1-Day Safari Blue, Zanzibar
From $210 / person (solo traveller)
What Will You Do on Safari Blue?
Traditional Dhow Sailing
A full day on a wooden sailing dhow across Menai Bay
Two Snorkelling Stops
Guided reef snorkels with tropical fish and, with luck, sea turtles
Dolphin Watching
Spinner and bottlenose dolphins live in the bay; sightings are common but not guaranteed
Sandbank Seafood Lunch
Grilled fish, calamari and octopus, with lobster in season
Sandbank Swimming
Shallow, warm water around a sandbank exposed at low tide
Gear Included
Mask, snorkel, fins and life jacket for every guest
How Much Does Safari Blue Cost?
Price Per Person by Group Size
Full-day excursion, no overnight stay · Pick-up from about 7:00 AM
| Group Size | 1 Person | 2 People | 3 People | 4 People | 5+ People |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price per person | $210 | $150 | $130 | $120 | $120Lowest rate |
Transport and boat costs are shared, so the price per person falls as your group grows. Prices cover everything under Includes; there is no overnight stay.
What Does Safari Blue Include and Who Is It For?
Safari Blue is a full-day sailing and snorkelling trip in the Menai Bay Conservation Area on Zanzibar's south-west coast. You board a traditional wooden dhow at Fumba, snorkel two reefs with a guide, have a seafood lunch on a sandbank and look for dolphins, returning in the late afternoon. Transfers, snorkelling gear, lunch and soft drinks are included.
It suits almost everyone: confident snorkellers, families with children, couples and non-swimmers, who can float with a life jacket and stand on the shallow sandbanks. It is a long day in the sun and on the water, so it is less suitable for travellers prone to severe seasickness or with very limited mobility.
Safari Blue is one of our four Zanzibar day tours. To combine it with beach time, see the 2-day Safari Blue & beach package.
| Departure Point | Fumba Village harbour (transfers from all areas) |
| Departure Time | Pick-up from about 7:00 AM; dhow departs Fumba around 7:45 AM |
| Group Size | Small group on a traditional dhow · up to 12 guests |
| Languages | English and Swahili-speaking guide and crew |
| Includes |
|
| Excludes |
|
What Happens on the Day? Safari Blue Itinerary
The day follows the tides and the wind, so times are approximate. Expect about 10 hours door to door, most of it on or in the water.
-
7:00–7:45 AM · Hotel Pick-Up
Your driver collects you between about 7:00 and 7:45 AM, depending on where you are staying, for the drive to Fumba on the south-west coast.
-
Morning · Sail into Menai Bay and First Snorkel
Board the dhow at Fumba and sail into the Menai Bay Conservation Area. At the first reef your guide hands out masks, fins and life jackets and leads the snorkel. Look for parrotfish, angelfish, surgeonfish and, with good visibility, sea turtles.
-
Midday · Sandbank and Seafood Lunch
The dhow anchors at a sandbank exposed by the falling tide. The crew grill fish, calamari and octopus (with lobster in season), served with rice, salads, tropical fruit and soft drinks. Afterwards there is free time to swim and relax.
-
Afternoon · Dolphin Watch and Second Snorkel
In the afternoon the crew look for the bay's spinner and bottlenose dolphins, then stop at a second reef for another snorkel. Sightings depend on the dolphins' movements on the day.
-
Late Afternoon · Return to Fumba and Your Hotel
The dhow sails back to Fumba as the light softens, and transfers take you back to your accommodation, usually between 5:00 and 6:00 PM.
What Is Menai Bay Like?
Menai Bay Conservation Area covers the south-west coast of Unguja and its offshore islands, sandbanks, mangroves and coral reefs. It was set up to protect the reefs and the local fishing communities that depend on them, and it is one of the main areas in Zanzibar for watching dolphins from a boat.
