Things to Do in Jambiani 2026

Seaweed Farming — Jambiani's Living Heritage

Jambiani is perhaps the best place in Zanzibar to experience the living tradition of seaweed farming. Unlike in more tourist-heavy areas, the farms here are genuinely active and central to the community's livelihood. The guided walking tour is not a staged demonstration — it is a visit to a working farm where the women you meet will be tending their lines regardless of whether tourists are present. That authenticity makes it one of the most memorable activities available on the island.

Your guide will explain how cottonii seaweed is cultivated from cuttings, grown over four to six weeks, then harvested and dried in the sun. You will learn about the challenges posed by climate change and rising sea temperatures, which have devastated crops in some years, and about the efforts underway to develop more resilient farming methods. The tour costs just $15 and the income goes directly to the local farming cooperative.

Tidal Flat Snorkeling & the Jambiani Reef

The reef system off Jambiani runs parallel to the coast a few hundred metres offshore, protected by the tidal flat from heavy boat traffic and anchor damage. The coral here is generally in better condition than in more visited parts of Zanzibar, and the fish life is correspondingly richer. Our guided snorkel excursions head to the reef edge at high tide, where the water deepens and the diversity of marine life increases dramatically.

Green sea turtles are frequently spotted grazing on the seagrass at the inner edge of the reef, and octopus can often be found lurking in coral crevices. The water temperature sits between 26 and 29 degrees Celsius throughout the year, making it comfortable for extended snorkeling sessions without a wetsuit. All equipment is provided and the trips are suitable for beginners — no prior snorkeling experience is necessary.

Dawn Dhow Fishing — a True East Coast Experience

One of the most memorable things to do in Jambiani is join local fishermen on their morning dhow trip. The departure is before sunrise, when the village is still quiet and the tide is right. You will help push the outrigger dhow off the beach, hoist the sail and head offshore as the first light appears on the horizon. The fishing is done with hand lines — simple but effective — and there is every chance of catching reef fish, mackerel or even a small tuna.

The experience is as much about the dawn seascape and the company as it is about the catch. Watching the Jambiani coastline wake up from the water — smoke rising from breakfast fires, fishermen wading out to their nets, the call to prayer drifting over the village — is a privilege. The trip costs $45, lasts around four hours and is one of the experiences that guests most frequently describe as a highlight of their entire Zanzibar trip.

Day Trips from Jambiani — Sandbanks & Dolphins

Jambiani's location on the southeast coast makes it a great base for day trips further afield. Our sandbank picnic day trip takes guests by boat to a remote islet in the Indian Ocean where the water is impossibly clear and the white sand is entirely deserted. A fresh seafood barbecue is prepared on the sandbank and the afternoon is spent snorkeling the surrounding reef — it is as close to a desert island day as you will find in Zanzibar.

Kizimkazi, approximately 12 kilometres south of Jambiani, is home to year-round populations of both spinner and bottlenose dolphins. Our half-day dolphin tour by speedboat gives guests the opportunity to snorkel alongside these wild animals under the supervision of a licensed guide. The experience is carefully managed to minimise disturbance to the dolphins — guests enter the water gently, without chasing or cornering the animals, allowing for natural encounters that can be extraordinary in their intimacy.