Zanzibar weather in May
Thinking about venturing to Zanzibar this May and curious about the weather conditions to expect? This page holds all the key information you seek, responding to your question:
What is the weather like in Zanzibar in May?
Zanzibar is a region in Tanzania. May in Zanzibar generally has warm temperatures, with precipitation levels ranging from high to heavy.
You can expect warm maximum daytime temperatures of around 29°C and nighttime temperatures around 25°C in Zanzibar City. The temperatures cited for both day and night represent usual averages, but it's possible some days could be hotter. It's advisable to dress accordingly to handle the heat.
In May, precipitation varies across different areas. From high rainfall in Mbweni with an average of 160 mm to heavy rainfall in Nungwi with 244 mm.
For a closer look at May's conditions in Zanzibar, see the map below. For a more detailed look at Zanzibar's yearly weather, check out our Zanzibar climate page.
Where to go in Zanzibar in May
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Popular destinations
What is the weather like in May for the 5 most popular destinations in Zanzibar?
Zanzibar City
In May Zanzibar City generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 29°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 25°C and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.
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Nungwi
In May Nungwi generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 29°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 25°C and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.
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Jambiani
In May Jambiani generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 29°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 25°C and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.
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Paje
In May Paje generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 29°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 25°C and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.
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Bwejuu
In May Bwejuu generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 29°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 25°C and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.
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Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at other destinations in Zanzibar, in Tanzania.
Is May the best time to visit Zanzibar?
Given the typically pleasant weather conditions in Zanzibar City, May might be a good time to visit Zanzibar. However, the weather conditions may vary depending on your destination.
On average, the best time to visit Zanzibar is in June, July, August and September with generally perfect weather in Zanzibar City. On the other hand, the month of April tends to have poor weather conditions.
Interested in more climate information?
We have much more information about the climate in Zanzibar.
Interested in the weather conditions in a specific month? Select the month below.
Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to Tanzania? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in Tanzania.
Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal climate conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.