The 15 Best Dolphin and Snorkeling Trips in Tanzania

1.Mnemba Boat Trip and Dolphin Snorkel Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,043 reviews · 4 hours · from $50Our pick

Set out from Mama Mia beach near Kendwa at 8:30 a.m. with an English-speaking guide and captain. Search for dolphins respectfully, snorkel Mnemba Atoll, and visit a sandbank at low tide. Guides such as Hassan, Ludo, Hamis, and Abra are praised for safety, calm dolphin encounters, and fresh tropical fruit.

“This tour was great. The team is so kind and helpful. They helped me get amazing videos of the dolphins and I saw the clearest waters ever, highly recommend this tour as a must when in Zanzibar.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Set out from Muyuni Beach with a local captain and guide for dolphin watching near Mnemba Island, reef snorkeling, fruit, and time by the sandbank. Guides such as Khamis, Ramadan, Ali, and Marco Polo have earned praise for helping nervous swimmers and filming underwater moments. Hotel pickup is available, and lunch can be added.

“We saw lots of dolphins above and below the water which was truly exciting to see. The warning of the feeling that you’re out hunting due to the nature of spotting dolphins and pods is true and I’m glad I knew before booking.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Mnemba Island snorkeling and Swimming with Dolphin

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 412 reviews · from $55

Set out from Mama Mia Restaurant Beach, Nungwi, or Kendwa at 8:30 AM with a small group of up to eight. Captain Barnaba’s crew takes you to dolphin waters, Mnemba’s coral reefs, and a sandbank when tides allow. Guides such as Hassan, Ludo, and Ochu provide help in the water, with snorkeling gear included.

“This was an incredible experience. We went snorkelling first and then went on the boat to the other side of Mnemba island. The crew drove us near to where the dolphins were jumping in and out of the water and we were able to take videos of them while underwater. We loved it!”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Mnemba Island Dolphin and Snorkeling Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 352 reviews · 4.5 - 6 hours · from $40

Set out from Nungwi or Muyuni with guides such as Rasheed for dolphin watching, reef snorkeling, and a sandbank stop with fresh fruit. You may see bottlenose or humpback dolphins, colorful fish, starfish, and clear water. Hotel pickup, lunch, and private tours depend on the option you choose.

“Good half day out. Found dolphins, stopped at two different places to snorkel and stopped in shallow water for a swim and fresh fruit.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Matemwe: Mnemba Island Dolphin & Snorkeling Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 152 reviews · 4 - 5 hours · from $35

Join a shared morning boat trip from Matemwe to the waters around Mnemba Island for dolphin watching, snorkeling, swimming, fresh fruit, and clear turquoise water. Guides such as Lava Lava, Abdul, Lil Nasr, and Nasor have helped make the trip memorable. Expect a 20 to 45 minute wait before departure and a $10 island fee paid locally.

“we had a really nice trip, saw a lot of dolphins! friendly crew! highly recommend this trip to everyone”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Private Dolphin Tour and Snorkeling at Mnemba Island reef

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

This three-hour private outing combines dolphin watching northeast of Zanzibar, snorkeling at Mnemba Island Reef, and a calm sandbank swim. Ahmed and Msomali are names linked with especially attentive service, though your crew may differ. Hotel pickup, a vehicle, boat transport, equipment, water, and fruit are included. Bring a towel and sunscreen.

“Great morning, got to see the dolphins and also sand bar and some Colorful fish. Pick up from our resort was great- AC van. We have 4 kids and loved it”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Mnemba dolphin & snorkel: from matemwe, pwani, kwingwa, Uroa

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 74 reviews · 4 hours · from $52

From Matemwe, Pwani, Kiwengwa, or Uroa, you’ll ride by van and boat to search for dolphins, snorkel around Mnemba Island, and visit a sandbank when tides allow. Guides such as Juma, Fau, Isaac, and Bakari are praised for safety and personal care. Groups are limited to eight, with fruit, water, gear, and hotel transfers included.

“the driver and guide were absolutely great. we saw dolphins and could swim with them, amazing beaches and tasty snack. i recommend”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.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 dolphin spotting, guided snorkeling near Mnemba Island, a seafood and chicken barbecue, and a low-tide sandbank stop. Water, soft drinks, juice, and equipment are included. The private boat suits families and couples who want space, with crew such as Matthias, Mbwana, Yusef, and Musa helping on the water.

