Snorkeling in Zanzibar: Dolphins, Reef & Forest

Swim with dolphins, then explore a limestone cave and mangrove forest in one day

A 10-hour snorkeling tour in Zanzibar starts with a motorized boat from Matemwe Village to search for dolphins in the afternoon, then moves through Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park (home to red colobus monkeys), Kuza Cave (a 50-metre sinkhole carved by rainwater over 250,000 years), and Paje Beach. Private transport, snorkeling equipment and a naturalist guide are included. Lunch at The Rock restaurant is part of the day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Dolphins, Forest, Cave, Beach, and Dining

• Depart Matemwe Village by boat
• Swim with dolphins
• Snorkel near Mnemba Island
• Visit Jozani Forest reserve
• Explore floating mangrove bridge
• Walk through mangrove forest
• Enter Kuza Cave in Jambiani
• Relax and swim at Paje Beach
• Have lunch or dinner at The Rock restaurant

The experience

The boat leaves Matemwe Village in the afternoon: timing that keeps the dolphins undisturbed by morning crowds. You'll search for bottle-nosed and humpback dolphins by motorized boat, and if conditions allow, swim close enough to see them. Once the dolphin portion ends, the snorkeling begins near Mnemba Island, where you enter the water with provided equipment to explore the reef.

Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park is the only national park on Zanzibar Island and covers only 50 square kilometres, but it holds endangered red colobus monkeys and a floating mangrove bridge. Your naturalist guide walks you through the forest reserve, the mangrove swamp and the pathways where the monkeys live. The guides are trained to explain both the wildlife and the forest's role as a natural pharmacy. Each plant and tree has a medicinal use locals have relied on for generations.

Kuza Cave in Jambiani sits 50 metres down a sinkhole in the jungle, its circular shape the result of 250,000 years of rainwater eroding limestone. A natural rock formation shaped like an elephant stands inside, used by locals as an altar. Paje Beach comes next: shallow, clear water where you can snorkel around the Blue Lagoon area. The day ends at The Rock, Zanzibar's best-known restaurant, where you eat lunch or dinner with views and island dishes.

What’s included

• Private transportation to and from each stop.
• motorized boat for dolphin spotting from Matemwe Village.
• snorkeling equipment for reef and beach snorkeling.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• all fees and taxes.
• lunch or dinner at The Rock restaurant.

Information

Lasts 10h, runs every day at 08:00, from US$ 135 per person, with live guides in 7 languages, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00Another time? ›

GroupPrivate3 group tours ›

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

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

AgesAdult (26 to 61 years) · Senior (62 and older) · Youth (11 to 25 years) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (1 to 2 years): free

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

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by kijo Viaggio

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're traveling as a small group or family and want a full day that mixes water time with forest and cave exploration. The afternoon dolphin departure keeps the experience calm and less crowded, and the naturalist guides mean you'll learn what you're seeing rather than just pass through.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

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

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 25 years); Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (1 to 2 years): free.

What are the dolphins like in Matemwe Village?

Bottle-nosed and humpback dolphins school in the waters off Mnemba fishing village on Zanzibar's southern point. The afternoon timing reduces tourist numbers, which means the dolphins stay calmer and you have a better chance of swimming close to them if they approach.

What will I see inside Kuza Cave?

Kuza Cave is a 50-metre-deep sinkhole carved into limestone by rainwater over 250,000 years. Inside, a large natural rock sculpture shaped like an elephant serves as a local altar. The cave sits in a small jungle in Jambiani on Zanzibar's east coast and feels like an underground oasis once you cross the bridge and descend the stairs.

What is Jozani Forest like to walk through?

Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park is small, only 50 square kilometres, but dense with endangered red colobus monkeys, mangrove swamps and a floating mangrove bridge. Your naturalist guide leads you along pathways where the monkeys live and explains how the forest plants serve as natural remedies in Swahili culture.

Is snorkeling equipment provided, or do I need to bring my own?

Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour. You'll use it near Mnemba Island after the dolphin portion and again at Paje Beach during the Blue Lagoon snorkeling.

How does transport work on this tour?

Private transportation is included for the entire day. You're picked up, driven to Matemwe Village for the boat departure, then transported between each stop (Jozani Forest, Kuza Cave, Paje Beach and The Rock restaurant) before returning to your hotel.