half of the month is usually quieter and better value. Book flights and rooms early, and see Zanzibar in February and the best time to visit Zanzibar to compare.

Frequently asked questions

Is January a good time to visit Zanzibar?

Yes. It is hot and mostly dry, with highs of about 31 °C, a sea of about 29 °C and only about 60 mm of rain. It is high season, so book ahead.

Does it rain in Zanzibar in January?

Little: about 60 mm on average in Stone Town, usually in short showers, and most days are sunny.

Is January a good month for kitesurfing in Zanzibar?

Yes, the northerly kaskazi blows from about mid-December to February. It is lighter and less consistent than the kusi of June to September; Paje is the main spot.

Is 12 January a holiday in Zanzibar?

Yes, it is Revolution Day, a public holiday marking the 1964 revolution. Banks and government offices close.

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