Snorkeling in Kizimkazi: Dolphins, cave and sandbank

Dolphins, turtles and coral in one southern Zanzibar day

A full-day snorkeling activity in Kizimkazi, southern Zanzibar, combining four stops: Salaam Cave to see rescued sea turtles, a dolphin search by traditional boat, snorkeling at Pungume with mask and fins provided, and lunch on Pungume Sandbank. A local guide leads the group, pickup from hotels is included, and the activity suits families with children from age 3 and all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Southern Zanzibar full-day adventure

• Visit Salaam Cave and see sea turtles
• Search for dolphins in Kizimkazi waters
• Snorkel at Pungume Island
• Relax and swim at Pungume Sandbank
• Enjoy fresh local seafood lunch by ocean

The experience

Kizimkazi sits at the southern tip of Zanzibar, and this full-day activity strings together four distinct moments across the waters and islands there. You start at Salaam Cave, an underground cavern where rescued sea turtles live in a natural-looking setting. You walk through and observe them up close while learning about turtle conservation. From there, a traditional boat takes you out to search for dolphins in the open water. A local guide who knows the area helps you spot them while respecting their space. The boat also gives you time to swim and snorkel when conditions allow.

The core of the day is snorkeling at Pungume, where you wear a mask, snorkel and fins provided by the operator and explore the coral and tropical fish in the shallow turquoise water at your own pace. A guide accompanies you and can point out the best spots depending on the tide and weather. After snorkeling, you move to Pungume Sandbank (a stretch of white sand that appears in the middle of the ocean depending on the tide), where you relax, swim in the shallows and eat a fresh seafood lunch prepared locally. The whole day runs seven to eight hours, with hotel pickup and drop-off included.

Children from age 3 are welcome, and infants can sit on an adult's lap or use a specialized infant seat. The activity suits all fitness levels. No prior snorkeling experience is needed. Your guide speaks English, Italian, French or German depending on the booking.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel and fins).
• entrance fees for Salaam Cave and Pungume.
• a fresh seafood lunch on the sandbank.
• bottled water.
• a professional local guide.
• a private traditional boat.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (3 to 15 years) · Under 3: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availableInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Turhan Zanzibar and Safari

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to combine four different experiences (cave, dolphins, snorkeling and sandbank) in a single day with a small group and a local guide who knows the area. The full-day structure lets you move through each stop without rushing, and the guide's knowledge of tides and conditions means the snorkeling and sandbank time work around what the ocean offers on the day.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 15 years). Under 3: they can't be included in the booking.

What is Salaam Cave and what will I see there?

Salaam Cave is an underground cavern in southern Zanzibar where rescued sea turtles live in a natural-looking environment. You walk through the cave, observe the turtles up close, and learn about turtle conservation efforts.

Will I definitely see dolphins at Kizimkazi?

You search for dolphins in the waters of Kizimkazi by traditional boat with a local guide who knows where they are likely to appear. The guide respects the marine life and helps you look, but sightings depend on sea conditions and where the dolphins are on the day.

What snorkeling equipment do I get, and do I need experience?

The operator provides a mask, snorkel and fins. No prior experience is needed. The activity suits beginners and experienced snorkelers alike. A guide accompanies you in the water and can show you the best spots for coral and fish.

What happens at Pungume Sandbank?

Pungume Sandbank is a stretch of white sand surrounded by shallow turquoise water in the middle of the ocean. You relax on the sand, swim in the shallows, take photos and eat a fresh seafood lunch prepared locally. The sandbank's appearance depends on the tide.

Is pickup from my hotel included?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from all hotels in the area are included in the booking.