Zanzibar in March — Weather, Beaches, and Whether to Go

March sits at an interesting point in Zanzibar's calendar. It is the last full month before the long rains (which typically arrive in mid to late April), and it shares some characteristics with February — still largely dry, warm, good sea — while beginning to show the signs of the season turning. Whether March is the right month for your Zanzibar visit depends on your priorities.

Weather in Zanzibar in March

March is generally the final reliable beach month before the long rains arrive. Temperatures sit between 26°C and 31°C — warm and humid. Humidity begins to build through the month, which some visitors find uncomfortable by the final week of March, particularly inland in Stone Town.

Rain in March is possible but not yet dominant. Short afternoon showers occur, typically lasting 30–60 minutes before clearing. This is different from the sustained rainfall of April and May, which can persist for days and makes Zanzibar a difficult destination for beach-focused travel. March showers are generally manageable.

Sea conditions are usually good through March. The water is warm (27–29°C), visibility for snorkelling and diving is reasonable, and the sea state is calm on the east coast (Nungwi and Kendwa on the north remain the most sheltered in any weather). The kite-surfing season at Paje on the southeast coast is transitioning in March — wind conditions are less predictable than January and February.

Beaches and Crowds in March

March is shoulder season for Zanzibar. The peak European school holiday rush of Christmas and early January has long passed, and the main northern hemisphere summer traffic has not yet arrived (July–August). March tends to have lower hotel occupancy than January or February, which means better availability and slightly lower prices at most properties.

The beaches — Nungwi, Kendwa, Matemwe, Paje — are quiet by Zanzibar's standards. If you want a calm beach experience without high season energy, March is a good option.

Best Areas for March

North coast (Nungwi and Kendwa): The most protected from weather variation. White sand, calm water, good snorkelling reef just offshore. The right choice in March if sea conditions are a priority.

East coast (Matemwe, Paje): Beautiful scenery but more exposed. The tidal range on the east coast is significant — at low tide the water recedes far from shore, which surprises many visitors. March sea conditions here are generally good but less consistent than the north.

Stone Town: Worth one to two nights at any time of year. The UNESCO old town, the markets, the food — Zanzibar's Swahili Arab Indian heritage is concentrated here. March humidity makes daytime walking less comfortable than January or February, but evenings at the waterfront are pleasant.

Diving and Snorkelling in March

March is a reasonable diving month in Zanzibar. Water temperatures are warm, visibility is typically 10–20 metres depending on site and conditions. The whale shark season at Mafia Island (south of Zanzibar) runs roughly October through March — if whale shark snorkelling is a priority, March is the last reliable month before they move on.

Snorkelling directly from the main beach areas (Nungwi reef, Prison Island) is good in March. Organised dive trips operate from most beach hotels — conditions are generally cooperative through March.

Combining with a Tanzania Safari

March is one of the better months to combine a northern Tanzania safari with a Zanzibar beach extension. The Serengeti in March is in the green season — lush landscape, excellent predator activity, far fewer vehicles than peak season (July–August). This is calving season in the Ndutu area of the southern Serengeti, with extraordinary concentrations of wildebeest, zebra, and the big cats and hyenas that follow them. For wildlife photography particularly, March in the Serengeti has a quality of light and a drama of wildlife that dry-season conditions do not replicate.

The standard routing: fly into Kilimanjaro International (JRO), 5–7 days on safari in the northern circuit, then fly Arusha to Zanzibar (approximately 50 minutes, daily flights on Auric Air and Coastal Aviation), then 3–5 days in Zanzibar before flying home via Zanzibar International (ZNZ).

Safaris Tanzania arranges the full combination — safari, Zanzibar accommodation, and all internal transfers. WhatsApp Don at +255 786 110 786 with your dates and group size for a quote.

Should You Go to Zanzibar in March?

Yes, if: You want good beach conditions without high-season crowds. You want to combine with a green-season Serengeti safari. You are flexible about the occasional afternoon shower. You want good availability and reasonable prices at top beach properties.

Consider February instead if: Sea conditions are a top priority (February is slightly drier and more settled). You want the peak kite-surfing conditions at Paje. You are particularly heat-sensitive — March humidity is higher than February.

Avoid late March if: You have a fixed schedule and cannot tolerate the small risk that the long rains arrive early. Most years the rains do not establish until mid to late April, but some years they arrive in the final week of March. If a rained-out beach week would significantly affect your experience, build in flexibility.

For most travellers, March in Zanzibar is excellent. The conditions are good, the crowds are manageable, and the combination with a green-season safari is one of Tanzania's best-value and most rewarding month combinations.