Zanzibar’s Kizimkazi Dolphin Tour: A Detailed Review

Okay, so you’re thinking about going to Zanzibar and, likely, the Kizimkazi dolphin tour is on your radar, right? Well, this detailed review is all about sharing my experience, giving you the real deal, and helping you decide if it’s a “must-do” for your vacation. I’ll get into the specifics of what the trip involves, things that might affect your experience, and some tips I wish I knew before I went. Hopefully this will give you a much clearer picture of what to expect!

What Exactly Is the Kizimkazi Dolphin Tour?

Alright, so the Kizimkazi dolphin tour is primarily based in Kizimkazi, that’s a little fishing village at the southern tip of Zanzibar. People head over there because it’s known as a pretty reliable spot for spotting dolphins. Now, it’s almost more accurate to call it a “dolphin watching and possibly swimming” tour, but the big thing that you’re really signing up for, very often, is the chance to see these incredible animals in their place. These tours typically run in the morning, since that’s usually when the dolphins are most active and very often near the coast. Your boat ride will be in a locally made dhow or speedboat, then you’ll head out to find some dolphins!

My Experience Chasing Dolphins

Basically, the morning started super early, I mean really early, because the best chance to see dolphins is early, as they start fishing and playing then, of course. The boat, that was a simple motorized thing, set off as the sun was coming up – very picturesque to be honest. Pretty soon we saw a few other boats, all headed, apparently, to the same spot. After what felt like maybe thirty minutes, someone shouted, and very far away you could see a dorsal fin break the surface. And then another one. Aaaand a whole bunch more!

These were spinner dolphins, quite playful, that I spotted, and our boat, too it’s almost a bit frantically, maneuvered to get closer. Now this next part, it’s what I was both excited and a little apprehensive about, really. As soon as we got fairly close, the guides told us to get ready to jump in. Honestly, it was a bit of a free-for-all. Everyone piled into the water, splashing like mad, and trying their absolute best to get a glimpse of the dolphins swimming by. I caught maybe a fleeting look as one sped past, so quick! It all happened so fast, like in an instant really.

Then, back on the boat, we then repeated this process several times, chasing the dolphins as they moved. Each time it felt like a crazy sprint to see them, but the views, honestly, when you did spot them under the water, were amazing. It’s absolutely worth saying, though, that if you’re expecting some kind of serene swim with playful dolphins circling you, that this isn’t quite it. The whole experience is a pretty active and wild chase.

What to Expect From a Kizimkazi Dolphin Tour: Step-by-Step

Okay, so you may be wondering how it actually works, step by step? That’s completely understandable, very understandable actually, so here is what you can probably expect from the Kizimkazi Dolphin Tour:

• Early Start: Be prepared for an early start, somewhere in the neighborhood of 6 AM or 7 AM pick-up from your hotel or meeting point. That, typically, is to get to Kizimkazi before the dolphins head out deeper into the ocean.
• Briefing: Now, once you get to Kizimkazi, that’s likely you’ll get a very short briefing on dolphin behavior, plus some safety tips. But frankly, don’t expect an in-depth educational session.
• Boat Ride: Expect a boat ride, that might take around 30 to 45 minutes to where the dolphins tend to hang out. This, actually, is usually in a traditional dhow or a speedboat, but it’s dependent on the tour operator.
• Dolphin Spotting: Now, the guides know the area pretty well, that. They’re constantly looking for dolphins and communicating with other boats, so they will have a better shot at locating them.
• The “Swim”: That is that when dolphins are spotted, the boat stops, and you’re told to get into the water. The guides will usually shout instructions, as you try to swim to get a better look at the dolphins as they pass. This part is pretty quick, as mentioned above.
• Snorkeling (Sometimes): Some tours combine the dolphin watching, almost, with a bit of snorkeling at a nearby reef. Now that really depends on the tour package, of course, but if that’s something you’re wanting, confirm before booking.
• Return: That would be back to Kizimkazi, after the dolphin spotting and, if it’s an option, the snorkeling. It’s that the tour, overall, can take about three to five hours.

Things That Might Affect Your Experience

I can say for sure that lots of different things can affect just how much you may get out of the Kizimkazi dolphin tour, such as:

• The Season: The time of year absolutely makes a big difference. The dolphin sightings are more consistent during the drier months (June to October). That’s because the water clarity, usually, is better for spotting.
• Weather and Sea Conditions: Obviously rough seas or rain can make the boat trip, you know, uncomfortable and visibility under water very poor. The tour might be canceled entirely. Keep checking the forecast just before you go!
• Number of Boats: Sadly, Kizimkazi is now popular, it’s getting quite popular, which can lead to a lot of boats crowding the area where the dolphins are. This, as you might think, it can stress the dolphins and it makes the whole experience a bit less serene for everybody.
• Your Swimming Skills: Really be certain you’re comfy in the water, since there can be a bit of a rush to jump in and try to keep up with the dolphins. And it helps to feel more safe of course.

