Surf Break

Lat Long: 16.72° N 62.24° W

Zanzibar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 13 Oct 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Zanzibar sea temperature is
29.4°C
0.8° 

Zanzibar surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Zanzibar surf forecast from 14 Oct 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 20 Oct, 2PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 11s period, N swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 20 Oct, 5PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 10s period, N swell with 141 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 20 Oct, 2PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 11s period with N swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Zanzibar this week:

The surf forecast for Zanzibar over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Oct 20) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Zanzibar in the next 16 days are 0.8m 10s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Oct 20) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 8s period and expected on Wednesday (Oct 14) at 11AM.

Wave TypeTime (AST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2PM (Tue 20th Oct)1.5ft (0.5m) 11s
Best Surf 2PM (Tue 20th Oct)1.5ft (0.5m) 11s
Most Powerful 5PM (Tue 20th Oct)2.5ft (0.8m) 10s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Zanzibar over the next 16 days.


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Tue night, min 27°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Fri night, min 27°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
14
Thursday
15
Friday
16
Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
N
8
0.5
NNE
8
0.5
NNE
8
0.4
NE
8
0.4
NNE
10
0.4
NNE
10
0.3
NNE
9
0.3
NNE
14
0.2
NNE
15
0.4
NNE
13
0.6
NNE
12
0.7
NNE
11
0.7
NNE
10
0.6
NNE
10
0.6
N
10
0.5
N
9
0.4
NNE
11
0.6
N
10
0.6
N
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
29
39
37
18
33
32
17
40
21
57
109
123
106
71
67
42
39
75
83
Wind (km/h)
20
E
25
E
25
ENE
25
ENE
25
E
20
ENE
20
E
20
E
25
ENE
20
E
20
E
25
E
20
E
20
E
25
E
25
E
20
E
25
ENE
20
E
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
4:05PM0.29m
4:31PM0.29m
5:00PM0.28m
5:31PM0.28m
6:06PM0.28m
3:23PM0.27m
Low Tide
00:40AM0.03m
1:26AM0.03m
2:16AM0.04m
3:09AM0.05m
4:02AM0.07m
4:52AM0.09m
5:52PM0.27m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
thunderstorm
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
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6:01
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:49
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5:47
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5:46
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5:46
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5:45
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5:45
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5:45
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 mm
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1
Temp °C
28
28
28
28
28
28
28
27
28
28
28
28
28
28
28
28
28
28
28
Feels °C
29
28
29
30
29
29
29
28
30
28
29
29
29
29
29
28
29
29
29
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Zanzibar Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Zanzibar provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Zanzibar can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Zanzibar surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Zanzibar) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).

Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Zanzibar may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.

Nungwi Reefs is 49 km (30 miles) from the city of Pangani. If you plan a holiday in Zanzibar, look for hotels and other accommodation in Pangani. Pangani has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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