Tanzania · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS

Boat Trips in Tanzania: The 15 Best Days Afloat

40 tours  ·  from $18

Nearly all of these are Zanzibar water: reef boats, dhows and sandbank runs. These 15 are compared on sailing time, group size, what lunch really is, and how the wind season affects each one.

From Kendwa: Mnemba Boat Trip and Dolphin Snorkel Adventure - Looking for dolphins without turning the sea into a race
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Mnemba Island Tours, Tour Reviews, Zanzibar Tours

From Kendwa: Mnemba Boat Trip and Dolphin Snorkel Adventure

1.From Kendwa: Mnemba Boat Trip and Dolphin Snorkel Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,043 reviews · 4 hours · from $50Our pick

Join Captbarnabatours at Mama Mia Restaurant for a four-hour boat trip from Kendwa or Nungwi. Guides such as Hassan, Hamis, Ludo, and Abra search for dolphins without chasing them, then lead you around Mnemba’s reef before a fruit stop at the disappearing sandbank. Snorkeling gear, drinks, conservation fees, and hotel-beach drop-off are included.

“It was an awesome experience. The guide was great and let us enjoy to swim with dolphins a few times. We could see lots of dolphins and swim together. Snorkeling was good. The guide served lots of fresh fruits on the tine beautiful beach. Meeting up at mama Mia restaurant was a little difficult to find, but the staffs were wearing the uniform shirts with company name so I could feel relieved .”

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Zanzibar: Prison Island and Nakupenda Boat Trip with Lunch - Setting off from Stone Town
Cruises & Boat Tours, Nakupenda Sandbank Tours, Prison Island Tours, Tour Reviews, Zanzibar Tours

Zanzibar: Prison Island and Nakupenda Boat Trip with Lunch

2.Prison Island and Nakupenda Boat Trip with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 882 reviews · 6 - 9 hours · from $39

Spend 6 to 9 hours boating from Stone Town to Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank. Explore old prison cells, see giant Aldabra tortoises, swim or snorkel, and eat a fresh seafood barbecue with fruit. Guides such as Milano, Abdul, Juma, and Sanghi are known for friendly service and lively local stories.

“Abdul our guide and all the staff made it a very memorable trip and experience. They deserve a bonus.”

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Zanzibar: Prison Island & Nakupenda Boat Tour with BBQ Lunch - Prison Island’s tortoises and old prison ruins
BBQ, Cruises & Boat Tours, Nakupenda Sandbank Tours, Prison Island Tours, Tour Reviews, Zanzibar Tours

Zanzibar: Prison Island & Nakupenda Boat Tour with BBQ Lunch

3.Prison Island & Nakupenda Boat Tour with BBQ Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 554 reviews · 3 - 8 hours · from $35

Join guides such as Salim or Bahama for a dhow trip from Stone Town to Changuu Island, where you’ll see giant Aldabra tortoises and old prison ruins. Then spend several hours at Nakupenda Sandbank swimming, snorkeling, and eating a fresh BBQ lunch. Groups can be private, and vegetarian or chicken meals are available if arranged ahead.

“Overall it was an enjoyable experience. The fruits were delicious. The food was enough (some traditional dishes and sea food with fries). The tour itself, I consider, it could have been more informative. The staff was very helpful.”

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Matemwe: Mnemba Island Dolphin & Snorkeling Boat Trip - Meeting at Matemwe and getting onto the boat
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Mnemba Island Tours, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews, Zanzibar Tours

Matemwe: Mnemba Island Dolphin & Snorkeling Boat Trip

4.Mnemba Island Dolphin & Snorkeling Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 152 reviews · 4 - 5 hours · from $35

From Matemwe, join a shared boat trip to Mnemba Island for dolphin watching, swimming, a sandbar stop, and snorkeling over coral and tropical fish. Guides such as Lava Lava, Abdul, Nasor, and Lil Nasr are praised for friendly service and help with photos. Expect a 4 to 5 hour outing, $35 plus a $10 island fee, and possible choppy seas.

