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 November
Short rains may pass quickly, but plan a flexible beach week.
November is usually part of Zanzibar’s short-rains period. Rain does not rule out a visit, but keep Stone Town, food and cultural plans alongside beach days, and check tide conditions for the coast you choose.
- Daytime high
- 30°ERA5 grid · Stone Town
- Nighttime
- 25°ERA5 grid · Stone Town
- Wet days
- 19days with ≥1 mm/day
- Relative budget
- Moderate
- November timing
- Short rainsKeep a sheltered activity available for rain and check the forecast for your island stay.
Weather: ERA5 via Open-Meteo Historical Weather API · ERA5 grid near Stone Town · 2015–2024. Not a forecast. See the annual view
November in context
The weather & the season
See where November sits, then plan for your exact week.
30°November high
Travel seasons
November 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 short-rains showers
Keep a sheltered activity available for rain and check the forecast for your island stay.
Zanzibar Commission for TourismCheck tide times for the east coast
At Paje, low tide can leave a long walk across exposed flats. Choose the coast around how you want to swim.
Tide table referenceMonthly 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.
- November trade-off
- Stone Town suits heritage visits and dining, with limited beach swimming by town.
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.
- November trade-off
- Nungwi has more all-day swimming access than many east-coast beaches, with a resort strip.
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.
- November trade-off
- Paje has kitesurfing and wide tidal flats; low tide changes swimming access.
Stay options for the season
Hotels for a November 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 heritage hotel works for Stone Town evenings and a short culture-first stay.
- 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.
November details & sources
Plan beach days separately; the town is not a resort beach base.
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 Nungwi hotel suits beach time and north-coast outings.
- 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.
November details & sources
Ask about room position and tide access; November showers remain possible.
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 on the east coast suits a property-led stay and kite-surfing plans.
- 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.
November details & sources
At low tide, the shoreline can retreat far from the hotel; check tide tables.
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 November questions
Tides, rain and the choice of coast shape a beach stay.
Does it rain all day in November?
November is associated with the short rains, which can come as showers. Exact timing varies; keep a flexible plan.
Which coast is best for swimming?
Nungwi often has more direct swimming access across the tide cycle. East-coast beaches have larger tidal swings.
Is Paje good for swimming?
Paje suits kite-surfing and long beach walks. Swimming access changes substantially with the tide.
Can I split time between beach and Stone Town?
Yes, but allow time for transfers. Stone Town works well as a separate start or end to a beach stay.
Sources & checks
Weather, areas & hotels
- Zanzibar · official destination information
- Tanzania Meteorological Authority
- 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
- Official destination guidance
- Official local updates
Keep exploring
Similar places to visit in November
Compare the weather, budget and type of trip.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s south coast
South-coast season begins, but inter-monsoon showers can still disrupt plans
- Daytime high
- 30°
- Relative budget
- Lower cost
Costa Rica
Guanacaste
Pacific dry season approaches, but green-season rain can linger
- Daytime high
- 30°
- Relative budget
- Moderate
United Arab Emirates
Dubai
Comfortable outdoor days return, with long city transfers to plan
- Daytime high
- 31°
- Relative budget
- Higher cost