Private or shared boat?
A shared trip puts you on a boat with other travellers, on a fixed schedule. A private boat costs more in total, but the boat, the timing and the stops are yours.
On ANELIS you can do either: the sunset cruise is $15 per person, and the whole boat for a private party starts at $200. From about ten people, private costs the same as paying per seat.
What a private trip costs
| Trips | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sunset sail | 2 h | $15 per person · $20 with food & drinks |
| Party night | 4 h | $25 per person · whole boat $250 |
| Private party | 2.5 h+ | $200 whole boat, 2.5 h · +$100 per extra hour |
| Mnemba & dolphins | 5 h | $250 whole boat, private · 5 hours |
| Sandbank picnic | 5 h | price on request |
When to go
Zanzibar is generally driest from June to October and from December to February, the most popular months for the sea. The long rains usually fall around April and May, the short rains around November; even then, many mornings are calm and clear.
Sunset is between about 18:10 and 18:50 all year, so a sunset cruise works in any month.
Tides decide the day
The tide off northern Zanzibar moves a lot, and low tide shifts by about an hour every day. Sandbanks only appear around low tide, and at low tide you may walk a little through shallow water to reach the boat.
That is why a good captain sets the time by the tide table, not by a fixed clock. We confirm the exact hour on WhatsApp.
What to bring
Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, a T-shirt for snorkelling, a towel, a waterproof bag for your phone, and cash for the Mnemba conservation fee if you go there.
Mnemba and the dolphins
Mnemba Atoll is a protected marine area and charges a conservation fee per person, separate from the boat price. Dolphins live in the area but are wild: a good crew looks for them and never chases them.
Questions
What is the best boat trip from Nungwi?
For a first trip, the sunset cruise: two hours, the sun sets straight into the sea on Nungwi's west coast. For snorkelling, Mnemba Atoll.
How much is a boat trip in Nungwi?
Shared trips usually cost a few tens of dollars per person. On ANELIS the sunset cruise is $15 per person ($20 with food and drinks), and the whole boat starts at $200.
Do I need to book in advance?
In high season, a day or two ahead is wise for private boats. On WhatsApp we answer within minutes.