“i loved the bright blue seas and the beautifull corals. got the opportunity to swim with dolphins and my guide called lavalava, was amazing and made sure i had a perfect experience”

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Zanzibar: Sunset Dhow Cruise - What the 2.5-hour route actually offers
Cruises & Boat Tours, Sunset Dhow Cruises, Tour Reviews, Zanzibar Tours

Zanzibar: Sunset Dhow Cruise

5.Sunset Dhow Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 141 reviews · 3 - 4 hours · from $19Best value

Cruise from Kendwa Beach aboard a traditional wooden dhow as the sun drops over Zanzibar’s coast. You’ll get hotel pickup, fruit, snacks, water, English-speaking support, and live local music, with time to swim if conditions allow. Guides such as Rasheed, Souleymane, and Fazhil have earned praise for friendly service, while boarding may require wading through waist-deep water.

“Had to reschedule and tour guide made sure to keep my spot. Drummers 10/10, good vibes. Some drinks, fruits provided”

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Zanzibar: Mnemba island Snorkeling & Boat Tour with Lunch - Leaving Zanzibar by van and boat
Cruises & Boat Tours, Mnemba Island Tours, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews, Zanzibar Tours

Zanzibar: Mnemba island Snorkeling & Boat Tour with Lunch

6.Mnemba island Snorkeling & Boat Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 132 reviews · 6 hours · from $47

You’ll leave your Zanzibar hotel for Mnemba Island with a driver, captain, and English-speaking snorkel instructor. You cannot enter the private island, but you can swim near its reefs, look for colorful fish and coral, and enjoy fresh fruit and an optional seafood lunch. Guides such as Abdul, Hassan, Tom, and Lava Lava have earned warm praise.

“Overall, we enjoyed the outing. It was fun and good value for money. A few things, though: Getting back into the boat from the water was VERY difficult for some of us. They really need a better ladder! Although our guide was friendly and eager, his English was poor. It was difficult to communicate and get relevant information.”

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Sunset party cruise in Zanzibar with BoomBoom Boat - Starting at The Z Hotel in Nungwi
Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, Zanzibar Tours

Sunset party cruise in Zanzibar with BoomBoom Boat

7.Sunset party cruise in Zanzibar with BoomBoom Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 76 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $25

Join BoomBoom Boat from The Z Hotel in Nungwi for a 3.5-hour evening cruise along Nungwi and Kendwa. Expect a DJ-style sound system, disco lights, an MC, a 25-minute ocean swim, fruit, and a bar selling alcohol. It suits adults and older teens who want a social party on the water, not a quiet sailing trip.

“Loved it! Great fun but chilled party vibes. Met some great people too! Music was awesome!”

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From Nungwi : Mnemba Boat Trip and Dolphin Snorkel Adventure - The dolphin stop: exciting, but not fully predictable
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Mnemba Island Tours, Tour Reviews, Zanzibar Tours

From Nungwi : Mnemba Boat Trip and Dolphin Snorkel Adventure

8.From Nungwi : Mnemba Boat Trip and Dolphin Snorkel Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 39 reviews · 4 hours · from $50

Meet at Kulinarium or near Riu Jambo for a four-hour boat trip from Nungwi or Kendwa. You will look for dolphins, snorkel above Mnemba’s coral reefs, and visit a sandbank if the tide allows. English-speaking guides provide gear, fruit, soft drinks, life jackets, and conservation fees.

“Buona escursione, buon itinerario, mare stupendo, guida ottima! Da migliorare l'organizzazione al punto pick-up dato che abbiamo aspettato 25 minuti prima che si presentasse qualcuno, oltre ad un ulteriore ritardo causato da altri ospiti. A parte questo l'escursione è andata bene!”

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Zanzibar: Nungwi Sunset Dhow Cruise - What the dhow ride feels like
Cruises & Boat Tours, Sunset Dhow Cruises, Tour Reviews, Zanzibar Tours

Zanzibar: Nungwi Sunset Dhow Cruise

9.Nungwi Sunset Dhow Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 39 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $19

Sail from Nungwi or Kendwa on the traditional dhow Kilimanjaro during a 2.5-hour sunset trip. You’ll get hotel transport in the Nungwi area, tropical fruit, sparkling drinks, Indian Ocean views, and live drumming and dancing. Swimming may be possible near the end, but boat capacity and pickup timing can vary.