What You May See
- Hard and soft corals with parrotfish, angelfish, butterflyfish and surgeonfish
- Sea stars and sea cucumbers in the shallows around the sandbanks
- Spinner and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, which live in the bay
- Green sea turtles on some snorkels, when visibility is good
- Mangrove-fringed islets, including Kwale Island, known for its lagoon and a large baobab
Snorkel and Watch Wildlife Responsibly
- Don't stand on, touch or collect coral, shells or sea stars
- Use reef-safe sunscreen and keep a little distance from turtles
- Stay quiet and let the crew keep a respectful distance from dolphins; boats should never chase them
What Should You Bring for Safari Blue?
Wear swimwear under light clothing and bring sun protection; everything else, including snorkelling gear, lunch and drinks, is provided. The dhow has a shaded area, but you are outdoors and on the water all day.
- Swimwear, a towel and a change of clothes
- Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses
- A rash vest or light long-sleeved top to avoid sunburn while snorkelling
- A dry bag or waterproof phone pouch
- Seasickness tablets if you are prone to motion sickness
- Cash for drinks on board and tips for the crew
When Is the Best Time for Safari Blue?
Safari Blue runs all year. Sea conditions are generally best in the drier months, while during the long rains (roughly April and May) showers and wind can make the sea choppier, and trips are occasionally rescheduled for safety. Morning departures usually give the calmest water of the day.
Water temperatures stay warm year-round, so a wetsuit isn't needed. If you are planning beach days around the trip, our Zanzibar beach guide explains which coast suits each season.
How Does Safari Blue Compare with Other Zanzibar Day Tours?
Choose Safari Blue for a day on the ocean. If you would rather see Stone Town or wildlife on land, one of our other day tours may suit you better.
| Day tour | Main stops | Best for | Price per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safari Blue (this tour) | Dhow sailing, snorkelling, sandbank seafood lunch | Ocean and snorkelling | $120–$210 |
| Stone Town & Spice Farm | Stone Town walking tour, spice farm | Culture and food | $85–$175 |
| Stone Town & Prison Island | Stone Town walking tour, giant tortoises | History plus wildlife | $100–$190 |
| Prison Island & Jozani | Giant tortoises, red colobus monkeys, mangroves | Wildlife lovers, families | $110–$200 |
Lower prices apply to groups of four or more; the higher figure is for a solo traveller. Longer trips built around Safari Blue: the 3-day Safari Blue & Kendwa, 4-day and 5-day packages.
Safari Blue: Frequently Asked Questions
It is a full day of about 10 hours including transfers. Pick-up starts from about 7:00 AM, the dhow leaves Fumba around 7:45 AM, and you are usually back at your hotel between 5:00 and 6:00 PM.
No. Non-swimmers are welcome: everyone receives a life jacket, the water is calm and warm, and the sandbanks are shallow enough to stand on. Many non-swimmers float with a mask and still see coral and fish clearly. Tell us when booking so the guide can stay close.
No. Menai Bay has spinner and bottlenose dolphins, and sightings are common, but wild animals can never be guaranteed. The crew look for them during the day and keep a respectful distance when they are found.
Hotel transfers from anywhere in Zanzibar, the full day on a traditional dhow with crew and guide, snorkelling equipment and life jackets, a seafood lunch with fruit, and soft drinks and water. Alcoholic drinks and tips are extra.
From Fumba, a village on Zanzibar's south-west coast at the edge of the Menai Bay Conservation Area. Transfers from Stone Town are shortest; from the north or east coast allow more time in the morning.
Swimwear under light clothing, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and a dry bag for your phone. The dhow has a shaded area, and food, drinks and snorkelling gear are provided.
Yes. Families with children enjoy the sandbank, the shallow swimming and the chance to see dolphins. Life jackets are provided for everyone; please tell us children's ages when booking.
Safari Blue runs year-round. If the sea is genuinely unsafe, the trip is rescheduled or an equivalent land excursion is arranged at no extra charge.
It runs as a small group on a traditional dhow with up to 12 guests. If you would like the boat to yourselves, ask us about a private trip when you enquire.
Cancellations made more than 7 days before the tour date receive a full refund. Cancellations within 7 days may incur a partial fee, depending on bookings already made on your behalf. We recommend travel insurance.