Check availability →Read our full review

9.FROM NUNGWI; MNEMBA SNORKELING AND DOLPHIN TOUR

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 49 reviews · 6 minutes - 6 hours · from $45

From Nungwi, take a dhow toward Mnemba for coral, fish, dolphin sightings, and a shallow-water sandbank. Snorkeling gear, a guide, life jacket, and fresh fruit are included. Hotel pickup may be available, and private groups can be arranged. Expect sea spray, wet bags, and changing dolphin activity.

“The boat driver did a great job tracking the dolphins and we got three jumps out of the boat to swim next to them”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 48 reviews · from $60

Spend about five hours from Nungwi exploring Mnemba Atoll, snorkeling among reef fish, looking for dolphins, enjoying fruit and soft drinks on a sandbank, and swimming with sea turtles at Mnarani Aquarium. Suleiman and his crew may help arrange transport, but confirm pickup details before booking.

“Wonderful and memorable experience. Suleman and his crew were friendly, knowledgeable and we felt safe at all times.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Mnemba Boat Trip and Dolphin Snorkel Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 39 reviews · 4 hours · from $50

From Nungwi or Kendwa, you’ll spend four hours on the water looking for dolphins, snorkeling around Mnemba’s coral reefs, and stopping at a sandbank if the tide allows. The trip includes boat transport, gear, fruit, soft drinks, a guide, conservation fees, and hotel-area drop-off. Swimming with dolphins is not guaranteed.

“Buona escursione, buon itinerario, mare stupendo, guida ottima! Da migliorare l'organizzazione al punto pick-up dato che abbiamo aspettato 25 minuti prima che si presentasse qualcuno, oltre ad un ulteriore ritardo causato da altri ospiti. A parte questo l'escursione è andata bene!”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Snorkeling and swimming with dolphins in mnemba island

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 38 reviews · 4 - 5 hours · from $80

You’ll take a traditional boat from Muyuni Beach or Nungwi toward Mnemba Atoll, search for wild dolphins, then snorkel at two reef spots with a guide. The 4 to 5 hour trip includes equipment, water, tropical fruit, and optional hotel transfers. Dolphin sightings are possible, not guaranteed.

“Amazing day overall, highly recommend. From the beginning we had a great driver, good music, good vibes. Our boat captain and his brothers were excellent, very knowledgeable and made us feel safe. The positive energy from the team was infectious. What a life they live swimming with Dolphins everyday. We saw multiple dolphin pods, got a bit of rain, got a bit of sunshine and we’ll be heading back with some iconic pictures and videos.”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Snorkel Mnemba’s Reefs & Swim with Dolphins Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 36 reviews · 3 - 5 hours · from $40

Meet at Muyuni Beach for a 3 to 5 hour trip to the Mnemba reef zone. You’ll ride by van and speedboat, snorkel for about two hours with an English-speaking guide, and have fruit and water aboard. Dolphins may appear, but sightings and swimming are never guaranteed.

“So much fun and they let you do so much outside of what’s said.. very very nice and waited for us when we were late- such an amazing price for an awesome experience!!! DO THIS!!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Mnemba Dolphin and Snorkeling Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 31 reviews · 6 hours · from $15Best value

Set out from Nungwi by dhow or speedboat for a six-hour trip to the waters around private Mnemba Island. You’ll watch for wild dolphins, snorkel over coral reefs, and see tropical fish, starfish, and sometimes turtles. Hotel pickup, equipment, refreshments, and optional lunch or marine fees depend on the package you select.

“This Mnemba Dolphin and Snorkeling Tour was absolutely amazing from start to finish! The team was super friendly, professional, and made sure everyone felt safe and comfortable. We started the morning with a scenic boat ride over crystal-clear turquoise waters — and seeing the dolphins swimming freely beside the boat was pure magic! 🐬✨ After the dolphin encounter, we went snorkeling around Mnemba Atoll, and the underwater world was breathtaking — colorful coral reefs, schools of tropical fish, and even a few sea turtles! The guides were patient, helpful, and showed us the best spots. It was truly one of the best experiences in Zanzibar — relaxing, exciting, and full…”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Mnemba Island Snorkeling and Dolphin Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 28 reviews · from $40

From your hotel, travel to Muyuni Beach for a boat trip toward Mnemba Atoll. With a local marine guide, look for wild dolphins, snorkel among coral and tropical fish, visit a tide-dependent sandbank, and eat seafood at a beach restaurant. Guide Ramadhani Ramiel has earned special praise for his dolphin spotting.

“the tour itself was very good, the guides. attentions to what we wanted was great. snorkeling, sandbay and seeing starfish was fab. meeting point was unclear, delays to get started and an additional tax to pay, which was absolutely fine however had we known we would have brought cash.”

Check availability →Read our full review