Where to Go: the 9 Best Nungwi Dolphin Watching Tours

1.Mnemba Island Dolphin and Snorkeling Tour

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

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.”

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2.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”

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3.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”

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4.Mnemba Island&Dolphin Swim With Optional Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 39 reviews · 3.5 - 6 hours · from $18

Boat from Nungwi or Muyuni to dolphin waters and Mnemba Atoll for guided snorkeling, fruit on a sandbank, and an optional lunch. Guides may speak English, German, French, Italian, or Swahili. Private trips are available, and the actual Mnemba Island is not open to visitors.

“we spent a very good time with them! è stato tutto molto bello, Fazhil è una guida attenta, disponibile e rispettoso verso gli ospiti, la natura e gli animali. Sempre sorridente ci ha spiegato e raccontato ogni cosa grazie ancora Fazhil. Grazie anche al mitico captain Philip, ci siamo immersi con i delfini e nuotato con loro rispettandoli e senza infastidirli! the best”

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5.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…”

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6.Mnemba Boat Tour with Snorkeling & Dolphine

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 17 reviews · 5 hours · from $28

From Nungwi or Kendwa, you’ll take a five-hour boat trip toward Mnemba Atoll to look for wild dolphins and snorkel among coral, turtles, and colorful fish. Your crew provides masks, fins, life jackets, water, and fruit. Dolphin sightings are common but not guaranteed, and busy boat traffic can affect the experience.

“Increíble!!!! Pudimos ver delfines y bañarnos con ellos. Estaban justo al lado. Incluso pudimos tocar uno. Ellos hacen su nado y con la barca les van siguiendo hasta que te dicen que ya te puedes tirar. Todas las excursiones por mucho que te dan opciones en español, NADA, todas son en inglés. Pero bueno, en esta poco hace falta hablar porque te llevan con la barca para tirarte al mar. Nosotras la recomendamos ya que tuvimos suerte y pudimos bañarnos con ellos. La hora de duración es aproximada. No hicimos 5h. No llegaron a 4h. Pero suficiente. A parte un chico iba mareado…así que volvimos antes. Recomendamos si eres de…”

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7.Mnemba Island Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 14 reviews · 4 hours · from $60

From Nungwi, you ride by van and boat to the waters around Mnemba Island, with a stated 90% chance of seeing dolphins. You may swim near them, snorkel among marine life, then stop at Mnemba or Muyuni Beach for fruit and photos. Guides speak English, Swahili, and several European languages. Ask about the guide named Ghandi, praised for a smooth trip.

“Nous avons vu plein de dauphins, c’était génial. Une expérience hors du temps”

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8.Mnemba Island Snorkeling & Dolphin

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 4.5 - 5 hours · from $27Top rated

Leave Nungwi by local boat for a 4.5 to 5-hour Mnemba Island trip with snorkeling, dolphin watching, and time on a sandbank. Guide Iddil Hajji provides safety advice and helps you respect the dolphins, while driver Salum handles hotel transfers. Snorkeling gear is supplied.

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9.Half-day Dolphin Swim & Snorkeling Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2 reviews · 4 - 4.5 hours · from $48

Set out from Zanzibar’s Unguja South Region for a 4 to 4.5-hour boat trip to dolphin-rich waters near Mnemba Island. Your English-speaking guide provides safety advice, snorkeling gear, fruit, water, and crew support. You may swim only when dolphins approach calmly. Mnemba Island landing is not included.

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