Tanzania · SEA TURTLE SWIMMING

The 15 Best Turtle Swims in Zanzibar

34 tours  ·  from $20

Two very different things are sold under one name: the tidal pools at Nungwi and the Kizimkazi cave. The 15 below separate them, with prices, how long you are in the water and what the conservation fee pays for.

Zanzibar: Sea Turtle Swim at Salam Cave in Kizimkazi Village - The drive to Kizimkazi can be part of the experience
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Zanzibar: Sea Turtle Swim at Salam Cave in Kizimkazi Village

1.Sea Turtle Swim at Salam Cave in Kizimkazi Village

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 368 reviews · 2 - 4 hours · from $50Our pick

Travel to Salam Cave in Kizimkazi Village for a close swim with cared-for sea turtles in clear cave water. Your guide handles transport, entry, seaweed feeding, and local stories along the way. Early morning visits are quieter, while the cave staff can help with photos. Expect steep steps, close contact with turtles, and a 2 to 4 hour outing.

“Great service. The guide/driver was very nice. He gave a lot information about the island and the places we drove by. The activity it self was wonderful. Nice spot en a lot of turtles.”

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Zanzibar: Nungwi Turtle Aquarium Guided Half-Day Trip - What the guided visit teaches you
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Zanzibar: Nungwi Turtle Aquarium Guided Half-Day Trip

2.Nungwi Turtle Aquarium Guided Half-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 197 reviews · 2.5 - 5 hours · from $22Best value

Ride from your Zanzibar hotel to Nungwi for a guided visit to a natural tidal pool where rescued green turtles are fed and rehabilitated. You can swim with them, buy seaweed from their caretakers, and learn about fishing nets, baby turtles, and pollution. The trip may include Kendwa Beach, with private transfers and an English-speaking guide.

“it was great. the guide knew his way around very well and took us also to visit a village before we went to see the turtles. we can recommend the tour”

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SWIMMING WITH TURTLES AT SALAAM CAVE AT KIZIMKAZI ZANZIBAR - The three-hour plan, step by step
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SWIMMING WITH TURTLES AT SALAAM CAVE AT KIZIMKAZI ZANZIBAR

3.Swimming With Turtles AT Salaam Cave AT Kizimkazi Zanzibar

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 112 reviews · 3 hours · from $50

Meet your guide at your hotel, then head to Salaam Cave in Kizimkazi for a close look at rescued sea turtles. You can swim in the clear pool, feed the turtles seaweed, take photos, and hear about their care. The advertised visit lasts two hours, though some guests spend closer to 45 to 60 minutes inside.

“Loved seeing and swimming with the turtles in the cave. Wasn’t overcrowded at all, only four other people there at the same time. The only thing I’d say is it was not three hours; we had maybe 45 minutes in the cave and did feel as though we were being waited on to get out; however, that was plenty of time as it is a small area.”

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Zanzibar: North Coast and Turtle Sanctuary Tour - Seeing how a dhow is made
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Zanzibar: North Coast and Turtle Sanctuary Tour

4.North Coast and Turtle Sanctuary Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 90 reviews · 6 hours · from $112

Travel from your Zanzibar hotel to Nungwi for a look at traditional dhow building, a local lunch with one drink, and time at a turtle sanctuary. You can feed and swim with turtles in the natural aquarium. Guides such as Juma, Ahmad, Ahmed, and Zahran Faki have helped make the day run smoothly for past participants.

“Awesome experience! We were a group of 9 and had an amazing day!”

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Zanzibar: Sea Turtle Swim at Kizimkazi Salaam Cave Tour - Reaching Kizimkazi from your hotel
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Zanzibar: Sea Turtle Swim at Kizimkazi Salaam Cave Tour

5.Sea Turtle Swim at Kizimkazi Salaam Cave Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 78 reviews · 1.5 - 4 hours · from $48

Travel from your hotel to Kizimkazi’s Salaam Cave for a guided 30-minute visit with sea turtles. Local guide Luqman explains their care, feeding habits, and life cycle before you enter the clear salt water and offer seaweed. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

“So good. Fed and paddled with so many turtles. Incredible time”

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Swim with Sea Turtles, Kuza Cave, Paje Beach, The Rock Lunch - Swimming with sea turtles at Salaam Cave
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Swim with Sea Turtles, Kuza Cave, Paje Beach, The Rock Lunch

6.Swim with Sea Turtles, Kuza Cave, Paje Beach, The Rock Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 77 reviews · 9 hours · from $150

Spend nine hours exploring southern Zanzibar with a private guide and driver. Swim with turtles at Salaam Cave, visit Kuza Cave, stroll Paje Beach, and stop at The Rock Restaurant. The schedule may also include Jozani Forest and dolphin watching, so confirm the exact plan before booking. Guides such as Abdul, Momo, and Mohammed are praised for friendly, personal service.

