The 15 Best Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling Trips in Zanzibar

1.Mnemba Island: Dolphin Swim & Snorkeling with Optional Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 591 reviews · 3.5 - 5 hours · from $21Our pick

Set out from Muyuni Beach or choose hotel pickup for a half-day boat trip near Mnemba Island. Local guides such as Khamis, Ali, Ramadan, and Marco Polo lead dolphin watching, reef snorkeling, fruit stops, and an optional Swahili or seafood lunch.

“We had an excellent time on this activity. We got to see dolphins and fish. The two men did a fantastic job keeping the energy up and providing us with information about the animals.”

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2.Private Dolphin Tour and Snorkeling at Mnemba Island reef

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 104 reviews · from $104

You’ll combine dolphin watching, Mnemba Reef snorkeling, and a sandbank swim on a private three-hour outing with The Sultan Tours. Ahmed and Msomali are praised for patient help, while transport and communication can vary. Equipment, fruit, water, and hotel transfers are included.

“Horrible experience. Driver came 1h late. We were with the dolphin not even 5 minutes. I would not recommand this trip. It’s actually worth 0 start !”

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3.Private/Sharing: Snorkeling with Dolphins Sandbank in Mnemba

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · from $120Top rated

Set out from Kendwa at 9:00 a.m. on a traditional dhow for Mnemba’s clear water, coral reefs, colorful fish, a seafood and chicken barbecue, and a low-tide sandbank stop. The crew, including guides such as Matthias, Mbwana, Yusef, and Musa, also helps with snorkeling and dolphin encounters.

“We enjoyed our trip to Mnemba with Dream Dhow. We were picked up on time and we did the private tour, which we were glad we did. We booked directly with dream dhow through WhatsApp which was easy and efficient. The communication was good which is always iRead more”

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4.5-Hour Snorkeling, Swimming with Dolphins and Sea Turtles Aquarium

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 48 reviews · from $60

Spend about five hours from Nungwi exploring Mnemba Atoll with a small group of up to seven. Snorkel among reef fish, look for dolphins, picnic on fruit and soft drinks at a sandbank, then swim with sea turtles at a natural lagoon. Suleiman and his crew arrange the day.

“I wish I could split the day and rate it as separate experiences. Sea Turtles - 5 stars - amazing! This was so special. We were taken off the boat and walked a short distance to the aquarium and into the lagoon. The guy who met us was friendRead more”

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5.Zanzibar: Swimming with Dolphins and Snorkeling Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 17 reviews · 3 hours · from $120

Set out by private boat from Matemwe or Kizimkazi to look for dolphins in open water, then snorkel above coral reefs with fruit, snacks, and water provided. An English-speaking captain leads the 3-hour outing, with pickup available from hotels in northern Unguja.

“Such an unbelievable experience!! A true highlight of our trip to Zanzibar and a must even if you aren’t going to jump in to swim with them.”

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6.A Half Day Private Dolphins And Snorkeling Tour To Mnemba Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 9 reviews · from $83

Start at 8:00 am with pickup, then head to coral reefs near Mnemba Island for fish viewing and a chance to swim near bottlenose dolphins. Snorkeling gear, water, entrance fees, a guide, and a sandbank fruit stop are included. The tour is private for your group.

“Our Zanzibar holidays have gone really well Thanks to Zanzibar Crystal Tours & Safaris. Everything was great and we truly enjoyed our trip. See you again soon. Hakuna Matata.”

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7.Zanzibar: Mnemba Island Snorkeling and Dolphin Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 9 reviews · 4.5 - 6 hours · from $42

Join an English-speaking crew from Nungwi or Muyuni for a 4.5 to 6-hour trip to Mnemba Atoll. Watch for wild dolphins, snorkel among tropical fish and coral, and relax with fruit and water. Pickup is free in Nungwi and Kendwa, with other Zanzibar hotels available for an added charge.

