Zanzibar Travel Guide
Zanzibar in November: The Short Rains, Honestly Explained
By Haji, your local · updated on 09.10.2026 · 5 min read
Part of our complete Zanzibar travel guideIn November Zanzibar has its short rainy season: on average around 215 mm falls on about 13 days, mostly as a heavy, short downpour. Even so, the sun shines for eight hours a day on average, it is warm at 31 °C and pleasantly quiet before Christmas. For flexible travellers an underrated month with off-season prices.
November weather in numbers
| Value | November |
|---|---|
| Daytime high | approx. 31 °C |
| At night | approx. 21 °C |
| Sunshine hours per day | approx. 8 |
| Rainfall | approx. 215 mm on around 13 days |
| Sea temperature | approx. 27 °C |
Long-term averages, rounded. The weather in individual years may differ.
The short rains: what they really feel like
In Kiswahili the short rains are called Vuli. They usually come as a heavy, warm shower, often in the afternoon or at night, and afterwards the sky is blue again. Days of constant rain are rare but possible. Because the hours of sunshine stay high, November is much friendlier than the long rainy season in April.
What works especially well in November
- Green nature after the rain: Jozani Forest & Salam Cave.
- Stone Town and spices: Stone Town & Spice Farm.
- Boat trips on the dry days, planned flexibly around the weather.
- Quiet beach days at off-season prices.
What to watch out for in November
- Plan a buffer day for boat trips.
- Consistent mosquito protection in the evening: Malaria in Zanzibar.
- A light rain jacket rather than an umbrella – it stays warm.
- If you travel at the end of November, you often catch the first more stable days before the Christmas season.
Is Zanzibar worth it in November?
Yes, if you take the weather in your stride and would rather have peace than guaranteed sunshine. For a honeymoon with a fixed programme or for kitesurfing, January, February or June to October are safer. What realistically awaits you is described in Zanzibar: Expectation vs. Reality.
Compare with Zanzibar in October and Zanzibar in December or read the month-by-month overview.
November calm instead of grey days? I will plan you a free route with a buffer for the weather.
Frequently asked questions
Is November a good time to visit Zanzibar?+
For flexible travellers, yes. It is the short rainy season with heavy showers, but lots of sun in between, a warm sea and off-season prices.
How much does it rain in Zanzibar in November?+
On average around 215 mm on about 13 days, mostly as a short, heavy shower in the afternoon or at night.
How warm is Zanzibar in November?+
Around 31 °C during the day and about 21 °C at night. The sea is 27 °C.
Do boat trips run in November?+
Yes. On days with heavy rain or wind we postpone them, which is why a buffer day makes sense.