excursion overview
Wild dolphins off Zanzibar's south coast.
The waters off Kizimkazi, on Zanzibar's south coast, are home to resident pods of bottlenose and humpback dolphins, and a boat trip out to find them is one of the island's most popular half-day excursions. This tour combines an early-morning boat search for dolphins, with the option to snorkel alongside them where conditions allow, followed by a stop at a reef for further snorkeling before heading back to shore.
how the day unfolds
An early start gives the best chance of a sighting.
Dolphins are most active early in the day, so this tour starts before the heat sets in.
You're picked up early from your hotel and driven south to Kizimkazi, a fishing village known for its resident dolphin pods. From the jetty, your boat heads out along the coast where your captain and crew, drawing on years of local experience, search for bottlenose and humpback dolphins. When a pod is found, and conditions allow, you'll have the chance to slip into the water and snorkel alongside them at a respectful distance.
Dolphin behavior can't be scheduled, so time in the water with them varies day to day. Once the dolphin search winds down, the boat usually stops at a nearby reef for a further snorkeling session, giving you a good look at the coral and reef fish along this stretch of coast before heading back to Kizimkazi and your drive to the hotel.
what's included
Exactly what's covered — and what isn't.
- Hotel pickup & drop-off
- Boat trip from Kizimkazi
- Local boat captain & crew
- Snorkeling gear
- Reef snorkeling stop
- Meals & drinks
- Hotel accommodation
- Flights to and from Zanzibar
- Travel & medical insurance (required)
- Souvenirs & personal expenses
- Tips for your boat crew & driver
Good to know before booking
- Dolphin sightings and in-water encounters can't be guaranteed — these are wild animals, and your crew will always prioritize their welfare over guaranteeing a swim.
- Bring swimwear, a towel and reef-safe sunscreen; the early start means it's worth packing a light layer for the boat ride out.
- Basic swimming ability is recommended if you'd like to get in the water with the dolphins.
- A Tanzania e-Visa is required for most nationalities — apply at immigration.go.tz at least 3 weeks before travel.
pricing
What you'll pay — no hidden extras.
Placeholder price shown below — update to your actual rate before publishing.
| Option | Price per person | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dolphin Tour Half-day boat trip searching for wild dolphins, plus reef snorkeling | $75 | Per person, hotel pickup & drop-off included |
Ready to book your Dolphin Tour?
Tell us where you're staying and your preferred date, and we'll confirm availability and send a full quote.
frequently asked questions
Questions we get asked most often.
No — these are wild dolphins, and while sightings are common off Kizimkazi, they can't be guaranteed on any single trip.
When a pod is found and conditions allow, you'll have the chance to snorkel near them at a respectful distance. This depends on the dolphins' behavior on the day.
Dolphins tend to be most active, and the water calmest, earlier in the morning, so an early departure gives the best chance of a good sighting.
Yes, most trips include an additional snorkeling stop at a nearby reef after the dolphin search.
Related Tanzania Safari Tours you may like
Sunset Dhow Cruise — An Evening on the Water
Dolphin Tour — Kizimkazi Boat Excursion
Mnemba Snorkeling — Zanzibar’s Best Reef
Jozani Forest Tour — Red Colobus Monkeys & Mangroves
Safari Blue Tour — Dhow Sailing & Sandbank Lunch
Prison Island Tour — Giant Tortoises & Snorkeling
Spice Farm Tour — Walk the Spice Island
Stone Town Tour — Zanzibar’s Historic Old City
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