Tanzania · MNEMBA ISLAND TOURS

The 15 Best Mnemba Island Tours in Zanzibar

68 tours  ·  from $15

You snorkel the atoll’s edge, not the island, which is private. These 15 compare departure beaches, how early each boat leaves, whether dolphins are a stop or a promise, and what the gear and lunch actually cost.

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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Mnemba Island: Dolphin Swim & Snorkeling with Optional Lunch - Getting to Muyuni Beach and onto the boat
Dolphin Watching, Mnemba Island Tours, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews, Zanzibar Tours

Mnemba Island: Dolphin Swim & Snorkeling with Optional Lunch

2.Mnemba Island: Dolphin Swim & Snorkeling with Optional Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 591 reviews · 3.5 - 5 hours · from $21

Set out from Muyuni Beach, near Matemwe, for a half-day boat trip around Mnemba Island. You can watch or swim near wild dolphins, snorkel with tropical fish and turtles, then enjoy fruit and drinks. Guides such as Khamis, Ali, Ramadan, and Marco Polo are praised for keeping swimmers safe and helping with photos. Lunch and hotel pickup cost extra.

“We saw lots of dolphins but I didn’t like that the sandbank was full of people exploiting baby monkeys that were stolen from their mums for money. If you go please don’t pay these people for photos it only encourages more of this to happen.”

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Mnemba Island snorkeling and Swimming with Dolphin - Snorkeling at the Mnemba Marine Conservation Area
Dolphin Watching, Mnemba Island Tours, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews, Zanzibar Tours

Mnemba Island snorkeling and Swimming with Dolphin

3.Mnemba Island snorkeling and Swimming with Dolphin

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 412 reviews · from $55

Leave Mama Mia Beach or Zanzibar’s northern beaches for a small-group boat trip to dolphin waters, Mnemba’s coral gardens, and a sandbank that appears with the tide. Guides such as Hassan, Ludo, and Captain Barnaba focus on support and wildlife care. Pickup is offered, with snorkeling gear provided.

“Collected from the hotel on time. Collected a couple of other clients on the way to the first stop. Great scenery. Great snorkelling. Then followed the dolphins and was able to jump in and view them swimming with our snorkelling gear. Really well organised and friendly team. Thank you. 100% recommend.”

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Zanzibar: Mnemba Island Dolphin and Snorkeling Tour - Looking for dolphins in open water
Dolphin Watching, Mnemba Island Tours, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews, Zanzibar Tours

Zanzibar: Mnemba Island Dolphin and Snorkeling Tour

4.Mnemba Island Dolphin and Snorkeling Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 352 reviews · 4.5 - 6 hours · from $40

From Nungwi or Muyuni, you’ll boat toward Mnemba Atoll to look for bottlenose and humpback dolphins, snorkel with a guide, and stop at shallow water or a sandbank for fresh fruit. Rasheed is a frequently praised guide, though sea conditions, crowds, and dolphin behavior can shape the day.

“Had a brilliant day , didn’t see much of the Dolphins but that’s nature , the snorkelling and the rest of the day was fantastic, highly recommended”

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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

5.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: Mnemba Island, Prison Island and Salaam Cave Tour - Mnemba Atoll: dolphins, coral color, and shallow water
Cave Swimming, Mnemba Island Tours, Prison Island Tours, Tour Reviews, Zanzibar Tours

Zanzibar: Mnemba Island, Prison Island and Salaam Cave Tour

6.Mnemba Island, Prison Island and Salaam Cave Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 150 reviews · from $150

This private, full-day Zanzibar tour combines Mnemba Atoll snorkeling, dolphin watching, Prison Island’s giant tortoises, and a swim with sea turtles at Salaam Cave. Guides such as Regalo, Abdallah, and Mohammed add local insight, while private pickup, a driver, water, and gear keep the day simple. Lunch at The Rock Restaurant costs extra.

