ERA5 · Stone Town
Short-rains period through the year.
Daytime highNighttime low°C
ERA5 via Open-Meteo Historical Weather API · ERA5 grid near Stone Town · 2015–2024.
Unguja Island · Zanzibar, Tanzania
Zanzibar in February
Zanzibar in February: hot, humid beach weather in the short dry spell.
February is part of the hot Kaskazi period and is typically drier than the long rains that build in March. Expect heat and humidity. Stone Town, Nungwi and Paje offer different coast and activity choices, with tide, wind and sea state shaping beach time.
- Daytime high
- 31°ERA5 grid · Stone Town
- Nighttime
- 27°ERA5 grid · Stone Town
- Wet days
- 9days with ≥1 mm/day
- Relative budget
- Moderate
- February timing
- Hot seasonLong rains build from March
Weather: ERA5 via Open-Meteo Historical Weather API · ERA5 grid near Stone Town · 2015–2024. Not a forecast. See the annual view
February in context
The weather & the season
See where February sits, then plan for your exact week.
31°February high
Travel seasons
February in the year
Seasonal travel guidance, not measured visitor counts.
JanShort dry season
FebShort dry season
MarLong rains
AprLong rains
MayLong rains
JunDry season
JulDry season
AugDry season
SepDry season
OctShort rains
NovShort rains
DecShort rains
Tanzania Meteorological Authority · seasonal rainfall patterns
TMA describes Zanzibar’s short rains in October–December, long rains in March–May, and relatively dry January–February and June–September periods. Timing and weather vary by year. These are seasonal labels, not crowd counts or a forecast.
Plan for heat and humidity
Schedule walks early or late, drink water and check local sea conditions before snorkelling or diving.
Tanzania Meteorological Authority · climateCheck festival dates
Sauti za Busara and other events may be scheduled in February, but dates and venues change each year. Use the organiser’s current programme.
Sauti za Busara · current programmeMonthly figures & what they measure
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Wet days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 30° | 27° | 13 |
| Feb | 31° | 27° | 8.9 |
| Mar | 31° | 27° | 17.6 |
| Apr | 29° | 25° | 26.6 |
| May | 28° | 25° | 17 |
| Jun | 28° | 24° | 8.8 |
| Jul | 28° | 23° | 6.6 |
| Aug | 28° | 23° | 8.9 |
| Sep | 28° | 23° | 6.6 |
| Oct | 29° | 24° | 10.3 |
| Nov | 30° | 25° | 19.3 |
| Dec | 30° | 26° | 20.9 |
Monthly means calculated from daily ERA5 reanalysis at the cited grid point for 2015–2024. Highs and lows are monthly means of daily maximum and minimum temperature. Wet days count daily precipitation totals of at least 1 mm; monthly counts were averaged across ten complete years. These are planning averages, not a forecast. TMA describes Zanzibar’s short rains in October–December, long rains in March–May, and relatively dry January–February and June–September periods. Timing and weather vary by year. These are seasonal labels, not crowd counts or a forecast.
Towns, neighbourhoods & resort areas
Zanzibar area guide
Choose an area first, then compare its hotels.
Stone Town is a cultural base; Nungwi offers more all-day swimming potential; Paje’s reef flat exposes at low tide and changes the beach routine.
Zanzibar at a glanceChoose a numbered place
Representative area centres, not hotel entrances. Coastlines are generalized and do not show streets or routes.
Natural Earth · public-domain coastline
Culture, food and one or two nights before a beach stay.
Narrow lanes, markets and historic buildings form a compact centre.- Beach & water
- Harbour views and boat trips; not the island’s main swimming beach.
- Day to day
- Walk the old town; arrange taxis for airport and beach transfers.
- February trade-off
- Stone Town is best for history, food and ferry access; it is a town waterfront, not a resort beach.
Beach days with boat and snorkeling trips.
A beach settlement with hotels, restaurants and boat operators.- Beach & water
- Swimming is less tide-restricted than on the east coast, but verify local conditions.
- Day to day
- Choose a property close to the beach; allow for island road travel.
- February trade-off
- Nungwi has beach resorts and boat excursions at the island’s north, with more evening activity.
Kitesurfing and beach stays with an active village strip.
A long strand with kite schools and beach lodging.- Beach & water
- At low tide the water retreats across the reef flat; swimming access changes.
