excursion overview
A full day sailing Menai Bay's marine-protected waters.
Safari Blue is Zanzibar's best-known full-day boat excursion: a relaxed sail aboard a traditional wooden dhow through the Menai Bay Conservation Area, with snorkeling over coral reefs, a good chance of spotting dolphins, and a fresh seafood lunch served on a sandbank at low tide. It's a long, unhurried day on the water, well suited to travelers who want to slow down and swim rather than tick off sights.
how the day unfolds
A long, easy day on the water.
The pace is unhurried — sailing, snorkeling and swimming, with lunch on a sandbank in the middle of the day.
You're picked up early and driven south to Fumba, where the dhow is waiting. From there it's a relaxed sail through Menai Bay's marine-protected waters, with your crew keeping an eye out for the bottlenose and humpback dolphins that are often spotted in the area. The first stop is usually a reef for snorkeling, with masks, fins and guidance provided for those who want it.
At low tide, the dhow anchors near a sandbank, where the crew sets up a fresh seafood lunch — grilled fish, prawns, rice and salads are typical, with vegetarian options available on request. There's time to swim, wade in the shallow water, or simply relax before sailing back to Fumba in the late afternoon, where your driver is waiting to return you to your hotel.
what's included
Exactly what's covered — and what isn't.
- Hotel pickup & drop-off
- Full-day dhow sailing tour
- Snorkeling gear
- Fresh seafood lunch on the sandbank
- Menai Bay Conservation Area fees
- English-speaking crew
- Alcoholic & bottled soft drinks
- Hotel accommodation
- Flights to and from Zanzibar
- Travel & medical insurance (required)
- Souvenirs & personal expenses
- Tips for your crew & driver
Good to know before booking
- This is a long day — typically 7–8 hours including transport — so bring what you need for a full day on the water.
- Bring swimwear, a towel, a hat and reef-safe sunscreen; there's limited shade on the dhow.
- Dolphin sightings are common but never guaranteed — they're wild animals on their own schedule.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Safari Blue Tour Full-day dhow sail, snorkeling & sandbank seafood lunch | $80 | Per person, hotel pickup & drop-off included |
Ready to book your Safari Blue 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 — dolphins are wild and sightings can't be guaranteed, though they're spotted on a good number of trips through Menai Bay.
Yes, snorkeling and swimming are optional, and there's always time to simply relax on the dhow or the sandbank instead.
A fresh seafood lunch is served on the sandbank, typically grilled fish, prawns, rice and salads. Vegetarian options are available if you let us know in advance.
Including hotel transfers, expect to be out for around 7–8 hours, roughly 7:30am to mid-afternoon.
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
Speak with a safari specialist.
Planning your Tanzania safari? Our specialists are ready to help you choose the right parks, destinations, and itinerary for your wildlife adventure. Get clear, reliable advice in real time, no waiting.
