Dolphin Tours in Zanzibar

There are a couple of dolphin pods that live around the island of Unguja, commonly referred to as Zanzibar. With a little luck, it is possible to spot them near the shoreline. Some are even visible along the coast of Stone Town.

However, if you want to up your chances of seeing the dolphins, one area stands above the rest and that is Kizimkazi.

And there are not one but two distinct varieties of dolphins. These are the humpback dolphins and the bottlenose dolphins.

Kizimkazi is to be found in the south of Zanzibar. The waters around this area are used by the dolphins for nursing calves as well as offering a reliable food supply.  In fact, the dolphins are found here all through the year.

There are up to 150 bottlenose dolphins and 50 humpback dolphins that reside in Kizimkazi. Sometimes it is not easy to spot these beautiful creatures of the sea and that is what makes dolphin day tours such an exciting experience.

Another great location for spotting the dolphins is Mnemba Island on the northeast coast. If you are lucky, you will be treated to the spinner dolphins that love to make acrobatic air displays. There are however some things that you can do to maximize your chances of seeing the dolphins and these are planning your trips between October and February.

The dolphins in this region are used to human presence and are very friendly and playful. You will even get the chance to make the most of it and swim with the dolphins. However, you should not touch them.

The dolphin tours in Zanzibar will likely take a full day where you will ride traditional dhows. While the dhows are traditional looking, they are still very safe and come fitted with outboard engines.

They also come with life jackets, first aid kits, waterproof bags, and have marine insurance and public liability insurance.

You can use snorkeling equipment to go swim with the dolphins. If you are not the best swimmer, you can also get snorkeling vests. After you’ve had your fun, you can then retreat to the island and enjoy a delicious lunch of seafood.

Fumba is located 30 minutes away from Stone Town and is often where the dolphin tours will begin. Situated at Zanzibar’s southwest, this is a great place to see and explore the Menai Bay which is officially a conservation area.

There are a few uninhabited islands in Mnemba bay and the region is frequented by the bottlenose and humpback dolphins. By visiting Zanzibar at the best time of year there is a very high chance that you will spot the dolphins and get the chance to swim with them. You will come out with an unforgettable experience of a lifetime.