Tanzania Zanzibar Weather in October — Climate Guide
October in Zanzibar is high
Zanzibar Weather in October — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Avg temp
- 31° / 23°
- Rainfall
- 75mm · 7 days
- Crowds
- Moderate
As of 2026, Zanzibar in October averages a high of 31°C and low of 23°C with 75mm of rain over about 7 days. End of the dry season — around 31°C/23°C, warming and humid, with the first short showers possible. Light clothing, SPF 50+, hat, a light rain layer. Modest cover for Stone Town.
October is high for Zanzibar.
October closes out the long dry season — still mostly sunny and warm, with conditions good across the island, though humidity rises and the first short showers can appear late in the month.
It's a good-value window before the December high season: dry-season-ish weather, moderate crowds, and reasonable prices. The north swims well, the east coast still works for kitesurfing, and Mnemba snorkeling stays reliable. Whale shark sightings off nearby Mafia Island begin around now.
Travel score
Zanzibar October Weather Stats
Avg High
31°C
Avg Low
23°C
Rainy Days
7
75mm total
Sunshine
8h
Daily avg
Humidity
79%
comfortable
UV Index
12
Extreme
Wind
10 km/h
Gusts 20
Crowds
Moderate
At attractions
October Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
10 μg/m³
PM10
21 μg/m³
Status
good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
35°C
Nighttime
24°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
10 km/h
Max gust 20 km/h
Activities Recommended for October
October Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Last of the dry season — mostly sunny
- Whale shark season begins (off Mafia)
- Good value before the December peak
- Moderate crowds
Cons
- Warming and more humid
- First short showers possible late in the month
- Extreme UV (index 12)
- Mosquitoes tick up as showers return
October Events & Festivals
- Last of the long dry season
- Whale shark season begins off Mafia Island (Oct-Feb)
- Short rains approach late in the month
- Good value before the December peak
Zanzibar in October — Full Picture
October closes out the long dry season — still mostly sunny and warm, with conditions good across the island, though humidity rises and the first short showers can appear late in the month.
It's a good-value window before the December high season: dry-season-ish weather, moderate crowds, and reasonable prices. The north swims well, the east coast still works for kitesurfing, and Mnemba snorkeling stays reliable. Whale shark sightings off nearby Mafia Island begin around now.
Stone Town is comfortable, and the Zanzibar-plus-safari combo still works as the mainland's prime season tails off. By late October, keep beach and boat plans a touch flexible as the short rains near.
Note: warming and increasingly humid; keep up sun protection and basic malaria precautions, with mosquito numbers starting to tick up as showers return.
What to Wear & What to Pack
End of the dry season — around 31°C/23°C, warming and humid, with the first short showers possible. Light clothing, SPF 50+, hat, a light rain layer. Modest cover for Stone Town.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
31.3°C
23.7°C
13.7/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
29.3°C
22°C
4.3/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
Current30.7°C
22.7°C
7.3/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
32.7°C
24°C
7/mo
Zanzibar Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33° | 24° | 7d·60mm | 8h | 80% | 12 | Busy | Peak | |
| February (Best) | 33° | 24° | 6d·55mm | 8.5h | 80% | 12 | Busy | Peak |
| 32° | 24° | 11d·130mm | 7h | 83% | 12 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 31° | 24° | 16d·290mm | 5.5h | 85% | 11 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 31° | 23° | 14d·200mm | 6h | 84% | 11 | Quiet | Low season | |
| June (Best) | 30° | 22° | 5d·50mm | 8h | 78% | 11 | Moderate | Shoulder |
| July (Best) | 29° | 22° | 4d·45mm | 8h | 77% | 11 | Very busy | Peak |
| August (Best) | 29° | 22° | 4d·45mm | 8.5h | 77% | 12 | Very busy | Peak |
| September (Best) | 30° | 22° | 4d·45mm | 8.5h | 78% | 12 | Busy | Shoulder |
| 31° | 23° | 7d·75mm | 8h | 79% | 12 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 31° | 23° | 11d·130mm | 6.5h | 81% | 11 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 32° | 24° | 8d·90mm | 7.5h | 81% | 12 | Very busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Zanzibar October Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is October a good time to visit Zanzibar?
Zanzibar in October is high. Tourist crowds are moderate and flight/hotel prices are shoulder.
What's the average temperature in Zanzibar in October?
Zanzibar October averages a high of 31°C and a low of 23°C.
Does it rain much in Zanzibar in October?
Zanzibar October averages 75mm of rainfall over about 7 rainy days.
What should I wear in Zanzibar in October?
End of the dry season — around 31°C/23°C, warming and humid, with the first short showers possible. Light clothing, SPF 50+, hat, a light rain layer. Modest cover for Stone Town.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Zanzibar in October?
Zanzibar October sunrise is 06:10 and sunset is 18:10, with 12h 00min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Zanzibar in October?
Zanzibar October air quality (AQI) averages 29, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 10μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Zanzibar in October?
In October, Zanzibar is great for Mnemba Atoll snorkeling, North-coast beach days, Stone Town + Prison Island.
Is October peak season in Zanzibar?
Zanzibar October crowds are moderate and prices are shoulder. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit Zanzibar
View Other Months
Planning a October trip to Zanzibar?
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Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.