Is May a good time to visit Zanzibar?

May improves as it goes. Early May can still be wet, but the long rains ease in the second half of the month, bringing brighter days, very low prices, and quiet beaches.

How is the weather in Zanzibar at the end of May?

By late May the rains are tailing off and the dry season is approaching, with more sunshine, comfortable temperatures, and gradually calming seas.

Hands holding an open annatto pod with bright red seeds on a Zanzibar spice farm tour.

Zanzibar Weather

Zanzibar Weather in May

Zanzibar weather in May — the long rains ease through the month, leaving lush green scenery, low prices, and increasingly bright days toward the dry season.

Zanzibar weather in May at a glance

May is the tail end of the long rains. The first half of the month can still be wet and humid, but rainfall eases steadily and the second half often delivers bright, pleasant days as the dry season approaches. Prices remain among the lowest of the year.

Temperature and sea

Daytime highs sit around 30°C (86°F), cooling to about 23°C (73°F) at night as humidity begins to drop. The Indian Ocean stays warm at roughly 28°C (82°F), and diving conditions improve as the month progresses and the water clears.

Rainfall

Showers are still likely early in May, usually as afternoon downpours, but they grow shorter and less frequent toward month's end. The countryside is vivid and green, and the island remains peaceful and uncrowded.

Should you visit in May?

Late May is a quietly excellent time to visit — you get easing weather, thinning crowds, and pre-season prices before the June rush. If you can be flexible and aim for the back half of the month, May offers some of the best value on the Zanzibar calendar.

Frequently asked questions

Is May a good time to visit Zanzibar?: May improves as it goes. Early May can still be wet, but the long rains ease in the second half of the month, bringing brighter days, very low prices, and quiet beaches.
How is the weather in Zanzibar at the end of May?: By late May the rains are tailing off and the dry season is approaching, with more sunshine, comfortable temperatures, and gradually calming seas.