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June marks the start of Zanzibar’s long dry season, and June itself is often the sunniest, driest month of the year. Daytime temperatures are warm, averaging around 28°C (82°F), with pleasant nights around 20°C (68°F) and generally low humidity.
By the middle of June, the southern ‘kusi’ wind is in full flow, a fresh, steady breeze that can blow hard up the eastern coasts. Wind speeds can get up to around 35 km/h (about 18 knots), which is ideal for kite surfers, but some days may be a bit blowy for beach tanning.Â
Beyond the protected reefs, the wind can also whip up the seas, especially along the southern coasts, which are at their roughest in June and July.
If you’re into wind sports, then Zanzibar Island’s eastern shores are for you. Paje is the island’s kite surfing capital, but all of the east coast’s major centers will also offer wind-based water sports.
If it’s more relaxed beach time you’re after, then June should see you head for the north-facing resorts instead; the northern seas are also usually calmer in June, which is better for diving and snorkeling.Â
That said, if the wind really picks up, then even the north can get choppy, and on the whole, the best diving is usually later in the year.
Around Mafia, diving is only certain in the calmer waters of Chole Bay. June is also the start of Mafia’s turtle hatching season, a major highlight of the southern archipelago.
Travel Tips
- One of nature’s great spectacles takes place between June and September as thousands of tiny turtles dash for the sea. Juani Island, off Chole Bay, is the best place to see them, and guided boat tours from Mafia Island can be booked with the local turtle NGO, Sea Sense (http://www.seasense.org/).
