Safari Blue Full-Day Dhow Experience – From Central and East hotels

Safari Blue Full-Day Dhow Experience – From Central and East Hotels

Enjoy a full day exploring Zanzibar’s Menai Bay with Cruzeiro Safaris. Travel aboard a traditional dhow, snorkel in the Indian Ocean, relax on a sandbank and enjoy a seafood lunch on Kwale Island. Return transfers from your Central or East hotel, an English-speaking guide, snorkelling equipment, fruit and soft drinks are included.

Tour Overview

• Destination: Menai Bay and Kwale Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania.
• Tour type: Full-day dhow excursion with snorkelling, a sandbank visit and an island lunch.
• Pickup: Your confirmed hotel in Zanzibar’s Central or East area.
• Drop-off: Your pickup hotel, unless otherwise agreed.
• Transport: Return hotel road transfers and a traditional dhow excursion.
• Guide language: English.
• Meal: Seafood lunch on Kwale Island.
• Refreshments: Fruit and soft drinks.
• Minimum booking: Two adults.
• Timing: Full-day excursion; exact pickup and return arrangements are confirmed after booking.

Detailed Itinerary

1. Hotel Pickup and Transfer to the Departure Point

Begin your day with collection from your confirmed Central or East hotel. Travel by road to the dhow departure point, where you will meet the excursion team and receive an introduction to the programme.

Your pickup time depends on your hotel location and the confirmed boat departure. Please be ready at the meeting point stated in your booking confirmation.

2. Board Your Traditional Dhow

Board the traditional wooden dhow and settle in for your journey through Menai Bay. Before departure, the crew will explain boat safety, the use of available safety equipment and the arrangements for entering and leaving the water.

Enjoy views of the coastline, islands and surrounding ocean. The route and order of stops are selected according to tides, weather and sea conditions. Sailing under canvas depends on suitable wind conditions; motor assistance may be used.

3. Guided Snorkelling Stop

At a suitable snorkelling location, receive your included equipment and a briefing on its use. Enter the water under the excursion team’s direction and explore the marine environment, with opportunities to observe fish and coral where visibility allows.

Snorkelling is optional. Tell the team about your swimming ability before entering the water and follow their instructions throughout the activity. Guests who prefer not to snorkel may remain aboard as directed by the crew.

Marine life sightings and underwater visibility vary with natural conditions. Avoid touching coral, collecting marine organisms or disturbing wildlife.

4. Sandbank Visit and Refreshments

Continue to a sandbank where conditions permit landing. Spend time enjoying the white sand, taking photographs and relaxing beside the ocean. Swimming may be possible in areas approved by the crew.

Fruit and soft drinks are included during the excursion, with service arranged by the team. The sandbank’s exposed area and the time available ashore depend on the tide.

5. Seafood Lunch on Kwale Island

Travel to Kwale Island for your included seafood lunch. Enjoy a break ashore and time to appreciate the island setting before continuing the day’s programme.

The exact menu depends on the excursion operator’s arrangements and ingredient availability. Please advise Cruzeiro Safaris of seafood allergies, vegetarian preferences or other dietary requirements before booking so suitable alternatives can be checked and confirmed.

6. Island Leisure Time and Further Bay Exploration

After lunch, enjoy the time allocated for relaxing and viewing the island surroundings. Any additional island walk, lagoon stop or swimming opportunity applies only where included in the confirmed programme and suitable on the day.

Your guide and crew will explain the remaining activities and departure time. Follow their instructions so the group can return according to the boat schedule.

7. Return Dhow Journey

Reboard the dhow for the return journey through Menai Bay. Enjoy the ocean scenery as the crew navigates back to the mainland departure point.

The return route and use of sails depend on wind and sea conditions. Wildlife encounters, including any dolphins seen during the journey, are incidental and cannot be guaranteed.

8. Transfer Back to Your Hotel

On arrival at the mainland, meet your road transfer for the journey back to your Central or East hotel. Your final arrival time depends on the boat programme, sea conditions, traffic and hotel location.

What Is Included

• Return hotel transfers from the confirmed Central or East hotel.
• Traditional dhow excursion through Menai Bay.
• English-speaking guide.
• Snorkelling equipment.
• Fruit and soft drinks.
• Seafood lunch on Kwale Island.

What Is Not Included

• Tips and gratuities.
• Personal expenses, including optional purchases.

Booking Conditions and Child Rates

Rates are valid for travel from 1 January to 31 December 2027 and are subject to availability. A minimum booking of two adults is required. Children are charged 75% of the applicable adult package price. Please provide children’s ages when requesting your quotation so suitable arrangements can be confirmed.

What to Bring

• Swimwear, a towel and a change of clothes.
• Sun protection, sunglasses and a secure sun hat.
• Footwear suitable for boat boarding and shore landings.
• A waterproof bag for your phone, camera and valuables.
• Money for optional purchases and tips.

Important Information

This excursion involves boat boarding, shore landings and optional water activities. Please advise Cruzeiro Safaris of mobility requirements or swimming limitations before booking so suitability can be assessed.

The route, sandbank access and water activities depend on tides, weather and sea conditions. Snorkelling and swimming are optional, and children must be supervised by their accompanying adults.

Exclusive use of the dhow or a private departure is included only where expressly confirmed in your booking. Your final confirmation will specify the departure arrangements and included activities.

Book with Cruzeiro Safaris

Send your preferred travel date, Central or East hotel name, number of adults and children, and any dietary or accessibility requirements. Cruzeiro Safaris will confirm availability, the quotation, pickup time and final excursion arrangements.