Safari Blue and Mnemba Island are the two most popular sea trips in Zanzibar — and travellers often ask us which one to choose. They’re quite different days out, so here’s an honest comparison to help you decide (or do both!).
Quick comparison
| Safari Blue | Mnemba Island | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Menai Bay, south-west Zanzibar (from Fumba) | Mnemba Atoll, north-east Zanzibar |
| Length | Full day (about 6 hours) | Half day (about 3 hours) |
| Best for | A relaxed day of sailing, swimming and a big seafood lunch | The best snorkeling on the island and a chance of dolphins |
| Start point | Fumba Village by traditional dhow | Matemwe on the east coast by boat |
| Food | Seafood barbecue, fruit and drinks included | Lunch included |
| Price | from $100 per person (2–6 guests) | from $120 per person |
What you do on Safari Blue
We drive you to Fumba Village on the south-west coast, where you board a traditional dhow into the Menai Bay Conservation Area. During the day you swim at a pristine sandbank, snorkel the coral reefs, look for dolphins, explore small islands and swim in the mangrove lagoon inside Kwale Island (at high tide). Lunch is a legendary seafood barbecue — fish, calamari and slipper lobster — followed by fruit and coffee. You can also climb a centuries-old baobab tree and try a ride in a ngalawa, a local outrigger canoe.
Choose Safari Blue if you want a full, sociable day on the water, you love seafood, or you’re travelling with people who prefer swimming and relaxing to serious snorkeling.
What you do at Mnemba Island
Mnemba Atoll is a protected marine conservation area off the north-east tip of Zanzibar. Its coral gardens are home to turtles, colourful reef fish and starfish, and pods of dolphins are often seen in the area. We visit two different snorkel sites with an experienced snorkel guide, and lunch is included. The trip is shorter and focused on the water — perfect if snorkeling is the highlight of your holiday.
Choose Mnemba if you’re staying in the north or east (Nungwi, Kendwa, Matemwe, Kiwengwa), you want the clearest water and best coral, or you only have half a day.
Which is better for families?
Both work well with children who are comfortable in the water. Safari Blue has more variety and lots of time on calm sandbanks; Mnemba is shorter, which suits younger kids. Snorkel gear and life jackets are included on both trips.
Can I do both?
Absolutely — and many guests do. Because Safari Blue is in the south-west and Mnemba is in the north-east, we suggest doing them on different days. Several of our holiday packages already include one or both.
What to bring
- Swimwear and a towel
- Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses
- Water shoes
- A waterproof bag for your phone or camera
Other ocean trips you might like
- Prison Island & Nakupenda Sandbank — giant tortoises and a sandbank picnic
- Kizimkazi Dolphin Tour — an early-morning trip in the south
- Pungume Island — a remote island in Menai Bay
- Sunset Dhow Cruise — the perfect evening on the water
Plan your Zanzibar trip with us
We’re a local tour operator based in Nungwi. Tell us your dates and we’ll suggest the best tours for your trip — message us on WhatsApp or send an enquiry.