“It was a lovely day! Regalo, the guide, and Khalid, the driver have been fantastic the whole time and very professional. We had an intense and beautiful day in some of the most wonderful corners of Zanzibar. We first chased the dolphins, Regalo and the captain were so nice to spend as much as needed to ensure a wonderful view and swimming experience. Then we snorkled in Mnemba. Beautiful spot, wondrous colours. Then we moved to Salaam Cave to have a unique experience with sea turtles. God I'll never forget being surrounded by so many of them, what a blast! Then we visited Paje beach and The Rock and Regalo…”

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Zanzibar: Mnemba island Snorkeling & Boat Tour with Lunch - Leaving Zanzibar by van and boat
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Zanzibar: Mnemba island Snorkeling & Boat Tour with Lunch

7.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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Private Dolphin Tour and Snorkeling at Mnemba Island reef - A calm finish at the Mnemba sandbank
Dolphin Watching, Mnemba Island Tours, Private Tours, Private Tours in Zanzibar, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews, Zanzibar Tours

Private Dolphin Tour and Snorkeling at Mnemba Island reef

8.Private Dolphin Tour and Snorkeling at Mnemba Island reef

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 104 reviews · from $104

This three-hour private trip from Zanzibar combines dolphin spotting, snorkeling at Mnemba Island Reef, and a calm sandbank swim. Hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, boat transport, equipment, water, and fruit are included. Guides such as Ahmed and Msomali are praised for patience and personal attention, though timing and communication can vary.

“Excellent experience. Traveled with my mom who has some difficulty swimming. Ahmed and his staff were happy to help her snorkel and ensured we both enjoyed the beautiful underwater sea-life!”

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Snorkeling at Mnemba Atoll - Snorkeling Among Turtles and Lionfish
Mnemba Island Tours, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews, Zanzibar Tours

Snorkeling at Mnemba Atoll

9.Snorkeling at Mnemba Atoll

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 97 reviews · from $95

Cruise from Zanzibar’s northeast coast to Mnemba Atoll on a private boat, then snorkel among coral, turtles, moray eels, lionfish, and tropical fish. Mody or Hassan may guide your group, with hotel pickup, gear, bottled water, fruit, a seafood lunch, and about five hours on the schedule. Confirm lunch details before booking.

“We were picked up at our hotel and returned complimentary. The things the tour stayed they included were not there —bottled water, seafood lunch was picked up on the way and in a gunnysacks, 3 broken life jackets for 7 of us, old wooden boat with rusty ladder, taken tRead more”

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Mnemba from Kendwa & nungwi half day - Snorkeling among coral and fish
Half-Day, Mnemba Island Tours, Tour Reviews, Zanzibar Tours

Mnemba from Kendwa & nungwi half day

10.Mnemba from Kendwa & nungwi half day

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 94 reviews · from $45

Leave Nungwi or Kendwa at 8:30 by fiber boat for an open-ocean dolphin encounter, reef snorkeling, and a possible sandbank stop near Mnemba Island. Guides such as Juma, Fau, Isaac, and Tarzan assist in the water. Fruit, water, equipment, conservation fees, and boat transport are included before your return around 12:30.

“Very nice half day trip, seen dolphins and starfishes. Start and end near the hotel, nothing bad to say.”

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Mnemba dolphin & snorkel: from matemwe, pwani, kwingwa, Uroa - The morning pickup from Matemwe, Pwani, Kiwengwa, or Uroa
Dolphin Watching, Mnemba Island Tours, Tour Reviews, Zanzibar Tours

Mnemba dolphin & snorkel: from matemwe, pwani, kwingwa, Uroa

11.Mnemba dolphin & snorkel: from matemwe, pwani, kwingwa, Uroa

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 74 reviews · 4 hours · from $52

From Matemwe, Pwani, Kiwengwa, or Uroa, you’ll ride by van and boat to Mnemba’s waters for dolphin watching, snorkeling, and a possible sandbank stop at low tide. Guides such as Juma, Fau, Isaac, and Bakari help with swimming and photos. The group is limited to eight, with fruit and water included.

“Pick up time was exactly as mentioned. We had small group which was great! Our guide Isaac at the beginning explained what we gonna do. So first we went to see dolphins we got lucky to swim next to them 🐬 . Then we went snorkel🐠🪸 where we got fresh Zanzibar fruit 🥥🍍🍌🍉. Our guide told us story about the island. After that we were invited for seafood lunch which was yummy 😋 I do recommend 💯! 😉”

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Private/Sharing: Snorkeling with Dolphins Sandbank in Mnemba - Looking for dolphins on the route to Mnemba
Dolphin Watching, Mnemba Island Tours, Nakupenda Sandbank Tours, Private Tours, Private Tours in Zanzibar, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews, Zanzibar Tours

Private/Sharing: Snorkeling with Dolphins Sandbank in Mnemba

12.Private/Sharing: Snorkeling with Dolphins Sandbank in Mnemba

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · from $120Top rated

Set out from Kendwa at 9:00 a.m. on a traditional dhow to snorkel near Mnemba, watch for dolphins, enjoy a seafood and chicken BBQ, and stop at a low-tide sandbank. Crew members may include Matthias, Mbwana, Yusef, or Musa. Water, soft drinks, fruit, gear, and fees are included. The boat returns at sunset.