“Hoe alles verliep was onduidelijk en de communicatie is niet zo goed. Verder is de ervaring zelf mooi en bijzonder”

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8.Dolphin Tour & Snorkeling at Mnemba Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews

Kobe Adventures takes your private group of up to two from your Zanzibar hotel to seek wild dolphins near Mnemba, snorkel over Mnemba Reef, and unwind on a nearby sandbank. The 3 to 4 hour outing includes equipment, pickup, and a professional guide.

“Thanks for this unbelievable moment. It was amazing to swim with the dolphins and in this fabulous sea.”

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9.Mnemba Island Marine Safari Snorkeling and Dolphin Watching

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $150

Set out from Matemwe Beach for a private motorboat trip to Mnemba Atoll. Look for wild dolphins, snorkel among tropical fish and sea turtles, and enjoy fruit and water with a local guide such as Aymani. Pickup, equipment, transport, and fees are included.

“Swimming with the dolpin was a dream come true! Smooth boat riding and snorkeling was incredible. Must do tour in Zanzibar. All thanks to Ngalawa Tours & Safari”

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10.Dolphin and Tumbatu Island Snorkeling Tour with Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $90

Start at 8:00 am near Mama Mia Nungwi with Captain Barnaba Excursions. Ali and Raheem lead a small group of up to eight, taking you by boat to look for dolphins off Nungwi before snorkeling among Tumbatu Island’s conserved corals. Equipment, water, fees, and pickup are included.

“Ali and Raheem made our trip a fantastic experience. They went out of their way to make sure we enjoyed it. Ali came in the water with us, to make sure we were safe and Raheem steered the boat so effectively, we were able to see many dolRead more”

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11.Mnemba Island Snorkeling and Swimming with Dolphins

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4 reviews · from $65

You’ll leave from Stone Town for Mnemba Island, where an English or German guide leads snorkeling among coral and fish before a dolphin-searching swim. The private tour lasts about five hours, includes equipment, entry fees, and fruit, and costs $65 per person.

“The tour company was fine but the experience is not very good. The snorkeling is in a very small reef area without much to see but the fish attracted by the guides feeding them. The dolphin swimming is a farce, 2 or 3 dolphins pursued by 30 Read more”

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12.Mnemba Island Snorkeling and Dolphin tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $80

Set out at 6:00 am for a private six-hour trip to the Mnemba conservation area with guides Joana and Jumaa. Snorkel among colorful fish, look for green turtles and dolphins, relax by a sandbank, and enjoy seafood, fruit, water, boat transport, and equipment.

“Amazing trip, though couldn't observe the dolphins. However snorkeling site and sand bank where amazing. Joana and Jumaa where amazing companions.”

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13.Dolphin, Snorkeling,Turtles and SunSet Cruise with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 1 day · from $135

Set out from Stone Town, Nungwi, Pwani Mchangani, or Kizimkazi for a private day of dolphin watching near Mnemba, reef snorkeling, turtle swimming, lunch, fruit, and a dhow sunset cruise. Guides speak seven languages, and the schedule can adapt to your group.

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14.Mnemba Island Swim with Dolphins and Snorkeling (Sea food Lunch)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $100

Start at 7:30 am from your Unguja hotel and sail from Matemwe toward Mnemba Island. With guide Amina or Ameena, look for dolphins, snorkel among coral and colorful fish, enjoy fresh fruit on a sandbank, then stop for a seafood lunch.

“Had an amazing day trip with Amina, who was such a pleasure to be around. She had great insight, attitude, and very attentive. Not only did she answer all my many questions, she ensured I was have a great time.”

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15.Day Trip Zanzibar: Snorkeling Dolphin Aquarium Turtles and Sunset

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $140

Start at 9:00 a.m. with private pickup, then snorkel around Mnemba Island, visit Baraka Natural Aquarium in Nungwi, and finish at Kendwa Beach for sunset. Lunch, fruit, water, equipment, entry fees, and air-conditioned transport are included. Khamis handles guest communication.

“Firstly, i would to love to say thank you to the Destiny Zanzibar tour and Safari for an amazing experience with my wife. They communicated with me a day before the activity about the time and how we were going to be picked up at our hoteRead more”

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