Day Trips
Safari Blue Full-Day Sailing & Snorkeling Dhow Cruise
Safari Blue operates out of Fumba on the south west coast and is the best known full day excursion on Zanzibar. It runs on traditional wooden dhows through the Menai Bay Conservation Area, a protected marine zone that holds the healthiest reef and the most reliable dolphin activity on this side of the island.
The day works through several stops. Reef snorkelling comes first, usually at two locations depending on tide and visibility. A sandbank stop follows, on a bar of white sand that only exists at lower tides and disappears entirely at high water, which is one reason departure times shift daily.
Lunch is on Kwale Island: grilled fish, lobster where available, rice, salads and a tropical fruit tasting laid out on the beach. Afterwards there is time to swim in the natural lagoon among the mangroves or walk to the ancient baobab on the island.
The return sail is under canvas if the wind allows, which is the best part of the day. Bottlenose and humpback dolphin are seen on many trips in the bay, though as with all wild sightings this cannot be guaranteed.
Planning your trip
Practical planning. This is a single day programme, so the whole experience depends on an early start and on weather conditions holding through the middle of the day. We quote fees at the tariff period current at the time of booking, since park, conservation and crater charges are revised periodically and are a significant share of the total cost. Yellow fever certification is required if you are arriving from or transiting a country with risk of transmission, and travel insurance covering medical evacuation is a condition of travel on all our programmes.
Season. June to October is the classic dry season, when vegetation thins, water sources concentrate wildlife and roads are at their most reliable. December to March brings green landscapes, calving on the southern plains and lower rates. April and May are the long rains, when some tracks become difficult and a number of seasonal camps close.
In the parks. Stay in the vehicle unless your guide confirms a stop is authorised, keep noise low near wildlife, never feed animals and take all rubbish out with you. Off-road driving, drones and unsupervised walking are prohibited or restricted across the national parks and conservation areas. These rules exist because visitor pressure is the main long-term threat to the places you have come to see.
Where this trip goes
Read the full destination guides for every protected area covered by this itinerary before you travel. Each one sets out habitat, seasonality, access and the managing authority in detail.
Compare similar packages
If the length, pace or budget of this itinerary is not quite right, these alternatives cover comparable ground:
- Mnemba Atoll Dolphin & Snorkeling Excursion
- Sunset Dhow Cruise in Nungwi / Kendwa
- 12-Day Bush to Beach Safari (Northern Circuit + Zanzibar)
- Half-Day Stone Town Historical Walking Tour
You can also browse the full package catalogue or the destination directory to build a custom itinerary with us.
Highlights
- Traditional wooden dhow through the Menai Bay Conservation Area
- Snorkelling at two reef sites depending on conditions
- Sandbank stop, tide permitting
- Grilled seafood lunch and fruit tasting on Kwale Island
- Mangrove lagoon swim and the ancient Kwale baobab
Trip itinerary
Day 1: Full day dhow cruise in Menai Bay
Collection from your hotel in the morning, with the exact time set by the tide, and transfer to Fumba on the south west coast.
Board a traditional dhow and sail into Menai Bay, stopping to snorkel at one or two reef sites. Dolphin are frequently encountered in the bay during the sail.
A sandbank stop follows where the tide exposes one, then lunch on Kwale Island: grilled fish and seafood, rice, salads and a tropical fruit tasting on the beach.
The afternoon allows swimming in the mangrove lagoon and a short walk to the island鈥檚 ancient baobab, before sailing back to Fumba and the transfer to your hotel in the late afternoon.
Included
- Return transfer from most Zanzibar hotels
- Full day traditional dhow sailing with crew
- Snorkelling equipment and guide
- Grilled seafood lunch, tropical fruit tasting and soft drinks
- Menai Bay conservation fees
Excluded
- Alcoholic drinks beyond those provided
- Tips for the crew and guides
- Travel insurance
- Personal purchases
Accommodation
A day excursion with no accommodation. Departures are from Fumba on the south west coast, so transfers from Stone Town take around 45 minutes and from the north or east coast 90 minutes or more.
It is one of the standard inclusions in our multi-day Zanzibar packages, and guests staying in the south west of the island have the shortest journey to the departure point.
FAQs
Why does the departure time change?
Tides. The sandbank only exists at lower water and the dhows need sufficient depth to leave and return. Any operator advertising a fixed daily start time has not checked the tide table.
Will I see dolphins?
Frequently but not always. Bottlenose and humpback dolphin are resident in Menai Bay and are seen on a good proportion of trips. Nobody can promise a sighting, and boats are expected to keep a respectful distance when they do occur.
Is it suitable for non-swimmers and children?
Yes. Life jackets are provided, snorkelling is optional, and the sandbank and lunch stops are shallow and calm. Children from around six upwards generally enjoy the full day; younger than that, the length can be tiring.
What should I bring?
Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, a towel, a change of clothes and a waterproof bag for your phone. Shade on the dhow is limited and the sun on the water is stronger than it feels.
Will I see the big five on this trip?
Lion, elephant, buffalo and leopard are all realistically possible on the northern circuit, and rhino are seen in the Ngorongoro Crater with reasonable frequency though usually at distance. No operator can guarantee sightings of wild animals and we will not pretend otherwise.
Is a private vehicle included?
Road-based itineraries use a private 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, exclusively for your party, with a guaranteed window seat. Fly-in itineraries use camp-based vehicles shared with a small number of other guests, and a private vehicle can be added at extra cost.
What should I pack for a safari?
Neutral coloured layers, a warm fleece for early morning game drives, sun protection, binoculars and a camera with more storage than you expect to need. Soft-sided bags are required on any itinerary involving light aircraft, where the limit is typically 15 kilograms.
How much should I budget for tips?
Guidance rather than obligation: around 20 to 30 US dollars per vehicle per day for the driver-guide, and 5 to 10 dollars per guest per day for camp staff, pooled. We will give you a specific breakdown for your itinerary before departure.
How far in advance should I book Safari Blue Full-Day Sailing & Snorkeling Dhow Cruise?
For peak months, meaning July to October and the Christmas and New Year period, six to twelve months ahead. Camps and mountain permits in those windows genuinely sell out. For green season travel, two to three months is usually sufficient.
Can this itinerary be customised?
Yes. Every itinerary we publish is a starting point. Days can be added or removed, accommodation tiers changed, internal flights substituted for road transfers, and extensions to Zanzibar or the southern parks attached. Tell us the constraint and we will build around it.