What to wear in Zanzibar: respectful and practical
Zanzibar is a relaxed place and a conservative one. Beachwear is fine at the hotel. Away from it, covering up a little shows respect and makes daily life easier.
The simple rule
Swimwear belongs on the hotel beach and by the pool. In Stone Town, in villages and on local beaches used by families and fishermen, cover your shoulders and knees. This applies to men and women.
In Stone Town and the villages
- Loose trousers, long skirts or shorts to the knee.
- Tops or shirts that cover the shoulders.
- A light scarf is useful for women, for sun and for visiting religious sites.
- Sandals are fine.
On the beach
Swimwear is accepted on hotel beaches and around resort pools. Topless sunbathing is not acceptable anywhere on Zanzibar. Cover up with a kaftan, sarong or shirt when you walk off the hotel beach or through a village.
Packing list
- Clothing
- light cotton or linen, long and loose
- For the beach
- swimwear, cover-up, sarong
- For the reef
- reef shoes, rash vest
- Sun
- hat, sunglasses, reef-safe sun cream
- Evenings
- a light long-sleeved layer
Practical notes
- Reef shoes. At low tide, much of the east coast is shallow coral and sea urchins.
- A rash vest protects you from sunburn when snorkelling and reduces the need for sun cream.
- Mosquito protection. Long sleeves and repellent in the evening.
- During Ramadan, dress more conservatively than usual in public.
Questions we get asked
Knee-length shorts are generally accepted. Very short shorts or no shirt are not.Can men wear shorts in Stone Town?
Not in general. Women may be asked to cover their hair when visiting a mosque or religious site.Do I need a headscarf?
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