13 Turtle Sanctuary Tours in Zanzibar Worth the Early Start

1.Sea Turtle Swim at Salam Cave in Kizimkazi Village

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 368 reviews · 2 - 4 hours · from $50Our pick

Meet your driver at your hotel and ride to Salam Cave in Kizimkazi Village. In the clear cave pool, you can swim with and feed cared-for sea turtles using provided seaweed. The visit lasts about two hours, with guides such as Fumu, Mohammed, Henry, or Abdul helping with safety, photos, and local insight. Early pickup helps avoid crowds.

“Absolutely amazing! Must do this if you go to Zanzibar!!! Driver was amazing he pointed out so many cool and interesting things on the way. Looked after our belongings while we swam and couldn’t have been more helpful!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Nungwi Turtle Aquarium Guided Half-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 197 reviews · 2.5 - 5 hours · from $22Best value

Travel from your Zanzibar hotel to Nungwi for a guided visit to the Marine Turtle Conservation Lagoon. Feed green turtles with seaweed, swim beside them, and learn how the center helps turtles caught in fishing nets and protects hatchlings. Hotel transfers, an aquarium guide, and an optional Kendwa Beach stop are included.

“My husband and I had a wonderful time on this trip. Not only did we get an unforgettable experience with the turtles (which were all in very good condition), our guide also gave us an unexpected tour of a local village where we attempted weaving and coconut shaving with the elder and learnt about local culture. At no point were we pressured to buy anything and felt this whole morning was a genuine and welcome experience. Would highly recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.SWIMMING WITH TURTLES AT SALAAM CAVE AT KIZIMKAZI ZANZIBAR

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 112 reviews · 3 hours · from $50

Meet your guide for a private 3-hour visit to Salaam Cave in Kizimkazi. Swim in its clear water beside cared-for sea turtles, watch feeding with seaweed, and learn about turtle protection. Hotel pickup, entrance fees, and return transport are included. Arrive early if you want a quieter cave.

“Loved seeing and swimming with the turtles in the cave. Wasn’t overcrowded at all, only four other people there at the same time. The only thing I’d say is it was not three hours; we had maybe 45 minutes in the cave and did feel as though we were being waited on to get out; however, that was plenty of time as it is a small area.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.North Coast and Turtle Sanctuary Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 90 reviews · 6 hours · from $112

Travel from your Zanzibar hotel to Nungwi for a look at traditional dhow building, a beach stop, local lunch, and a visit to a turtle sanctuary. You can feed and swim with rescued turtles, with guides such as Juma, Ahmed, Ahmad, and Zahran Faki praised for punctual service and helpful local insight.

“Awesome experience! We were a group of 9 and had an amazing day!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Sea Turtle Swim at Kizimkazi Salaam Cave Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 78 reviews · 1.5 - 4 hours · from $48

At Kizimkazi’s Salaam Cave, you swim beside sea turtles in a salt-water sanctuary and feed them seaweed. Local guide Luqman helps care for the turtles and explains their life cycle, habits, and home. Private hotel pickup, transport, entry, and an English-speaking guide are included.

“Dear Valued Guest, Thank you for your 5-star rating! We are glad you enjoyed your experience and hope to welcome you back again for another unforgettable experience! Warm Regards The Team at Beach & Safari Holidays”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Swim with Sea Turtles, Kuza Cave, Paje Beach, The Rock Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 77 reviews · 9 hours · from $150

Spend nine hours on a private Zanzibar outing with hotel pickup, a guide, and bottled water. Visit Salaam Cave for sea turtles, swim at Kuza Cave, walk Paje Beach, and see The Rock Restaurant. The schedule may also include Jozani Forest and dolphins at Kizimkazi. Lunch at The Rock costs extra.