“lo consiglio anche se x il pick uo dicevano che dovevo andare alla spiaggia di Nungwi ma poi hanno fatto una sosta per il pick up per altre 2 coppie che sono solite dal pezzo di spiaggia dove c'è il mio hotel e quindi un po disorganizzato in questo senso perché non era a conoscenza del fatto che qualcun altro la mattina stessa aveva venduto 2 biglietti per queste coppie che poi sono salite dall spiaggia dove ero io in pratica e saremmo potute salire anche noi quando si è fermato lì ma alla fine ho capito che neanche lui lo sapeva e quindi amen. la frutta molto buona. c'è…”

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Full-Day Blue Lagoon and Sandbank Boat Tour from Zanzibar ( Safari blue) - Sandbank time and Niamembe Island
Cruises & Boat Tours, Full-Day, Nakupenda Sandbank Tours, Safari Blue Trips, Tour Reviews, Zanzibar Tours

Full-Day Blue Lagoon and Sandbank Boat Tour from Zanzibar ( Safari blue)

10.Full-Day Blue Lagoon and Sandbank Boat Tour from Zanzibar ( Safari blue)

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 35 reviews · from $100

Spend about eight hours exploring Kwale Island, Niamembe Island, a tropical sandbank, and the Blue Lagoon from Zanzibar. You’ll travel by traditional dhow, snorkel with provided gear, eat seafood with fruit, soda, water, and local beer, and have a guide such as Amina, Abas, or Sunnia to help throughout the day.

“Great Safari Blue tour, started with sand bank stop with juicy fresh fruit, snorkelling stop, a wonderful and plentiful seafood lunch and time for a final dip in the lagoon. Abas stayed with me throughout and was a fantastic guide again, attRead more”

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Zanzibar: Maasai village Tour with Sunset Dhow Cruise - What makes the village visit worthwhile
Cruises & Boat Tours, Cultural Tours, Cultural Tours in Zanzibar, Maasai Village Tours, Sunset Dhow Cruises, Tour Reviews, Zanzibar Tours

Zanzibar: Maasai village Tour with Sunset Dhow Cruise

11.Maasai village Tour with Sunset Dhow Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 32 reviews · 3 - 5.5 hours · from $52

You’ll visit Maasai World Village with an English-speaking guide, learn about Maasai customs, wear traditional clothing, and watch a cultural dance. Then board a local dhow for sunset, fruit, and a possible swim. Pickup is available from several northern Zanzibar hotels. The village visit is private, but the cruise is shared.

“Prywatna taksówka do wioski Masajów, sympatyczny masajski przewodnik, ciekawie przedstawione życie i zwyczaje Masajów. Rejs łodzią o zachodzie słońca trochę mniej mi się podobał, zbyt dużo ludzi zapakowanych na jedną łódź.”

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Zanzibar: Private Sail to Pungume Sandbank with BBQ Lunch - Looking for dolphins near Kizimkazi
BBQ, Cruises & Boat Tours, Nakupenda Sandbank Tours, Private Tours, Private Tours in Zanzibar, Tour Reviews, Zanzibar Tours

Zanzibar: Private Sail to Pungume Sandbank with BBQ Lunch

12.Private Sail to Pungume Sandbank with BBQ Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 28 reviews · 4 - 6 hours · from $85

From your Zanzibar hotel, drive toward Kizimkazi and board a private boat for dolphin spotting near Pungume. Then swim, snorkel, and relax on the sandbank before a seafood BBQ lunch. Guides such as Abdul and Iddi have led friendly, informative outings, but dolphin sightings and lunch location can vary.

“Superbe activité, le guide était savant. Il connaissait la biodiversité, l’histoire du pays… la croisière était calme privée et surtout plaisante. Merci beaucoup à notre guide.”

