Snorkeling in Fumba: Dhow Sailing with Sandbank Picnic

Six hours on the water: snorkel a living reef, then eat what swims there

Snorkeling in Fumba combines a reef dive at Kwale, a sandbank break with tropical fruit, and a seafood lunch on Kwale Island, all reached by traditional wooden dhow from the fishing village. The trip includes snorkel gear, an air-conditioned vehicle from Stone Town, a guided jungle walk to a 500-year-old Baobab tree, and a swim in the mangrove lagoon before the sail back. Six to eight hours total. English-speaking guide included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Dhow sailing and sandbank picnic

• Drive to Fumba Fishing Village
• Depart from Fumba on wooden dhow
• Snorkel at Kwale coral reef
• Relax on sandbank with snacks
• Beach barbecue seafood buffet at Kwale Island
• Jungle walk and climb Baobab tree
• Swim in Mangrove Lagoon
• Sail back to Fumba Village

The experience

The boat leaves Fumba fishing village (35 minutes southwest of Stone Town by road) in a traditional wooden dhow. The first stop is Kwale coral reef, where you enter the water with snorkel gear to move through an abundance of corals and colorful fish. The reef sits in a natural tropical bay with a lot to discover if you stay down long enough to watch the movement.

After the reef, the dhow anchors at a sandbank where you can rest on the sand, eat snacks and tropical fruits, and let the sun dry you out. The next leg takes you to Kwale Island, where a seafood buffet lunch waits: octopus, lobster, grilled fish, calamari, soft drinks and tropical fruit. On the island itself, a short jungle walk leads to a Baobab tree that is 500 years old and climbable. Before heading back to Fumba, you swim in the mangrove lagoon: a different kind of water, shallow and enclosed, where the trees grow right into the sea.

The trip includes snorkel equipment, bottled water, landing fees, and transport by air-conditioned vehicle from Stone Town. You can book pickup from Stone Town or from any beach hotel on the island.

What’s included

• Snorkel equipment.
• bottled water and snacks.
• tropical fruit.
• a full seafood lunch with soft drinks.
• landing and facility fees.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport from Stone Town or your hotel.
• English-speaking guide for the full day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to12h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go 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.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Zanzibar Local Experience

Is this one for you?Book from Stone Town if you are staying in the city center or want a single pickup point. Choose hotel pickup if you are based at a beach resort and prefer to start from your accommodation. Either way, the fixed dhow schedule means the reef snorkel, sandbank rest and island lunch all fit inside one departure, so you do not need to coordinate multiple bookings.

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Top questions

What is the snorkeling like at Kwale coral reef?

Kwale coral reef holds an abundance of corals and colorful fish in shallow tropical waters, so you see the reef structure and the movement of fish around it without needing deep diving skills.

How long does the snorkeling part take?

The reef is the first stop after leaving Fumba, and the full trip runs six to eight hours from start to finish, with snorkeling, the sandbank rest, lunch and the island activities all included in that time.

What is included in the seafood lunch?

The lunch on Kwale Island is a buffet of octopus, lobster, grilled fish, calamari, soft drinks and tropical fruit: a full meal, not a snack.

Do I need to bring my own snorkel gear?

Snorkel equipment is included. You do not need to bring your own or rent it separately.

Where does the trip start and how do I get there?

The trip departs from Fumba fishing village, 35 minutes southwest of Stone Town by car. You can book pickup from Stone Town or from any beach hotel on the island, and the vehicle is air-conditioned.

What happens on Kwale Island besides lunch?

On Kwale Island you walk a short jungle trail to a Baobab tree that is 500 years old and can be climbed, then swim in the mangrove lagoon before sailing back to Fumba.