Snorkeling in Zanzibar City from Fumba: Menai Bay

You board a wooden dhow at dawn and spend the day in water, not on a boat watching it pass.

Snorkel three separate reefs and sandbanks in Menai Bay Conservation Area, departing from the fishing village of Fumba on a traditional wooden dhow with a live guide, snorkeling equipment, seafood lunch on Kwale Island, and hotel pickup from Zanzibar City included. The full-day itinerary covers calm lagoons, coral reefs and isolated sandbanks without requiring you to arrange transport or gear.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Menai Bay by dhow boat

• Board wooden dhow boat in Fumba
• Sail to sandbank for snorkeling
• Snorkel at coral reef
• Cruise to mangrove-framed lagoon
• Snorkel in lagoon
• Enjoy seafood buffet on Kwale Island
• Return transfer to Zanzibar hotel

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Zanzibar hotel and a drive to Fumba, the departure point closest to Menai Bay's reefs and sandbanks. You board a traditional dhow, a wooden sailing boat, and head out to the first snorkel site, a shallow sandbank where the water stays calm and clear. The guide leads you through the sequence: sandbank first, then a coral reef where the fish density picks up, then a final lagoon framed by mangroves before lunch.

Snorkeling equipment is provided, so you arrive with nothing but a swimsuit and sunscreen. Three separate water stops mean you're in the sea for most of the day, not riding between them. The reef sections are the draw: Menai Bay is a conservation area, and the coral and fish populations reflect that protection. Between snorkels, the dhow moves under sail when the wind allows, which is slower than a motorboat but also quieter and part of why this bay stays less crowded than the reefs closer to Stone Town.

Lunch is a seafood buffet served on Kwale Island, one of the sandbanks you'll visit. The meal accommodates dietary needs: vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available if you request them when you book. After eating, you snorkel the final lagoon before the return journey to Fumba and then back to your hotel, arriving in the late afternoon. The whole day runs about eight hours from pickup to drop-off.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment.
• hotel pickup and return transfer to Zanzibar City.
• a live guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French or other languages.
• seafood lunch on Kwale Island with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available.
• all fees and taxes.

Options for this experience

2 options

Full day tripGuide in 9 languages · 08:00Private Safari Blue experience with pickup included

Safari blueGuide in 9 languages · 08:00Includes pickup

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

AgesAdult (27 to 61 years) · Senior (62 and older) · Youth (11 to 26 years) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (1 to 2 years): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Arabic, Czech, Polish and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 22 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by kijo Viaggio

Is this one for you?Book this if you have a full day free and want to spend most of it in the water rather than traveling between distant sites: three snorkel stops in one bay means less boat time and more time underwater. The traditional dhow and small group size keep the experience quieter than the speedboat runs to more distant reefs.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Czech, Arabic, Russian and Polish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 26 years); Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (1 to 2 years): free.

What's the water like at the three snorkel stops in Menai Bay?

The first stop is a shallow sandbank with calm, clear water and sand underfoot; the second is a coral reef where the fish are denser and the water slightly deeper; the third is a mangrove-framed lagoon. All three are inside the Menai Bay Conservation Area, so the coral and marine life are protected from heavy fishing pressure.

Do I need to bring my own snorkeling gear or is it provided?

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you don't need to pack or rent it separately. Bring a swimsuit, sunscreen and a towel.

What time does the day start and when do I get back to my hotel?

Hotel pickup happens in the morning from Zanzibar City, and you return in the late afternoon after a full day on the water. The total time from pickup to drop-off is about eight hours.

Is lunch included, and can you handle dietary restrictions?

Lunch is a seafood buffet served on Kwale Island and is included in the price. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available. Let the operator know your needs when you book.

Do I need snorkeling experience or swimming ability to join?

The activity is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The guide leads the snorkeling, and the first stop is a shallow sandbank where the water is calm, so beginners can build confidence before moving to the reef.