- Day to day
- Walk the village; arrange taxis for longer island journeys.
- February trade-off
- Paje is known for kite-surfing conditions and a broad tidal flat; swimming access changes with the tide.
Stay options for the season
Hotels for a February stay
Compare the pools, setting and seasonal details that matter.
Area view · Stone TownWaterfront hotel in Stone Town.1 Stone Town · Historic town
Park Hyatt Zanzibar
A waterfront pool and historic Stone Town address suit a February culture stop before or after a beach stay in the island’s hot season.
- Outdoor pool listed; ask about operating hours and access.
- Travellers choosing this area for its setting and facilities
Heritage district setting; festive rates and dinner rules may apply.
February details & sources
This is an urban harbourfront, not a resort beach; heat makes midday walks slower, and transfers add time if you want a north or east-coast swim.
The checked official page does not state a December water temperature. Confirm access and temperature with the hotel if swimming is central to the trip.
Park Hyatt ZanzibarArea view · NungwiBoutique hotel on Nungwi’s beach.2 Nungwi · North coast
The Z Hotel
A beachfront Nungwi base keeps swimming, dining and boat operators close during February’s hot, relatively dry spell.
- Pool listed; verify which room and facilities are included.
- Travellers choosing this area for its setting and facilities
North-coast location; confirm airport transfers and boat plans.
February details & sources
Evening activity can carry into rooms, and excursions still depend on sea state and operator decisions; room position and boat timing matter.
The checked official page does not state a December water temperature. Confirm access and temperature with the hotel if swimming is central to the trip.
The Z HotelArea view · PajeBoutique resort on Paje’s east-coast beach.3 Paje · East-coast village
Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa
A resort stay in Paje pairs a pool and beach setting with the island’s February Kaskazi winds, which draw kite-surfers to this coast.
- Pool facilities listed; tide still shapes ocean swimming.
- Travellers choosing this area for its setting and facilities
Resort-led setting and higher budget band; confirm meal plan and transfers.
February details & sources
The reef flat changes ocean access at low tide; plan around tide windows and check which villa and pool facilities are included in your rate.
The checked official page does not state a December water temperature. Confirm access and temperature with the hotel if swimming is central to the trip.
Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & SpaEditorial hotel positioning, not live rates. Compare dates, room category, taxes, meal plans, transfers and holiday supplements. Facilities checked 2026-10-30. Research from official hotel pages, not personal reviews.
Before you travel
A few checks before Zanzibar
Entry rules, health advice and cover depend on your passport, route and planned activities. Check primary sources close to departure.
Passport & visa
Depends on nationality
Tanzania visa eligibility depends on nationality and travel purpose. Apply or verify through the official immigration portal before departure.
Health preparation
Route and personal health matter
Yellow-fever rules depend on recent travel and transit. Check current entry and health guidance with a travel-health clinic.
Travel advice & insurance
Check your itinerary
Review current Tanzania travel advice and insure medical care, evacuation, boat trips and watersports.
Check your passport, route and entry permission
Rules can differ by nationality, travel purpose and transit history. Confirm the requirements for your passport before booking and again before departure.
Checked 29 October 2026. Recheck the linked authorities before departure. Health guidance is general; individual advice comes from a qualified health professional.
Before you book
A few February questions
February is hot and often relatively dry, but beach conditions depend on coast and tide.
Is February a rainy month in Zanzibar?
It is usually within the hot, relatively dry period before the long rains, which typically begin around March. Showers remain possible.
Where should I stay for a beach?
Nungwi and Paje are coastal resort bases. Stone Town is a historic urban stay without a conventional resort beach.
Can I swim at Paje all day?
Tides can expose a wide tidal flat. Check the tide and local swimming conditions before choosing a property for constant beach access.
Are there February festivals?
Some annual events take place around this time, but dates change. Check the current organiser calendar before planning around one.
Sources & checks
Weather, areas & hotels
- Zanzibar · official destination information
- Tanzania Meteorological Authority · climate
- ERA5 climate data · Open-Meteo Historical Weather API
- Park Hyatt Zanzibar · official hotel
- The Z Hotel · official hotel
- Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa · official hotel
- Tanzania Immigration · eVisa
- CDC · Tanzania health
- UK FCDO · Tanzania advice
- Tanzania Meteorological Authority · seasonal rainfall patterns
- Sauti za Busara · current programme
Keep exploring
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