“Great day out! well organised and did all the things we wanted to do on that side of the island and no stress of having to organise it all separately! sea was quite rough which made for a slightly uncomfortable, but very safe, boat ride and sadly no dolphins to be seen. The guide and driver were lovely. turtle cave was very fun, Kuza cave beautiful for a quick swim and then finished off by a delicious meal at the rock restaurant (make sure you book this separately). Overall, a very enjoyable day out!”

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Zanzibar: Swim with Sea Turtles at Baraka or Salaam Aquarium - What happens at the hotel pickup
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Zanzibar: Swim with Sea Turtles at Baraka or Salaam Aquarium

7.Swim with Sea Turtles at Baraka or Salaam Aquarium

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 65 reviews · 3 hours · from $80

Meet sea turtles at Baraka Aquarium near Nungwi or Salaam Aquarium in Kizimkazi, chosen according to your hotel location. You can swim, feed them seaweed, touch them carefully, and take photos. Your English-speaking driver collects you at the hotel, and guides such as Abdul or Mrisho may share stories along the way.

“Second time doing this excursion while here. Absolutely brilliant experience and would recommend everyone to try it, while in Zanzibar”

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5-Hour Snorkeling, Swimming with Dolphins and Sea Turtles Aquarium - The dolphin search needs realistic expectations
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5-Hour Snorkeling, Swimming with Dolphins and Sea Turtles Aquarium

8.5-Hour Snorkeling, Swimming with Dolphins and Sea Turtles Aquarium

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 48 reviews · from $60

Spend about five hours from Nungwi exploring Mnemba Atoll, snorkeling among reef fish, searching for dolphins, relaxing on a sandbank, and swimming with sea turtles at a natural lagoon. Suleiman and his small team may help arrange transport, while loaner gear, fruit, snacks, and soft drinks are included. Dolphin sightings are likely but not guaranteed.

“Swimming with the sea turtles one of the turtles bit him butt and he laughed and has not stopped talking about it.”

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Massai village & Baraka turtules aquarium - Meeting Maasai culture respectfully
Maasai Village Tours, Sea Turtle Swimming, Tour Reviews, Zanzibar Tours

Massai village & Baraka turtules aquarium

9.Massai village & Baraka turtules aquarium

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 42 reviews · 5 hours · from $57

Spend an afternoon with Maasai hosts in Kidoti, where you can ask about daily life, clothing, customs, and traditions before a 1.5-hour visit to Baraka Aquarium in Nungwi. You can swim with and feed the turtles. Hotel pickup, entry fees, an English-speaking guide, and transport are included for $57.

“This was very informative and entertaining. My group loved this excursion”

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Zanzibar: Baraka Aquarium Feed, Swim & Snorkel with Turtles - What happens from hotel pickup to Nungwi
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Zanzibar: Baraka Aquarium Feed, Swim & Snorkel with Turtles

10.Baraka Aquarium Feed, Swim & Snorkel with Turtles

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 27 reviews · 2 hours · from $42

Visit Baraka Natural Aquarium near Nungwi for a close look at rescued sea turtles. Feed them seaweed, wade or swim in their natural tidal pool, and hear how the project protects local turtles. The two-hour private tour includes hotel pickup, entry, water, and a multilingual guide, though snorkeling time and turtle information can be brief.

“We would have liked to snorkel for longer but was super fun.”

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Mnemba Island, Turtle Tour, Kuza Cave, The Rock - Starting with Mnemba Atoll
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Mnemba Island, Turtle Tour, Kuza Cave, The Rock

11.Mnemba Island, Turtle Tour, Kuza Cave, The Rock

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 26 reviews · 10 hours · from $160

Spend a private day exploring Zanzibar’s southern coast with hotel pickup, a guide, and your own boat. Swim near Mnemba Atoll, meet turtles at Baraka Natural Aquarium, visit Kuza Cave, and reach The Rock Restaurant around 16:00. Guides such as Sadik, Abdula, and Ultimo have helped guests with translation, photos, and local insight.

