Safari Blue Day on Zanzibar: Sandbanks, Reefs and Seafood

Safari Blue is a well-known one-day boat trip off the south-west coast of Zanzibar. This page summarises how an archived listing described it, as general information about the area.

How the day goes

Guests are collected from their hotel in the morning and driven to Fumba village in the south-west corner of the island. There they meet a guide and board a boat.

The outing has three highlights:

1. Sandbanks. The boat stops at sandbanks in clear water, where soft white sand makes for a pleasant swim.
2. Coral reefs and lagoon. Snorkelling over reefs and a natural lagoon shows tropical fish.
3. Kwale island picnic. A seafood lunch includes dishes such as lobster, octopus, prawns, calamari and kingfish. Afterwards there is time to relax on the beach before sailing back to Fumba and returning to Stone Town.

What to bring

• Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and a rash guard.
• A towel and dry clothes.
• Snorkel gear if you prefer your own.
• Cash for tips and drinks, if needed.

Responsible snorkelling

Do not touch coral or feed fish, and avoid standing on reefs. Choose operators that limit group sizes. If you would rather fish than swim, see the game fishing summary.

Good to know

Sea conditions and tides decide the exact order of the stops, so keep flexible. Children are usually welcome if they are comfortable in the water, and non-swimmers can generally stay on the sandbank or boat. Remember to drink plenty of water, as the sun on the water is strong.