5-day Zanzibar snorkeling and beach holiday with Jozani Forest

Five days to swim with dolphins, walk mangrove boardwalks and sail traditional dhows

A 5-day Zanzibar beach holiday combines guided snorkeling in Menai Bay's coral reefs with cultural tours of Stone Town and spice plantations, plus a hike through Jozani Forest to spot red colobus monkeys. Flights, airport transfer, accommodation at a beach resort and all tour transport are included. A live guide speaks English, Spanish, French or German. Each day mixes water activities with island exploration, leaving mornings and evenings free to rest at the resort.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Explore Jozani Forest

• Visit Jozani forest reserve
• Walk mangrove swamp boardwalk
• See Red Colobus Monkeys and wildlife

Day 2: North Coast and Dolphin Tour

• Take early morning dolphin tour
• Visit turtle aquarium and swim
• Relax on sandy beaches
• Enjoy traditional dhow sunset cruise

Day 3: Discover Stone Town

• Tour main city market
• Explore Stone Town architecture
• Visit Sultan Palace Museum and House of Wonder
• See Old Fort and art gallery
• Visit Anglican Cathedral of Christ

Day 4: Safari Blue Boat Excursion

• Depart from Fumba fishing village
• Visit sandbank, Kwale island, coral reef
• Snorkel with guides
• Enjoy seafood lunch and fruit tasting
• Sail in traditional ngalawa canoe

Day 5: Spice Farm Tour

• Drive through countryside vegetation
• Walk spice plantations
• Smell and taste spices and fruits
• Visit spice stall for fresh spices

The experience

The itinerary opens at Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park, where a boardwalk cuts through mangrove swamp to reach the forest interior. Red colobus monkeys, bushbabies, 50 butterfly species and 40 bird species move through the canopy above. The walk itself is the draw, not a rushed checkpoint. From there the days split between boat excursions and land-based exploration, each one arranged from your beach resort so you control the pace.

Safari Blue is the snorkeling centerpiece: a full-day boat trip departing from Fumba fishing village in the southwest, heading out to sandbanks, Kwale Island and the coral reefs of Menai Bay. The operator provides snorkeling gear and guides. Lunch is grilled fish and lobster, with fruit tasting and coffee included. You also get the chance to sail in a ngalawa, a traditional outriggered canoe. The North Coast tour runs a separate day and includes a dolphin-spotting boat ride (two hours by local engine boat), a turtle aquarium in shallow water where you can swim, and a sunset dhow cruise. Stone Town, the UNESCO-listed old quarter on Zanzibar's western coast, gets its own morning or afternoon: the 1904 market, Arab mansions with carved brass-studded doors, the Sultan Palace Museum, the House of Wonder from 1886, the Old Fort and the Anglican Cathedral built on the site of a former slave market. The spice farm tour is a half-day walk through plantations of cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, black pepper, turmeric, vanilla and nutmeg. You smell and taste the spices and tropical fruits, then visit a stall selling fresh-packed stock.

Flights to Zanzibar, airport pickup and five nights at a beach resort are arranged as part of the package. Soft drinks, water and lunch on the boat days are included. Other meals and any extra activities beyond the five main excursions stay separate so you can add or skip them. A guide in your chosen language (English, Spanish, French or German) leads the tours. The boat operators and hotel staff can arrange additional snorkeling, fishing or boat trips if you want to fill free time.

What’s included

• Flights to Zanzibar, airport transfer and five nights at a beach resort.
• entry fees to Jozani Forest, Stone Town and the spice plantation.
• boat transport for Safari Blue and the North Coast tour.
• snorkeling gear and guides for Menai Bay.
• lunch on the boat days with grilled fish, lobster and fruit.
• soft drinks, water and coffee.
• a live guide in English, Spanish, French or German.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to1d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and German

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French and German

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportInfant seats available

Operated by Amahoro Travel and Tours- Tanzania

Is this one for you?Five days leaves time to rest at the beach between excursions and to add optional activities like fishing or extra boat trips if you want them, but is short enough to fit after a safari or Kilimanjaro climb without extending your total trip length.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and German.

What is Jozani Forest and what will I see there?

Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park is the only remaining forest on Unguja Island and a refuge for its wildlife. Walking the mangrove boardwalk, you spot red colobus monkeys, bushbabies, 50 butterfly species and 40 bird species moving through the canopy and understory.

Does Safari Blue include snorkeling gear and instruction?

Safari Blue provides top-quality snorkeling equipment and guides who instruct you on use. The full-day trip to Menai Bay's coral reefs also includes lunch, soft drinks, water and fruit tasting.

Can I swim with dolphins on the North Coast tour?

The North Coast dolphin tour runs a two-hour boat ride early in the morning when dolphins are most active. If conditions are right, you may swim close to them, though sightings are not guaranteed.

What does the Stone Town tour cover?

Stone Town is Zanzibar's old quarter and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The tour walks the main market (opened 1904), Arab mansions with carved doors and balconies, the Sultan Palace Museum, the House of Wonder from 1886, the Old Fort and the Anglican Cathedral built in 1873 on the site of a former slave market.

Is the spice farm tour included, or do I book it separately?

The spice farm tour is part of the 5-day itinerary and included in the package. It is a half-day walk through plantations of cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, black pepper, turmeric, vanilla and nutmeg, with tasting and a visit to a spice stall.