“I really enjoyed the tour! The caves were beautiful, feeding the turtles was great, and Paje was stunning. It would be great to add on Jozani forest as an additional activity, as it’s in the vicinity. The tour guide Abdul was brilliant! He explained the schedule for the day as soon as I was picked up from the hotel, so I knew exactly what to expect. He is knowledgeable, friendly and honest, which is exactly what you need from a guide in Zanzibar! As a solo traveller, he made me feel at ease, which was grateful appreciated. At Salaam cave, Abdul noticed that I wasn’t happy with the photos that…”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Swim with Sea Turtles at Baraka or Salaam Aquarium

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 65 reviews · 3 hours · from $80

Choose Baraka Aquarium near Nungwi or Salaam Aquarium in Kizimkazi based on your hotel location. Your English-speaking driver, possibly Abdul or Mrisho, collects you at the lobby and returns you after a roughly three-hour outing. At the aquarium, a local guide explains turtle care, then you can feed, touch, swim with, and photograph the turtles.

“Abdul was an amazing and knowledgeable host. He picked us up early so we could avoid the crowds at the aquarium and told us all about the history of Zanzibar on our journey. 10/10 would recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.5-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”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Massai village & Baraka turtules aquarium

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 42 reviews · 5 hours · from $57

This five-hour small-group trip combines a Maasai cultural visit in Kidoti with swimming and turtle feeding at Baraka Aquarium in Nungwi. An English-speaking guide handles the day, with hotel pickup, entry fees, and return transport included. Isaac is one guide praised for clear explanations and attentive family care.

“We would like to thank you for such a wonderful adventure! Our family was very pleased with the tour! Everything was of a very high standard. An intelligent guide, a kind and friendly driver, a comfortable car and interesting locations. We will be happy to recommend you to others! Thank you!”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Baraka Aquarium Feed, Swim & Snorkel with Turtles

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 27 reviews · 2 hours · from $42

Meet rescued sea turtles at Baraka Natural Aquarium near Nungwi. You can feed them seaweed, swim in their natural tidal pool, and hear how the center protects local turtles. The visit is private, guided, and listed at two hours, though the actual time in the water may vary. Hotel pickup, entry, and equipment access are included.

“We would have liked to snorkel for longer but was super fun.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Mnemba Island, Turtle Tour, Kuza Cave, The Rock

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 26 reviews · 10 hours · from $160

You get a private hotel pickup, guide, boat, and a full day around Zanzibar’s east coast. Snorkel at Mnemba Atoll, swim with dolphins, visit Baraka Natural Aquarium and Kuza Cave, then reach The Rock Restaurant at 16:00. Guides including Sadik, Abdula, and Khaled have earned praise for language skills, care, and good humor.

“Ultimo è un grande! Tutto perfetto nulla da dire. Siamo riusciti a vedere i delfini e abbiamo nuotato insieme a loro 😍 fatto il bagno con le tartarughe, mangiato divinamente al the rock (vi consiglio le parpardelle 🤪 ) e imparato tantissime cose insieme ad Ultimo, consiglio quest escursione a tutti.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Swimming with Turtles at Salaam Cave Aquarium

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 26 reviews · 4 hours · from $56

Meet your guide at your hotel, ride to Salaam Cave in Kizimkazi, and swim with sea turtles in a clear coastal cave pool. You will learn about turtle protection, watch them feed, and have time for photos, swimming, and snorkeling. The four-hour private outing includes transfers, admission, and a bottle of water.

“Ha sido divertira. Algo diferente y para recordar y repetir”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Mnemba Island & Jozani Forest Tour with Turtles

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 25 reviews · 8 hours · from $170

Spend eight hours with a private guide exploring Mnemba’s reefs, searching for dolphins, walking through Jozani Forest, and swimming with sea turtles. Guides such as Hassan, Harith, Salum, and Mohammed have led this route. Bring a towel, sunscreen, cash for lunch, and patience for changing wildlife conditions.

“Det var en fantastisk dag med många fina minnen och intryck. Väldigt bra arrangerat och vår guide Salum var mycket trevlig och informativ.”

Check availability →Read our full review