“We enjoyed our trip to Mnemba with Dream Dhow. We were picked up on time and we did the private tour, which we were glad we did. We booked directly with dream dhow through WhatsApp which was easy and efficient. The communication was good which is always iRead more”

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Mnemba Atoll - The boat ride and the search for dolphins
Mnemba Island Tours, Tour Reviews, Zanzibar Tours

Mnemba Atoll

13.Mnemba Atoll

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 51 reviews · from $85

Set out from Zanzibar City at 8:00 am for a roughly five-hour private trip to Mnemba Atoll. Your guide, often Ali or Ally, takes you by boat to snorkeling areas, possible bottlenose dolphin sightings, and a low-tide sandbank. Transfers, equipment, conservation fees, fruit, and soft drinks are included.

“Our guide Ally was very friendly, explained a lot about Zanzibar, the trip, what we’ll see, etc. We chased some dolphins with the other boats and had the opportunity to swim with them if we wanted to. Afterwards we headed for some snorkelRead more”

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Private Tour to Mnemba Island with Lunch - The boat trip around Mnemba
Mnemba Island Tours, Private Tours, Private Tours in Zanzibar, Tour Reviews, Zanzibar Tours

Private Tour to Mnemba Island with Lunch

14.Private Tour to Mnemba Island with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 50 reviews · from $115

Start at 8:00 am with hotel pickup and head toward Matemwe for a private boat trip around Mnemba. You will search for dolphins, snorkel with a guide, relax on a sandbank with fruit and soft drinks, then eat a seafood lunch by the shore. Musa is one guide named in the tour details.

“Lamentablemente muy mal. Estuvimos solos porque el guía que se presentó venía con otra familia que había cogido también guía privado y además no hablaba español. Fuimos solos en la barca a “ver” delfines. Imposible entre tantas barcRead more”

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FROM NUNGWI; MNEMBA SNORKELING AND DOLPHIN TOUR - Leaving Nungwi by boat
Dolphin Watching, Mnemba Island Tours, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews, Zanzibar Tours

FROM NUNGWI; MNEMBA SNORKELING AND DOLPHIN TOUR

15.From Nungwi; Mnemba Snorkeling AND Dolphin Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 49 reviews · 6 minutes - 6 hours · from $45

From Nungwi, you’ll take a boat toward Mnemba for reef snorkeling, a chance to see dolphins in the wild, fresh fruit, and time on a shallow-water sandbank. English, French, Italian, and German guides are available. Hotel pickup is optional, and private groups can be arranged.

“It was nice, didn't get to see the dolphins much, so many boats trying to catch the sight at least, it was a nice experience overall”

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New in Mnemba Island Tours

★ 4.5Mnemba Island Snorkeling and Swimming with DolphinsFrom $654 reviews
★ 5.0Mnemba Island Marine Safari Snorkeling and Dolphin WatchingFrom $1506 reviews
★ 5.0Mnemba Island, Nungwi Village & Sea Turtle ExperienceFrom $1508 reviews
★ 5.0Mnemba Island Snorkeling and Dolphin tourFrom $803 reviews
★ 4.0Full Day Private Mnemba Island + Turtles Aquarium & Kendwa BeachFrom $1046 reviews
★ 5.0Mnemba Private Snorkeling ExperienceFrom $1104 reviews
★ 5.0Mnemba Island with Lunch; Salaam Cave; Kuza Cave Tour; The RockFrom $1505 reviews
★ 4.0Mnemba Dolphin Tour, Cooking Class, Spice Tour, Horseback RidingFrom $2204 reviews
★ 4.0A Half Day Private Dolphins And Snorkeling Tour To Mnemba IslandFrom $839 reviews
★ 4.0Mnemba Snorkeling; Kuza Cave; Paje Beach; The Rock; Salaam CaveFrom $1306 reviews
★ 5.0Full-day Tour Mnemba Jozani Forest Kuza Cave Paje Beach The RockFrom $1409 reviews
★ 5.0Private Mnemba Island and Turtle Aquarium TourFrom $1903 reviews
★ 5.0Dolphin Tour & Snorkeling at Mnemba Island7 reviews
★ 4.5Mnemba Snorkeling, Dolphin and Baraka Natural AquariumFrom $7510 reviews
★ 5.0Early dolphin Tour and Snockling at mnemba and Turtle SanctuaryFrom $908 reviews

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