Snorkel Mnemba Island from Zanzibar: Dolphins, reef & lunch

Relax on a sandbank and sip soft drinks amid Matemwe’s marine calm

A private half-day boat trip from Zanzibar to Mnemba Island in Menai Bay, where you board a private boat to search for dolphins, snorkel the coral reef with a guide, relax on a sandbank, and return to your hotel with lunch and all gear included. Hotel pickup starts the day at 8am, and the guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian or French.

Step-by-step itinerary

Mnemba Island tour with snorkeling and lunch

• Pick up from hotel after breakfast
• Transfer to Mnemba Island
• Life jacket demonstration and briefing
• Board boat to search for dolphins
• Snorkel with guide at selected location
• Relax and swim at Sandbank
• Enjoy soft drinks and tropical fruits
• Return to seashore for seafood lunch
• Transfer back to hotel

The experience

The boat leaves your hotel at 8am after breakfast and heads northeast toward Matemwe Village, where Menai Bay opens into a conservation area. Once you reach Mnemba Island, you get a life jacket demonstration and a briefing on the day ahead, then board the private boat to search for dolphins: the operator notes an 85% sighting chance. A snorkeling guide joins you in the water to point out the reef and help anyone new to the activity, so you are not navigating the coral alone.

After snorkeling, the boat moves to a sandbank where you can swim and rest in the shallows. Soft drinks are available throughout the day. The return to shore includes a seafood lunch before the driver transfers you back to your hotel. The whole trip runs five to six hours, and all snorkeling equipment, the air-conditioned vehicle, fees and taxes are built into the price.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup at 8am in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• private boat to Mnemba Island.
• life jacket and snorkeling equipment.
• snorkeling guide in the water.
• dolphin search in Menai Bay.
• sandbank time with soft drinks.
• seafood lunch at the seashore.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (7 and older) · Child (3 to 6 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Phenomenon Tours and Safari

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want hands-on snorkeling with a guide in the water (beginners gain confidence while experienced snorkelers explore freely) plus hotel pickup means no meeting point or schedule coordination.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 6 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What are the chances of seeing dolphins on this trip?

The operator states an 85% chance of spotting dolphins during the boat search in Menai Bay.

Do I need snorkeling experience to join this tour?

No. A snorkeling guide accompanies you in the water and assists beginners, pointing out the reef and helping you feel comfortable in the coral.

What's included in the lunch?

Lunch consists of seafood plates served back at the seashore before your return to the hotel.

What time does the pickup happen?

The private vehicle picks you up from your hotel at 8am, after you have had breakfast.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. All snorkeling gear is included, along with a life jacket and the guide's assistance in the water.