Where to Go: the 15 Best Dolphin 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 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.”

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2.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”

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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 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.

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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, 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.”

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5.Swimming with Dolphins and Snorkeling Private Tour

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

Set out from Matemwe or Kizimkazi in a private boat with a captain who knows local dolphin areas. You will watch for dolphins in open water, snorkel above coral reefs, and enjoy fruit, snacks, and water before returning to shore. Hotel pickup is included from northern Unguja hotels.

“Die Tour war an für gut und interessant. Da es sich um eine Touristenattraktion handelt, ist der Andrang besonders groß, sodass alle 20-30 Boote gleichzeitig auf die Delfine stürmen, sobald diese sich an der Wasseroberfläche zeigen. Es wird das Gefühl einer Treibjagd erweckt. Sollte man dennoch Interesse an der Tour haben, würden wir empfehlen diese vor Ort im Hotel zu buchen, da es über Get your Guide doppelt so teuer ist. Dies gilt auf für alle anderen Aktivitäten. Die Prisonislandtour war sogar fast 3-mal so teuer im Vergleich zur vor Ort Buchung. Wir würden Get your Guide nicht nochmal verwenden.”

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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 toward Mnemba Island for dolphin spotting and snorkeling over reserved coral reefs. Your private group gets equipment, water, entrance fees, and a guide. Finish at a clear-water sandbank with tropical fruit. Guides may include Issa or Essa.

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7.Mnemba Island Snorkeling and Dolphin Tour

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

You’ll travel by van and boat from Nungwi or Muyuni to Mnemba Atoll for dolphin watching, reef snorkeling, fruit, water, and beach views. Guides provide masks, fins, snorkels, and life jackets. Hotel pickup is free from Nungwi and Kendwa, with pickup elsewhere in Zanzibar 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

Travel by boat from Zanzibar to search for wild dolphins near Mnemba Island, then snorkel above Mnemba Reef and rest on a calm sandbank. This private tour costs $240 for up to two people, lasts about three to four hours, and includes hotel pickup depending on your location. A guide supplies the equipment and leads the outing.

“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

Join Ngalawa Tours & Safari for a private four-hour trip from Zanzibar to Mnemba Atoll. You’ll travel by motorboat from Matemwe Beach, look for wild dolphins, snorkel over coral reefs, and enjoy fruit and bottled water. Guides including Aymani may lead the trip. Pickup, equipment, transport, and fees are included.

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10.Dolphin and Tumbatu Island Snorkeling Tour with Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $90

Start at 8 a.m. from Mama Mia in Nungwi for dolphin swimming, then cruise to Tumbatu Island for coral snorkeling. Ali joins you in the water to help with safety, while Raheem handles the boat. The small group, equipment, water, guide, and fees 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

Meet in Stone Town for a private, five-hour outing to Mnemba Island. An English- or German-speaking guide leads you to the reef for snorkeling, then helps you search for dolphins. Equipment, entry fees, and fruit are included. Dolphin sightings depend on weather and timing, so an early start may help.

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12.Mnemba Island Snorkeling and Dolphin tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $80

Start at 6:00 am for a private six-hour boat trip from Zanzibar to the Mnemba conservation area. With guides Joana and Jumaa, you’ll snorkel among colorful fish, visit a sandbank, look for dolphins, and enjoy seafood, fruit, bottled water, and equipment included in the price.

“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 Zanzibar for a full private day of dolphin watching near Mnemba Island, reef snorkeling, turtle swimming, fruit, lunch, and a planned dhow sunset cruise. You can choose pickup and drop-off in Stone Town, Nungwi, Pwani Mchangani, or Kizimkazi. Guides are available in seven languages.

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14.Dolphin watching and Snorkeling at Mnemba Atoll – Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $89

You’ll leave Matemwe beach by private boat for dolphin watching and snorkeling at Mnemba Atoll, then rest on a sandbank with fresh fruit and water. Julio is named as a guide, and Vuaizanzinar also organizes tours. Hotel pickup, transport, and snorkeling gear are included.

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $140

Spend about 8.5 hours exploring Zanzibar by air-conditioned private vehicle and boat. Snorkel around Mnemba Island, meet green sea turtles at Baraka Natural Aquarium, relax on Kendwa Beach, and watch the sunset. Pickup, lunch, water, fruit, equipment, and entry fees are included.

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