Christmas in Zanzibar
Zanzibar at Christmas (December) is high season combining excellent climate (28-32°C day, 22-24°C night), minimal rainfall 5-8 days month (short showers), water temperature 27-29°C perfect, paradisiacal beaches festively decorated, festive atmosphere hotels/resorts (special Christmas Eve/Christmas Eve dinners, decorations, events). Advantages: Abundant sunshine (90% days), calm sea ideal for families/children, less mosquitoes vs. nov-mar, special Christmas activities. Disadvantages: High season prices (+40-60% hotels vs low season), more tourists vs Jun-Oct but manageable, advance bookings mandatory (3-6 months). Activities: beaches (Nungwi/Kendwa/Paje), Mnemba snorkeling/diving, Kizimkazi dolphin tours, Stone Town culture, spice tours, special Christmas/New Year's Eve dinners at resorts. Accommodation: guesthouses 40-80 USD, mid-range 100-200 USD, luxury resorts 300-800+ USD. This guide explains weather, activities, prices and tips to celebrate tropical Christmas.
Zanzibar weather at Christmas
Day temperature: 28-32°C (warm, sunny, perfect beach).
Night temperature: 22-24°C (pleasantly refreshing).
Water temperature: 27-29°C (perfect for swimming/water sports).
RainsLows 5-8 days month occasional short showers (NOT affecting vacations), dry season being one of the best weather months.
Humidity: 70-80% (moderate, less sultry than nov).
Sol: Abundant 90% days, mostly clear skies.
Winds: Mild-moderate 8-15 knots, calm sea, ideal for families.
Best month yearDecember together Jun-Aug optimal weather, Christmas coincides excellent period.
Updated weather: Weather.com accurate December forecasts.
Historical data: Climate-Data.org Zanzibar statistics December.
Zanzibar Christmas Activities
Zanzibar Beaches at Christmas
Nungwi/Kendwa North: No tide swimming all day, Christmas decorations resorts, Christmas Eve beach parties.
East coast pageboy: Kitesurfing/windsurfing good winds 12-20 knots (consult us) Windguru), relaxed atmosphere.
Jambiani: Quiet authentic, less tourists, festive fishing village.
Matemwe: Quiet family, access Mnemba Atoll tours.
Special Christmas dinners
ResortsChristmas Eve (Dec 24) and Christmas Eve (Dec 25) special dinners, international/local buffets, fresh seafood, special desserts, live music, prices 80-200 USD per person depending on resort.
Boutique hotelsIntimate dinners, fixed menu, family atmosphere, 60-150 USD per person.
Stone Town RestaurantsChristmas dinner options (advance reservation required), 40-100 USD per person.
Snorkeling Zanzibar at Christmas time
Mnemba AtollBest snorkeling/dive Zanzibar, tours 80-150 USD, excellent visibility 20-25 meters December.
Nungwi/Kendwa ReefsTours 20.000-30.000 TZS (8-12 USD) half day.
Diving2 dives 80-120 USD, certification PADI available.
Stone Town culture
Historic cityUNESCO world heritage site, guided tours 30,000-50,000 TZS (12-20 USD).
Christmas markets: Festive atmosphere, decorated markets, local handicrafts, unique gifts.
House of WondersMain museum, entrance fee 10.000 TZS (4 USD).
Information: UNESCO Stone Town heritage.
Spice tours
PlantationsCloves, cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla - "spice island".
Tours: Half day 40,000-60,000 TZS (16-24 USD), includes local lunch.
December: Lush green landscapes, ideal temperatures tours.
Special Zanzibar Christmas events
Beach partiesKendwa Rocks, Nungwi Beach resorts organize Christmas Eve parties with live DJ music.
New Year: Celebrations 31 Dec spectacular northern beaches, fireworks, galas resorts dinners.
Day SafarisJozani Forest colobus monkeys, Prison Island giant tortoises.
Zanzibar Christmas Accommodation
Economic budget
Guesthouses: 40-80 USD/night (prices +30-40% vs. low season), basic clean.
HostelsDorm rooms 20-35 USD, private rooms 50-70 USD.
NoteChristmas: Economic limited Christmas, reserve 3-4 months in advance.
Mid-range
Mid-range hotels: 100-200 USD/night (prices +40-50% vs. low season), swimming pool, restaurant, direct beach.
ExamplesKendwa Rocks 120-180 USD, Sunset Kendwa 110-170 USD, Blue Bay Paje 100-160 USD.
Christmas dinnersGenerally included in the price or supplement 30-60 USD per person.
Luxury resorts
Luxury resorts300-800+ USD/night (prices +50-60% vs. low season), spa, multiple restaurants, activities included.
ExamplesZ Hotel 400-700 USD, The Residence 500-1,000 USD, Mnemba Island Lodge 1,500-3,000+ USD.
Zanzibar Christmas Prices
Flights: Expensive high season (+50-80% vs. low season), book 3-6 months in advance for best rates.
Lodgingprices vs. May-Jun low season.
Tours/activitiesStandard prices without significant increase.
RestaurantsChristmas/New Year special dinners 80-200 USD person buffets resorts.
CabsNormal prices (Stone Town-Nungwi 70,000-80,000 TZS/28-32 USD).
Daily budgetBudget 80-150 USD, mid-range 200-400 USD, luxury 500-1,000+ USD person (includes accommodation/food/activities).
Zanzibar Christmas Tips
Advance bookingMANDATORY 3-6 months in advance hotels/flights/special dinners (everything sells out fast Christmas).
FlexibilityFull hotels - consider less touristy accommodation (Jambiani/Matemwe/Matemwe) vs. overcrowded Nungwi/Kendwa.
