Yacht charter in Tanzania
Sailing in ZanzibarSpice islands, sandbanks, coral reefs – and a safari
Zanzibar is one of the last truly wild yachting areas: empty sandbanks, reefs full of life, fishing villages and warm water all year round. Here is everything you need to plan your catamaran charter.
Why Zanzibar
A yachting paradise few sailors know yet
Forget crowded marinas. In Zanzibar you often have a whole sandbank, reef or bay to yourself.
- Wild, uninhabited islands and sandbanks that appear at low tide
- Snorkelling on coral reefs and swimming near dolphins
- Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the island's famous spice farms
- Warm water and sailing all year round
- The only place where you can combine a yacht charter with a safari
Yacht charter + safari in one holiday
Zanzibar is the only yachting destination in the world where you can combine a yacht charter with a safari.
- Sail across the channel. Saadani National Park, the closest safari park to Zanzibar, lies only about 25 nautical miles from Azam Marina, on the mainland coast.
- Anchor off the beach. Go ashore and explore the park with a local guide (a guided tour is required in the park).
- Or go further. We work with several safari organisers on the mainland and can add a longer safari before or after your cruise. Safaris are possible in all of Tanzania's national parks, including the famous Serengeti.
Safari and national park fees are not included in the charter price. We arrange everything on request.
Photos from our own safari trip.
Where to sail
Sailing areas around Zanzibar
The Zanzibar archipelago is made up of Unguja (the main island, usually just called Zanzibar), Pemba and dozens of smaller islets and sandbanks. "Zanzibar" is often said to mean "beautiful island". From our base you can also sail to the Tanzanian mainland coast and Mafia Island.
Stone Town & nearby islands
Moor right in front of the Stone Town promenade on one of our own moorings. Nearby: Prison Island with its Aldabra giant tortoises, Bawe Island and the Nakupenda sandbank. Freddie Mercury was born in Stone Town.
Mnemba, Nungwi & Kendwa
Mnemba Atoll offers excellent snorkelling, dolphins and a beautiful sandbank. Kendwa and Nungwi offer the best beaches and the island's nightlife.
Menai Bay
Zanzibar's largest protected marine area: sandbanks, mangroves, dolphins near Kizimkazi and Kwale Island with its 500-year-old baobab. Some protected areas charge an entrance fee.
Pemba – the Green Island
About 50 km north of Zanzibar, wild and rarely visited. Misali Island, dolphin pods around Fundu and Njao, Ngezi Forest with flying foxes and monkeys, and friendly fishing villages. Whales and dolphins can be seen on the way. Stock up before you go – shops on Pemba are basic.
Pemba cabin cruise →
Dar es Salaam & Saadani
Our own moorings next to Hotel Slipway in Dar es Salaam, the small islands of Mbudya and Bongoyo, and Saadani National Park, where the savannah meets the beach. Charters can start or end in Dar es Salaam on request.
Mafia Island
Mafia is not part of Zanzibar. It belongs to mainland Tanzania, south of Zanzibar, and is one of the world's great diving spots, with whale sharks and dive centres. We sail there on longer cruises.
Zanzibar South + Mafia cruise →Our map
Anchorages, islands and highlights
Our own map of Zanzibar, Pemba and the mainland coast: sandbanks, snorkelling spots, villages and our moorings.
Sailed with us and know a spot we haven't marked? Let us know and we'll gladly feature it on the map, with a mention of you.
How to sail
Choose your way to sail Zanzibar
Week charter
The whole catamaran for your group. Sail with our local deckhand, or add a skipper, chef and full board for a carefree holiday.
Week charters →
Cabin cruise
7 nights on a crewed catamaran to Pemba or Mafia. Book your own cabin with a skipper and chef on board.
Cabin cruises →
Day trip
Sunset (3 h), half-day (6 h) or full-day (9 h) catamaran trips to Mnemba, Prison Island, sandbanks and Menai Bay, starting from almost anywhere on the island.
Day charters →Sailing here
Why every yacht sails with a local deckhand
Zanzibar is not the Mediterranean. Charts are often imprecise, some depths are marked wrongly and tides are high. That's why bareboat charters always come with one of our local deckhands on board.
- Knows the safe anchorages, tides and reefs
- Knows the local fishermen and their customs
- Helps with the anchor, sails and dinghy
- Acts as your local guide and stays on board when you go ashore
You are still the skipper of your holiday. Want to relax completely? Add a skipper and a chef.
Weather & seasons
When to sail in Zanzibar
Zanzibar lies just south of the equator, so you can sail all year round. The seasons are the reverse of Europe's.
January – March
Southern summer
Sunny, hot and usually calm, with the highest temperatures of the year.
April – May
Long rains
Around 15 rainy days a month, so the weather is a bit of a lottery, but it is also the quietest and best-value time of year.
June – October
Southern winter
Rain is rare and temperatures are pleasant. A quieter time on the water.
November
Short rains
The "small rainy season". Showers are usually short, but the weather can change quickly.
December
Back to summer
Warm and increasingly sunny. Christmas and New Year are a popular time to sail.
In short
Sail all year round
In short, you can choose the season that matches your needs and budget.
Plan your trip
Practical essentials
Getting here
Fly to Zanzibar airport (ZNZ). Good connections include Ethiopian, KLM, Turkish Airlines, Air France, Condor, Kenya Airways, RwandAir and Oman Air.
Our base at Azam Marina is about 10 km from the airport; we arrange transfers on request.
Visa
Most visitors need a visa for Tanzania, which also covers Zanzibar. Apply online only via the official Tanzania eVisa portal.
Insurance
Foreign visitors must buy the government's mandatory inbound travel insurance – if Zanzibar is your first point of entry, via Visit Zanzibar. We also recommend trip cancellation insurance.
Time zone
East Africa Time (EAT), UTC+3, with no daylight saving time.
Food & provisioning
Supermarkets are limited, so plan your shopping before the charter. Fresh fish can be bought from local fishermen along the way.
Prefer not to think about it? Choose our Full Board option: three meals a day, snacks, fruit and drinks, with a menu based on your preferences.
Check-in & fees
Check-in from 5 pm, check-out by 9 am at Azam Marina. Fuel is charged after the charter based on use.
Some marine parks and protected areas charge entrance fees, which are not included in the charter price.
Your trip
Pick your kind of trip
A few hours on the water, a week on your own catamaran, a cabin on a crewed cruise or a safari on land – choose what suits you.
Day trips
Sunset, half-day or full-day catamaran trips to Mnemba, sandbanks and Menai Bay.
Discover →Week charters
A whole catamaran for your group – example routes, menu and an instant price.
Discover →Cabin cruises
Book your own cabin on a crewed 7-night cruise to Pemba.
Discover →Excursions, Safari & Diving
Safari, diving, Stone Town and more – on land and under water.
Discover →Our yachts
Catamarans operated and managed by Yachtsun Charter.
Discover →Ready to sail?
Plan your Zanzibar charter with us
Tell us your dates, group size and dream route – including a safari – and we'll put together your trip. All our contacts are on one page.