“Ultimo è un grande! Tutto perfetto nulla da dire. Siamo riusciti a vedere i delfini e abbiamo nuotato insieme a loro 😍 fatto il bagno con le tartarughe, mangiato divinamente al the rock (vi consiglio le parpardelle 🤪 ) e imparato tantissime cose insieme ad Ultimo, consiglio quest escursione a tutti.”

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Zanzibar: Swimming with Turtles at Salaam Cave Aquarium - Entering the Cave Pool
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Zanzibar: Swimming with Turtles at Salaam Cave Aquarium

12.Swimming with Turtles at Salaam Cave Aquarium

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 26 reviews · 4 hours · from $56

You’ll visit Salaam Cave Aquarium in Kizimkazi, learn how sea turtles are protected, and swim and snorkel beside them in clear water. A private group, hotel pickup, entrance fee, water, and a guide in English, French, German, or Swahili are included. Bring a towel, sun protection, and footwear for the rocky cave floor.

“Ha sido divertira. Algo diferente y para recordar y repetir”

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Zanzibar: Mnemba Island & Jozani Forest Tour with Turtles - Mnemba Island and the morning dolphin search
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Zanzibar: Mnemba Island & Jozani Forest Tour with Turtles

13.Mnemba Island & Jozani Forest Tour with Turtles

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 25 reviews · 8 hours · from $170

You’ll combine Mnemba’s coral reefs and dolphin watching with Jozani Forest’s red colobus monkeys, then visit a sea turtle conservation site. Guides such as Hassan, Harith, Salum, and Mohammed lead private groups in several languages. Expect an early start, tropical fruit, water, transport, and extra cost for a full beach lunch.

“Magnifique journée remplie je découvertes, idéal pour voir pleins de choses en une journée”

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Salaam Cave Zanzibar (Turtles Santuary) - Entering Salaam Cave Aquarium
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Salaam Cave Zanzibar (Turtles Santuary)

14.Salaam Cave Zanzibar (Turtles Santuary)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 22 reviews · from $100

You’ll visit Salaam Cave Aquarium in Kizimkazi, a natural underground pool where you can swim near turtles, take photos, and watch birds above. Mo Tours & Safaris includes hotel pickup, transfers, entrance fees, and return transport. Allow about one to two hours, with a typical 9:00am pickup.

“It’s very peaceful and beautiful! The staff is amazing and kind! It has a spa and restaurant as well.”

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Salaam Cave Swimming & feeding Sea Turtles in Kizimkazi - The drive from Zanzibar to Kizimkazi
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Salaam Cave Swimming & feeding Sea Turtles in Kizimkazi

15.Salaam Cave Swimming & feeding Sea Turtles in Kizimkazi

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · 1 hour · from $81Top rated

Visit Salaam Cave in Kizimkazi for a close look at sea turtles in a clear, waist-deep limestone pool. Your English-speaking guide explains local conservation, provides seaweed for feeding, and helps with the swim. Hotel pickup, drop-off, entry, and the basic turtle experience are included, though the cave visit itself can be brief.

“Visiting the Salaam Cave in Zanzibar was a nice, relaxed experience. Our driver arrived on time and got us to the location without any issues, which made the start of the excursion stress-free. The cave itself is fairly small, but there are plenty of turtles to see up close. You’re able to feed the turtles, which is definitely the highlight of the visit. While it’s often described as “swimming with the turtles,” I wouldn’t quite call it swimming—the water is about waist-high, depending on your height, so it’s more of a wading experience. Afterward, there are vendors nearby where you can purchase souvenirs and food, which is a nice way…”

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New in Sea Turtle Swimming

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★ 5.0Private Mnemba Island and Turtle Aquarium TourFrom $1903 reviews
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★ 4.6Prison Island, Sea Turtles, Rock Restaurant & Relax in BeachFrom $1253 reviews
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★ 4.5Lunch Break, Mnemba Tour, Swim with Turtles, Kendwa BeachFrom $1804 reviews
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