Christmas dinners: Book Christmas Eve/Christmas Eve restaurants/resorts weeks in advance (limited seating).
Protección solarSPF 50+ (intense sun December peak), hat, sunglasses, protective clothing.
Hydration: Drink water constantly (heat 28-32°C).
Respect cultureMuslim : 99% - Christmas held mainly tourists/resorts, outside tourist areas normal life, respects local customs.
MalariaMandatory prophylaxis (Malarone/Doxycycline), DEET 30%+ repellent, mosquito net.
Cash: Carry enough TZS/USD, limited Stone Town ATMs Christmas/New Year.
Travel insuranceRecommended medical/cancellation coverage (hotels with strict cancellation policies during high season).
Frequently asked questions Zanzibar at Christmas
What is Zanzibar like at Christmas?
Zanzibar at Christmas (December) is excellent high season combining optimum climate (28-32°C sunny day, 22-24°C cool night), water temperature 27-29°C perfect, minimal rainfall 5-8 days month occasional short showers do NOT affect vacations being one of the best weather months of the year), paradise beaches (Nungwi/Kendwa/Paje white sand turquoise water), festive atmosphere Christmas themed decorated hotels/resorts organizing special dinners Christmas Eve (24 Dec) and Christmas Eve (25 Dec) seafood buffets/international live music 80-200 USD person, beach parties, New Year's Eve events fireworks. Advantages90% days perfect beach conditions, calm sea ideal for families/children safe swimming, less mosquitoes vs. nov-sea, optimal water activities (snorkeling/diving visibility 20-25 meters, kitesurfing winds 12-20 knots) Windguru). Disadvantages: High season accommodation prices +40-60% vs low season (guesthouses 40-80 USD, mid-range 100-200 USD, resorts 300-800+ USD), more tourists vs Jun-Oct but manageable, mandatory advance reservations 3-6 months (hotel/flight/dinner specials sell out quickly). Consult weather Weather.comhistorical data Climate-Data.org. According to Lonely Planet, Zanzibar at Christmas is "perfect tropical destination to escape European cold" being "unique combination of excellent climate, paradisiacal beaches, festive celebrations and multicultural atmosphere".
What to do in Zanzibar at Christmas?
At Zanzibar at Christmas you can: (1) Paradisiacal beaches - Nungwi/Kendwa north (no tide all day swimming, Christmas decorations resorts, Christmas Eve beach parties DJ music), Paje east (kitesurfing/windsurfing 12-20 knots), Jambiani quiet authentic; (2) Special Christmas dinners - resorts organize Christmas Eve/Christmas Eve buffets 80-200 USD person (fresh seafood, lobster/shrimp, special desserts, live music, champagne toast), advance reservation required weeks in advance; (3) Snorkeling/diving - Mnemba Atoll tours 80-150 USD (excellent visibility 20-25 meters december best month year, certification PADI available), Nungwi/Kendwa reefs 20,000-30,000 TZS half a day; (4) Dolphin Tours - Kizimkazi 50-80 USD tomorrow 6:00-9:00 (80-90% probability sighting, ethical Whale and Dolphin Conservation); (5) Stone Town culture - historic city UNESCO heritage tours 30,000-50,000 TZS, markets decorated festive atmosphere, handicrafts unique gifts; (6) Spice tours - clove/cinnamon/vanilla plantations 40,000-60,000 TZS half day lunch included; (7) Special events - New Year's Eve parties 31 Dec beaches north beaches fireworks dinners galas resorts, safaris Jozani Forest day colobus monkeys/Prison Island turtles. Duration: 5-7 days sufficient Zanzibar at Christmas (beaches, snorkeling, culture, special dinners). According to TripAdvisor, Zanzibar at Christmas offers "unique experience combining tropical beach vacations with memorable festive celebrations" being "perfect alternative to traditional cold European Christmas".
Is it expensive to travel to Zanzibar at Christmas?
YES, Zanzibar at Christmas is an expensive high season. with prices +40-60% upper vs. low season (May-Jun, Sep-Oct) but worth the weather excellent unique festive experience: COSTS – (1) Flights expensive (+50-80% vs low season) Europe-Zanzibar 600-1,200 EUR roundtrip booking 3-6 months in advance best fares; (2) Lodging extreme high season - guesthouses 40-80 USD/night (+30-40% increase), mid-range 100-200 USD (+40-50%), luxury resorts 300-800+ USD (+50-60%), all-inclusive Christmas/New Year special packages; (3) Special dinners Christmas Eve/Christmas Eve buffets resorts 80-200 USD person (fresh seafood lobster/shrimp, champagne, live music, desserts), Stone Town restaurants 40-100 USD advance reservation; (4) Tours/activities standard prices - Mnemba snorkel 80-150 USD, Kizimkazi dolphins 50-80 USD, spice tours 40,000-60,000 TZS (16-24 USD), Stone Town tours 30,000-50,000 TZS with no significant increases; (5) Transportation normal cabs Stone Town-Nungwi 70,000-80,000 TZS (28-32 USD). Total daily budgetBudget 80-150 USD person (guesthouses, local food, basic tours), mid-range 200-400 USD (mid-range hotels, good restaurants, multiple tours), luxury 500-1,000+ USD (resorts, special dinners, private tours). SAVINGS: Book 4-6 months in advance best rates flights/hotels before they sell out, consider less touristy areas (Jambiani/Matemwe/Pwani Mchangani) vs expensive overcrowded Nungwi/Kendwa, avoid special dinners/resorts cooking/cheap local restaurants. Compare prices Booking.com, flights Skyscanner. According to Budget Travel, Zanzibar at Christmas is "worth the investment" being "unique experience justifies cost high season perfect weather memorable celebrations paradisiacal beaches".