Tours/Zanzibar/Mnemba Island Snorkeling and Swimming with Dolphin Full Day Trip
Viator · group up to 6 pax

Mnemba Island Snorkeling and Swimming with Dolphin Full Day Trip

4.8(13)Zanzibar1 hour
VIATOR4.5(2)TRIPADVISOR4.8(11)

Description

Increase your chances of spotting some of Tanzania’s rarest marine life (e.g. swimming with bottlenose dolphins.) during a snorkeling tour that takes you to some of the best wildlife-watching spots around Mnemba Island and also enjoying seafood lunch BBQ.

Tour Options

Mnemba Island Snorkeling and Swimming with Dolphin Full Day Trip
  • Pickup included

Highlights

Soda/Pop
Bottled water
Zanzibar Tropical Fruits
Motorboat
Lunch
Use of Snorkelling equipment
All Fees and Taxes
Local Guide

What's included

Included
Soda/Pop
Bottled water
Zanzibar Tropical Fruits
Motorboat
Lunch
Use of Snorkelling equipment
All Fees and Taxes
Local Guide

Pickup Locations & Times

For those who are taking accommodation at the South, South East, West, South West of Zanzibar our meeting point will be at the beach side of Mama Mia Restaurant, Nungwi. If your are at Nungwi, Kendwa, Kiwengwa, Pwani Mchangani and Matemwe, we will Pick you up and drop you at your hotels receptions / beach / outside hotel parking point (Pick Up and Drop off included).

Traveller Ratings

4.8
13 reviews
5
11
4
1
3
1
2
0
1
0

Important Information

  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Reviews(13)

R
Robert_C
July 16, 2026
Good time at sea despite cloudy weather.

It was a good trip, even though the weather was not good for snorkelling. The two lads who were our guides knew where to find dolphins in the choppy waters. We were lucky we got to the area where we saw and swim next to dolphins in early afternoon because there’s just few jellyfish larvae. The coral reef is slowly dying but we saw a few different, colourful fish. The zebra fish is the most common. The boys served fresh fruits on board, and we had a good lunch. There were masks and tubes to use for snorkelling but no fins. If you take this trip on an overcast day, take a windbreaker or warmer clothing, because the boat ride was long and when we got out of the ocean we had to shield from the wind.

M
Maps609484
July 1, 2026
Great trip

Well organised and ethical crew. As previous reviews mention they don’t chase the dolphins like the other boats do, and it is horrible to witness other boats harassing the dolphins. People on our boat did get in the water with the dolphins but in a much more respectful manner. The sandbank was fabulous. Snorkelling was great, so much to see. Lunch at a local restaurant on the beach was delicious and tailored to your taste. Highly recommend using this organisation for your trips. Great communication via WhatsApp 10/10.

I
Isabelle et Jea... D
June 11, 2026
An unforgettable experience!

We had an amazing day that we are not likely to forget. Snorkeling like in an aquarium surrounded by hundreds of beautiful fish and swimming with dolphins, in a small group away from the crowds, with a very attentive team from Captain Barnaba focused on the well-being of the animals and a great respect for nature. Thank you again for these magical moments!

Q
Q9935HUdavido
May 12, 2026
Fun trip

It was fun I enjoyed every moment of it

8
839morenob
February 8, 2026
Fantastic.

Great day thanks to the team that accompanied us. They followed us carefully to safety with lifebuoys for any difficulties during snorkeling. Then they gave us the opportunity for several dives among the dolphins, moving with the boat near their passage. During the return the atmosphere was very pleasant with local songs in which we all participated together. Break with fresh fruit carefully prepared before returning. Very good.

O
O4219OSrogere
January 21, 2026
perfect day experience

absolutely a perfect day with a great captain and mate in the beautiful Indian ocean...the dolphins were out in force , the snorkeling site was full of fish and the meal cooked and prepared by the captain was a local seafood feast!!! I highly recommend this day experience and make sure to setup early so as not to miss this perfect experience

D
danaCalizor
January 2, 2026
Enjoyed snorkeling but a little dissatisfied

Overall I enjoyed the trip but I am not sure I got what was promised. First, we were saying in Stonetown so the operator organized our pickup early in the morning for $50 roundtrip. The price is what was quoted by other drivers and took a little over an hour. At the restaurant we were pretty quickly hustled on to a boat after a stop in a nasty bathroom. Our guide and boat captain were great and explained what we would do that day. There were four other guests on the boat. The equipment provided was adequate - flippers and mask. Our first stop was to jump in and swim along with dolphins. On this day there were lots of boats surrounding small pods of dolphins who were quickly swimming away. So this even was not very exciting. Our guides tried several times to give us chances to jump in. I am sure on some days this could be a great experience but I was a little disappointed. Next we moved on to the snorkel site Mnemba Island area. The coral looked dead to me and the area small. We jumped off the boat and we were able to see Nemo, Dory, Grouper, Zebra fish, Cornet fish, Rainbow fish, and Trumpet fish. Snorkeling was the best part. Lunch was next and again our team had given us delicious fruit for snack and made sure we had a good lunch. My children did enjoy their time on the boat which was comfortable. I was expecting to have time on a pristine beach and a large area to snorkel off the beach so I was disappointed that this is not what happened. I guess this is when the sandbar is available. I guess it would be nice to have another beach to visit when the sandbar is not available. I really appreciate the organizers who I think did the best they could.

Operator response

Thank you for your detailed feedback. We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the snorkeling, lunch, and the care provided by our guide and boat crew, and that your children had a pleasant time on the boat. We’re sorry that some parts of the experience, especially the dolphin encounter and the absence of beach time, did not fully meet your expectations. Dolphin activity and sandbank visits depend on natural conditions, and unfortunately these can vary from day to day. We truly appreciate your understanding and your helpful suggestion about offering an alternative beach when the sandbank is not available. Thank you again for recognizing our team’s efforts. We value your comments and will use them to improve our future trips.

E
einark386
November 28, 2025
Swimming with dolphins

Great experience. We swam with dolphins and had a great fruit platter in the end. Our captain was more respectful to the dolphins then many other boats we saw in the area.

A
Alejandro_S
October 23, 2025
Nature in its purest form

It has been a spectacular experience, swimming alongside dolphins and snorkeling in the coral areas of Nmemba is something to do er if you come to Zanzibar.

S
silviavU3877GV
October 13, 2025
Many dolphins spotted

We also booked transport to the pick-up point via Captain Barnaba. In the boat to the next boarding point to pick up 2 more guests. Then looking for the dolphins. Where all the boats are, so are the dolphins. You jump into the water and count. 😄. Then back in the boat and looking for more dolphins 🐬. We've seen a lot of them. Then on to a nice snorkel spot. Great! Then to a sandbar where the captain prepares a delicious fruit bowl. Bit of a shame that there are also all vendors (too touristy) but otherwise great. We had booked the whole day (6 hours) and were then dropped off on a beach for a fish lunch. Then you can relax on the beach to make time. Our driver was already there ready to take us back. Nice experience.

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