Is the Kizimkazi Dolphin Tour Ethical?

Let’s discuss something actually pretty serious, ethical tourism and its relationship with tours such as these. There’s that question hanging in the air: Is it morally acceptable? Concerns usually circle around a number of boats and tourists possibly disturbing the dolphins’ environment, as said previously. If there are that many boats pursuing the dolphins, that might certainly disrupt their habits and put undue stress on them.

Responsible tour companies are beginning to adopt a more ethical way of doing things, by keeping their distance, decreasing the number of swimmers at any given moment, and educating tourists on dolphin conservation, too. However, that is difficult to enforce. Check up on this: try choosing operators who have a real concern with sustainable practices; they often inform you on the correct behaviors for being around the dolphins, and they will also keep a good distance. Think about supporting the local economy, it’s so important to look out for these fascinating animals. Do some good in the community where you go to see the wildlife!

Snorkeling After Dolphin Watching: A Good Idea?

Now, lots of tours do give the possibility to blend dolphin watching with snorkeling. That could be, might I add, a great one-two punch of sea-based adventure! After your exciting swim-ish thing, or the observation of the dolphins, the boat sails away in the direction of a nearby reef.

The coral there could be reasonably colorful, yet keep your expectations reasonable; some say Zanzibar’s reefs aren’t quite as stunning as those that can be found in other parts of the world. Though still, it’s definitely fun seeing a different underwater scene, the little fish, or the starfishes. Make certain the tour operator furnishes decent snorkeling equipment, plus gives some fundamental safety guidelines. If you are really keen to make this experience particularly great, bring along your own mask and snorkel that you already are super-comfortable using!

What to Bring With You on the Tour

To have, nearly, the experience you were hoping for, don’t overlook any of the necessities! Here’s a quick rundown of what things that you probably should have with you:

• Swimsuit: I would argue this is fairly obvious, you should be wearing your swimming gear, or have it on underneath your clothes.
• Towel: It’s that after you hop out of the sea, you’ll be really happy to have a good absorbent towel to dry off.
• Sunscreen: Guard that skin! Zanzibar sunlight truly is intense, honestly. It’s very intense so apply that sunscreen liberally, and, more than that, frequently.
• Waterproof Camera or Phone Case: So that you can capture memories of those fleeting dolphin moments, you absolutely need to get a water resistant camera, as there’s a high probability it’ll get wet.
• Underwater Camera: Now if you want some real quality pictures from under the water, a GoPro or any underwater camera is a good idea.
• Reef-Safe Sunscreen: Standard sunscreen has chemicals that damage marine life; try to protect them with a reef-safe one!
• Cash: There might be an opportunity to buy drinks or small trinkets, of course, but for tipping the guides I would absolutely recommend bringing cash.

Is the Kizimkazi Dolphin Tour Worth It?

Okay, so, the major question: should you, potentially, go? Basically, I feel the Kizimkazi dolphin tour, that, is a bit of a mixed bag, actually. In terms of expectations, it does hinge so much on how much you actually expect it to be. Now if you’re imagining an individual experience, quietly, alongside the cute dolphins, you may end up feeling a little frustrated by how manic the whole thing is. The crowds and the brief encounters won’t amount to that tranquil experience that you had imagined.

If you approach it more as a lively wildlife viewing trip where a short peek underwater is more of a bonus, maybe, just maybe, you’ll find it more up your street. The opportunity to just observe dolphins in the wild certainly is magical. Please keep ethical tourism at the top of your mind and choose your tour operator wisely. Make a good decision. If supporting local communities, of course, and getting an exciting morning activity appeals, you could potentially find it a memorable part of your vacation to Zanzibar.

Tips for making the most of your Kizimkazi Dolphin Tour

I can certainly tell you to maximise this tour and have the most remarkable experience:

• Book in advance. I mean this is not just in peak season it may be crucial, you should be making early bookings especially, so this is one tip you cannot avoid
• Visit between June to October. That is the dry season as mentioned above and it does affect your view, so plan accordingly.
• Do not wear any jewellery and leave this in your hotel room. Honestly, this would cause issues to your skin while swimming and some wildlife you swim around may be disrupted by this too.