Ask our team for the current price for your dates and group.
Safari Blue is Zanzibar's best-known full-day boat excursion: a relaxed sail aboard a traditional wooden dhow through the Menai Bay Conservation Area, with snorkeling over coral reefs, a good chance of spotting dolphins, and a fresh seafood lunch served on a sandbank at low tide. It's a long, unhurried day on the water, well suited to travelers who want to slow down and swim rather than tick off sights.
Activity level — Low to moderate A full day of sailing and swimming, with time in and out of the water. No special fitness or swimming ability needed.
THE ROUTE, AT YOUR PACE
How your day unfolds
- Full-day sail aboard a traditional wooden dhow
- Snorkeling over coral reefs in Menai Bay
- Chance to spot dolphins along the way
- Fresh seafood lunch served on a sandbank
- Swimming & wading at low tide
- Hotel pickup & drop-off included
The pace is unhurried — sailing, snorkeling and swimming, with lunch on a sandbank in the middle of the day.
You're picked up early and driven south to Fumba, where the dhow is waiting. From there it's a relaxed sail through Menai Bay's marine-protected waters, with your crew keeping an eye out for the bottlenose and humpback dolphins that are often spotted in the area. The first stop is usually a reef for snorkeling, with masks, fins and guidance provided for those who want it.
At low tide, the dhow anchors near a sandbank, where the crew sets up a fresh seafood lunch — grilled fish, prawns, rice and salads are typical, with vegetarian options available on request. There's time to swim, wade in the shallow water, or simply relax before sailing back to Fumba in the late afternoon, where your driver is waiting to return you to your hotel.
Indicative schedule from the operator; timings are confirmed for your booking.
- 7:30am
Hotel pickup Early pickup for the drive south to Fumba.
- 9:00am
Board the dhow Set sail into Menai Bay's marine-protected waters.
- 10:00am
Snorkeling & dolphin spotting Time over the reef, with a chance of dolphin sightings along the way.
- 1:00pm
Sandbank lunch Fresh seafood lunch served on a sandbank at low tide, with time to swim.
- 3:30pm
Sail back to Fumba Return sail, then drop-off at your hotel in the late afternoon.
The details matter.
Included
- Hotel pickup & drop-off
- Full-day dhow sailing tour
- Snorkeling gear
- Fresh seafood lunch on the sandbank
- Menai Bay Conservation Area fees
- English-speaking crew
Not included
- Alcoholic & bottled soft drinks
- Hotel accommodation
- Flights to and from Zanzibar
- Travel & medical insurance (required)
- Souvenirs & personal expenses
- Tips for your crew & driver
Your written proposal confirms the final arrangements and current price for your dates. Please discuss any specific requirements with our team.
Prices & options.
Ask our team for the current price for your dates and group.
Before you go
- This is a long day — typically 7–8 hours including transport — so bring what you need for a full day on the water.
- Bring swimwear, a towel, a hat and reef-safe sunscreen; there's limited shade on the dhow.
- Dolphin sightings are common but never guaranteed — they're wild animals on their own schedule.
- A Tanzania e-Visa is required for most nationalities — apply at immigration.go.tz at least 3 weeks before travel.
A few good questions.
Are dolphins guaranteed?
No — dolphins are wild and sightings can't be guaranteed, though they're spotted on a good number of trips through Menai Bay.
Can non-swimmers join?
Yes, snorkeling and swimming are optional, and there's always time to simply relax on the dhow or the sandbank instead.
What's for lunch?
A fresh seafood lunch is served on the sandbank, typically grilled fish, prawns, rice and salads. Vegetarian options are available if you let us know in advance.
How long is the day?
Including hotel transfers, expect to be out for around 7–8 hours, roughly 7:30am to mid-afternoon.
Make this journey yours.
Your personal proposal confirms the final itinerary, accommodation, inclusions and price for your dates.
Enquire about this journey