Tanzania · DOLPHIN WATCHING
Dolphins are wild and nobody can promise them, which is the first thing an honest operator will tell you. These 15 run out of Kizimkazi, Kendwa and Matemwe, priced and clear about whether snorkelling gear and a reef stop are part of the deal.
Set out from Mama Mia near Kendwa at 8:30 a.m. with an English-speaking crew such as Hassan, Ludo, Abra, or Hamis. Look for dolphins on the way to Mnemba Atoll, snorkel over coral reefs, and stop at a disappearing sandbank for fresh fruit. The crew aims to keep a respectful distance from dolphins.
“Definitely worth it and the guide was really good and helpful”
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.”
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!”
Set out from Nungwi or Muyuni for a 4.5 to 6 hour boat trip near Mnemba Island. Look for bottlenose and humpback dolphins, snorkel with a guide over coral reefs, then relax in shallow water with fresh tropical fruit. Rasheed is often the guide, and hotel pickup, lunch, and private options depend on your booking.
“Rasheed was an excellent guide. He was friendly, fun and made sure we enjoyed our day! We saw some amazing colourful fish and managed to swim with the dolphins. I wish we had time to go again.”
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!”
Meet your captain at The Mora beach in Matemwe between 8:30 and 9:00 for a shared boat trip to Mnemba Island. Snorkel over coral, watch for dolphins and turtles, and enjoy fruit and water on board. Guides such as Lava Lava, Abdul, and Lil Nasr have helped make this a friendly, photo-filled half-day outing.
“Super happy we booked this tour. The tour starts at the end of the road and we stay at the Mora so we just walk to meet the guide. They provide all the gears needed for snorkeling and nice life vest on board. We initially took a small boat then transferred to bigger dhow Boat which is a lot more comfortable for 10 people. The first stop was to find dolphins which our guide took our camera and took 11 minutes amazing video. We then went to sandbar and did snorkeling. The water is so beautiful and clear but the site to snorkeling is so so. The service on board…”
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”
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.”
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!”
From Nungwi, you travel by boat to the Mnemba area for coral-reef snorkeling, dolphin watching, fruit, and a stop at a clear-water sandbank. The tour suits beginners who are comfortable in the sea, with gear, a life jacket, and a snorkeling guide included. Hotel pickup, private groups, and four guide languages are available.
“The boat driver did a great job tracking the dolphins and we got three jumps out of the boat to swim next to them”
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”
Set out from Nungwi or Kendwa at 9:00 for a four-hour English-guided boat trip to the Mnemba conservation area. You will look for dolphins, snorkel over coral reefs, and stop at a disappearing sandbank if the tide allows. Fruit, soft drinks, equipment, conservation fees, and boat transport are included.
“Buona escursione, buon itinerario, mare stupendo, guida ottima! Da migliorare l'organizzazione al punto pick-up dato che abbiamo aspettato 25 minuti prima che si presentasse qualcuno, oltre ad un ulteriore ritardo causato da altri ospiti. A parte questo l'escursione è andata bene!”
From Nungwi or Muyuni, you’ll boat to dolphin waters and Mnemba Atoll for guided snorkeling, then enjoy tropical fruit on a nearby sandbank. Guides such as Fazhil and Rasheed have earned praise for calm, respectful outings. Lunch is optional, pickup varies, and crowded dolphin encounters can affect the day.
“we spent a very good time with them! è stato tutto molto bello, Fazhil è una guida attenta, disponibile e rispettoso verso gli ospiti, la natura e gli animali. Sempre sorridente ci ha spiegato e raccontato ogni cosa grazie ancora Fazhil. Grazie anche al mitico captain Philip, ci siamo immersi con i delfini e nuotato con loro rispettandoli e senza infastidirli! the best”
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.”
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!”
Pick a park, a mountain route or a stretch of reef.