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Stone Town: Sunset Dhow Cruise Experience - The sunset is the main attraction
Cruises & Boat Tours, Stone Town Tours, Sunset Dhow Cruises, Tour Reviews, Zanzibar Tours

Stone Town: Sunset Dhow Cruise Experience

13.Sunset Dhow Cruise Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 22 reviews · from $39

Sail from Stone Town on a shared traditional Arabian dhow as the sun drops over the Indian Ocean. You’ll see the waterfront from the sea, pass landmarks such as the House of Wonders and Old Dispensary, and enjoy local snacks, soft drinks, and traditional music. The cruise costs $39 per person and returns to the Palace Museum meeting point.

“Really enjoyable time, but it lasted about 1 hour and 20 minutes, not 2 hours as advertised”

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3 Days Nyerere NP [Selous GR] Game, Walking and Boat - Day 1: The long road from Dar to the Rufiji River
3-Day Experiences, Cruises & Boat Tours, Nyerere and Selous Tours, Tour Reviews, Walking Tours

3 Days Nyerere NP [Selous GR] Game, Walking and Boat

14.3 Days Nyerere NP [Selous GR] Game, Walking and Boat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · from $750Top rated

This private 3-day safari links Dar es Salaam with Nyerere National Park, formerly Selous Game Reserve. You travel by road with a professional guide, cruise the Rufiji River at sunset, spend a full day looking for elephants, lions, hippos, wild dogs, and birds, then walk with a bushman before returning to Dar. Pickup and drop-off are included.

“Fantastic experience! The guys picked us up at our hotel and took us to the airport.”

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Catamaran Sunset Cruise in Stone Town - A catamaran built for comfort
Cruises & Boat Tours, Sailing, Stone Town Tours, Sunset Dhow Cruises, Tour Reviews, Zanzibar Tours

Catamaran Sunset Cruise in Stone Town

15.Catamaran Sunset Cruise in Stone Town

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · from $100

Set out from Stone Town at 3:30 pm on a catamaran for a three-hour sunset sail along Zanzibar’s coast. Expect snacks, beer, wine, soft drinks, water, music, snorkeling gear, indoor and outdoor seating, and a crew that may include Lorne, Kiwi, Bakari, or Hussam. Private transport is not included.

“Everything was just perfect, from the communication to the welcoming and attentive crew and spotless catamaran.”

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New in Cruises & Boat Tours

★ 5.0Zanzibar boat rental/charters6 reviews
★ 4.0Zanzibar Sunset CruiseFrom $26010 reviews
★ 5.0The Rock Restaurant by Speed Boat3 reviews
★ 5.0Private Catamaran – Stone Town Islands & Sandbanks (8 hrs)13 reviews
★ 5.0Baraka Aquarium and Dolphin Sightseeing with Sunset CruiseFrom $1154 reviews
★ 5.0Private Catamaran – Stone Town Islands & Sandbanks (5 hrs)10 reviews
★ 4.5Zanzibar Dhow Cruise day adventure, sea sports at Kwale Island, very memorableFrom $13512 reviews
★ 4.0Private Sunset Dhow Cruise in Stone Town ZanzibarFrom $8910 reviews
★ 4.5Dolphin and Turtle Tour with Sunset Cruise at Nungwi BeachFrom $1007 reviews
★ 5.03 Days Explore Selous Game Reserve + Boat safari + bushman walkingFrom $8005 reviews
★ 5.03-Day at Dar es Salaam To Selous GR (Nyerere NP) Game, Boat & Walking SafariFrom $7704 reviews
★ 5.03-Days Private Nyerere NP Game Drive and Boat safari tourFrom $1,8275 reviews
★ 4.7sunset dow cruise at kendwa beachFrom $503 reviews
★ 4.4Traditional Dhow Sunset CruiseFrom $1005 reviews
★ 5.0Sunset Dhow Cruise in Stone townFrom $624 reviews

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Mnemba Island Tours68Snorkeling44Dolphin Watching56Sea Turtle Swimming34Sunset Dhow Cruises22Safari Blue Trips19Cave Swimming51
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