The 10 Best Dolphin Watching Trips in Zanzibar

1.Mnemba Island: Dolphin Swim & Snorkeling with Optional Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 591 reviews · 3.5 - 5 hours · from $21Our pick

Set out from Muyuni Beach or add hotel pickup for a half-day trip to Mnemba Atoll. Guides such as Khamis, Ali, Ramadan, and Fransic lead dolphin watching, snorkeling, and fruit stops. You may swim near wild dolphins, though busy boat traffic can affect the encounter.

“Fantastic!!! amazing experience and the tour guys that we were on the boat they were very friendly and helpful. 🙏🏽 Great team and the vibe was great 😊 Felt a bit sorry for the dolphin that we kept chasing but hopefully it has get used to it.”

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2.Mnemba Island snorkeling and Swimming with Dolphin

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 412 reviews · from $55

Set out from Mama Mia Restaurant, Nungwi, or Kendwa around 8:30 AM for a four-hour boat trip with Captain Barnaba Excursions. Look for dolphins, snorkel Mnemba’s coral reefs, and visit a sandbank if the tide allows. Equipment is provided, pickup is available, and groups are limited to eight people.

“We did this trip again on our last day to chance it :)) ...and we were able to swim with dolphins this time! it was breathtaking seeing them swimming underwater.... We also had a chance this time to go to the sandbank! Of course the snorkeling was great too. it was so nice to book it with the same guys again!”

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3.Dolphin tour, Jozani Forest, Jambiani Kuza Cave, Paje Beach &The Rock restaurent

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 164 reviews · from $130

Spend about nine hours touring Zanzibar with private transport and a guide, stopping for a dolphin cruise, Jozani’s red colobus monkeys, Kuza Cave, Paje Beach, and The Rock. Guides such as Amina, Ibrahim, and Hassan have earned praise for their care and flexibility. Lunch and any restaurant deposit are extra.

“Very welcoming, polite and caring guide and driver. Great experience to see in one day key parts of zanzibar!”

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4.Private Dolphin Tour and Snorkeling at Mnemba Island reef

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 104 reviews · from $104

You’ll spend about three hours in Zanzibar’s northeastern waters, looking for wild dolphins, snorkeling at Mnemba Reef, and relaxing on a nearby sandbank. The private tour includes hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, boat transport, equipment, bottled water, and tropical fruit. Guides such as Ahmed and Msomali are noted for patient, friendly help.

“Une formidable matinée , une excursion à recommander , de beaux poissons et récifs. L’équipe est vraiment chouette et excursion vip à deux , plateau de fruits, boisson ... top. Merci vous”

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5.Mnemba dolphin & snorkel: from matemwe, pwani, kwingwa, Uroa

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 74 reviews · 4 hours · from $52

From Matemwe, Pwani, Kwingwa, or Uroa, you’ll ride by van and boat to look for dolphins, snorkel around Mnemba’s coral reefs, and visit a sandbank when tides allow. Small groups are limited to eight. Guides such as Juma, Fau, Isaac, and Bakari are praised for safety, local knowledge, and helping with photos.

“We had a brilliant day out with our guide Fauz, who made it his priority to ensure that everybody had the best experience. Pickup at the hotel was arranged for us at short notice - and arrived on time as well. I can highly recommend this experience.”

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6.Private/Sharing: Snorkeling with Dolphins Sandbank in Mnemba

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · from $120Top rated

Set out from Kendwa at 9 a.m. on a private traditional dhow for Mnemba’s clear water, coral reefs, colorful fish, and a seafood and chicken barbecue. You may spot dolphins on the way and can swim if conditions allow. Guides including Matthias, Mbwana, Yusef, and Musa have helped guests snorkel and made the day easy for families.

“This was 100% worth it! Never have I ever seen such beautiful beaches. What I liked about this was it was private, when you're on the water you'll see other boats crammed with people. The lunch was great, 10/10!”

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7.5-Hour Snorkeling, Swimming with Dolphins and Sea Turtles Aquarium

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 48 reviews · from $60

Join Nungwi Aquarium Adventures for a five-hour trip from Mnarani Aquarium to Mnemba Atoll. With a maximum of seven people, you’ll snorkel among reef fish, look for dolphins, picnic on fruit and soft drinks at a sandbank, then swim with sea turtles in a natural lagoon. Snorkeling gear and park fees are included.

“The service was great. We managed to spot the dolphins . They gave us ample time to do snorkelling. They also provided us with delicious snacks”

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8.Snorkeling and swimming with dolphins in mnemba island

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 38 reviews · 4 - 5 hours · from $80

Set out from Muyuni Beach or Nungwi for a half-day boat trip to Mnemba Atoll. You will search for wild dolphins, snorkel at two reef spots, and stop at a sandbank for fruit and water. Equipment is included, hotel pickup is optional, and English, French, and German guides are available.

“Amazing day overall, highly recommend. From the beginning we had a great driver, good music, good vibes. Our boat captain and his brothers were excellent, very knowledgeable and made us feel safe. The positive energy from the team was infectious. What a life they live swimming with Dolphins everyday. We saw multiple dolphin pods, got a bit of rain, got a bit of sunshine and we’ll be heading back with some iconic pictures and videos.”

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9.Dolphin Tour, Jozani Forest Tour, Kuza Cave Tour, Paje Beach,The Rock Restaurant

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 37 reviews · from $128

Spend about 10 hours touring Zanzibar by private, air-conditioned vehicle with a guide and driver. Snorkel near Mnemba Island, look for red colobus monkeys in Jozani Forest, swim in Kuza Cave, relax at Paje Beach, and finish at The Rock Restaurant. Lunch is not included.

“My 4 friends and I went on this private tour and loved every minute of it! We got to swim with dolphins, stand inches away from monkeys, and enjoy the beautiful views. Taimur, our guide, was so nice and funny — we loved spending time with you during the drives!! I recommend, especially with Taimur!”

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10.Mnemba Island Snorkeling and Dolphin Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 28 reviews · from $40

From Muyuni Beach, you’ll cruise to Zanzibar’s dolphin area and Mnemba Atoll with a local marine guide. Expect dolphin spotting, reef snorkeling, a tide-dependent sandbank stop with tropical fruit, and a seafood lunch. Guide Ramadhani Ramiel has earned special praise for finding dolphins quickly.

“the tour itself was very good, the guides. attentions to what we wanted was great. snorkeling, sandbay and seeing starfish was fab. meeting point was unclear, delays to get started and an additional tax to pay, which was absolutely fine however had we known we would have brought cash.”

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