Ask most people when to visit Zanzibar and you’ll hear the same answer again and again:
“Go in the dry season – June to October – or over Christmas and New Year.”
That’s what the guidebooks say. That’s when prices are highest. That’s when the island is busiest, and when Instagram is full of the same Nungwi and Kendwa beach photos on repeat.
But if you talk to people who actually live here on the island, you’ll often get a very different answer.
The most beautiful, peaceful and underrated months in Zanzibar are actually March and (early) April.
This is what I’d call Zanzibar’s secret season:The trade winds calm down, the lagoon on the east coast turns to glass, the light gets softer, the beaches empty out, and the island settles into a slower rhythm – just before the heavier long rains start in May.
And if there’s one place that captures this season at its best, it’s Boutique Hotel Matlai — a boutique property offering luxury seafront accommodation in Zanzibar — tucked into a quiet stretch of Michamvi-Pingwe on the east coast.
I’ve spent years exploring Zanzibar’s coastlines. If you’re looking for a time and place where it feels like the island belongs to you, this combination – March/early April + Matlai – is hard to beat.
What March & April in Zanzibar Really Feel Like
Most people hear “April” and instantly think “rainy season = bad weather”.Reality is more nuanced.
- March is usually hot, bright and calm
- The ocean often looks like a sheet of turquoise glass in the mornings
- Sunrises on the east coast are spectacular and often cloud-streaked, not grey
- The wind drops compared to some other months
- The beaches in Pingwe/Michamvi are almost empty
- Rains typically build up later in the end of April, and often in short, intense bursts
Is the weather 100% predictable? No – it’s the tropics.But this time of year has a special feel: warm evenings, calm seas, and a slower island tempo, without the high-season crowds or high-season price tags.
For travelers who don’t need a “perfect brochure month” and instead want space, quiet and atmosphere, March and early April are a sweet spot.
Why Zanzibar’s East Coast Shines in Secret Season
Zanzibar is not one single long beach; different coasts have different moods.
The east coast – especially around Michamvi-Pingwe – is:
- Less built-up than the north
- Dominated by small hotels and guesthouses, not big all-inclusive resorts
- Framed by wide tidal beaches and shallow lagoons
- Oriented perfectly for sunrise rather than sunset
In March and early April, this area takes on a very special character:
- The lagoon settles into calm, shallow water – ideal for paddling, kayaking and snorkeling
- The colors of the sandbanks and reef stand out more clearly when the light is softer
- With fewer visitors on the island, the beach in front of Matlai often feels private
That’s the key: not just nice weather, but space.The sense that you’re not sharing your getaway with ten buses of other tourists.
Boutique Hotel Matlai: Six Rooms and 10,000 m² of Tropical Garden
If you imagine a 200-room resort with pool games and a DJ – Matlai is the exact opposite.
This is a true boutique property:
- Only six rooms split across two villas
- Set in around 10,000 m² of mature tropical gardens
- All facing the Indian Ocean and the offshore sandbank
- Direct access to a quiet stretch of beach with mainly other small lodges around
What this means in real life:
- No fighting over sunbeds
- No all-inclusive frenzy around the bar
- No shouting over music at breakfast
- Staff who actually remember your name and preferences
In March and April, with fewer people on the island, that intimacy becomes even more noticeable. It can feel less like “staying at a hotel” and more like being invited into a private coastal home with a full team quietly looking after you in the background.
Why Secret Season Is So Romantic
Zanzibar is marketed heavily to honeymooners and couples – and with good reason. But peak periods can be surprisingly busy, even on a smaller island.
March and early April are ideal if you want the romantic parts of Zanzibar without the intensity of peak season.
At Matlai, this looks like:
- Candlelit dinners on the sand or in the garden where you barely see another table
- Slow breakfasts until 12:00 on your terrace, watching the tide slide out over the reef
- Private picnics on the sandbank when the tide is right
- Floating breakfasts or sunset dips in your own villa pool (in Villa Kidosho)
- Outdoor cinema setups on warm, still evenings
The calmer wind and warmer evenings mean you’re not wrapped in a shawl by 8 pm. You can sit outside, listen to the tide, and actually hear the island.
Villa Kidosho: A Private Two-Bedroom Seafront Villa
If you want privacy turned up a notch, Villa Kidosho is the star.
It’s a two-bedroom beachfront villa that works perfectly for:
- A family with children
- Two couples traveling together
- Friends celebrating something
- A couple that simply wants extra space and exclusivity
- Guests who want a private base for post-Ramadan or Eid travel
What it offers:
- Two en-suite bedrooms facing the sea
- Your own private swimming pool
- A dedicated terrace and garden area
- The same access to Matlai’s services – just with more privacy
- The option to arrange private dining and tailored experiences
In March and April, when demand drops and prices are softer, Kidosho can be incredible value for the level of privacy you get.
Traveling During Ramadan: Quiet, Respectful, and Surprisingly Relaxed
Depending on the year, Ramadan often overlaps with March and/or April. On a predominantly Muslim island like Zanzibar, that changes the island’s rhythm in a way many visitors actually enjoy.
During Ramadan:
- Days feel quieter and more reflective
- The absence of big parties and loud events amplifies the peaceful side of the island
- As sunset approaches, you hear the call to prayer and see locals preparing to break the fast
- After dark, places quietly come back to life with food, family gatherings and community
At Matlai, the team is used to guests traveling during Ramadan and can:
- Adapt mealtimes to your preferences
- Arrange private, gentle evenings for those who are fasting
- Offer a calm base for Muslim travelers who want a respectful environment
Then, once Ramadan ends, Eid travel picks up, especially from Gulf countries. March/April can therefore be attractive both during Ramadan for maximum quiet and after Ramadan for celebrations in warm weather.
What You Can Actually Do in March & April
You’re not coming just to sit in a room – even in secret season.
From Matlai in March and early April, you can still do almost everything Zanzibar is known for:
- Snorkeling in the calm lagoon or on nearby reefs
- Kayaking and stand-up paddling when the water is flat
- Low-tide sandbank walks right in front of the hotel
- Spice farm visits and Stone Town day trips when you want a change from the beach
- Sundown cruises in the late afternoon light
- Spa treatments in the garden or on your terrace
If and when the long rains start to arrive later in April, they often come as strong but short downpours, followed by clear skies and saturated colors – the kind of dramatic weather photographers love.
Why You Still Need to Book Ahead (Even Off-Season)
“Off-season” doesn’t mean “always empty” – especially at a place with only six rooms.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Matlai often hosts longer stays, so a single booking can block a villa for over a week
- Repeat guests know about the March/April secret and sometimes book specifically for this period
- Private villa takeovers of Kidosho over Ramadan or Eid can block half the inventory in one go
So while you don’t have the pressure of Christmas/New Year, it’s still smart to plan ahead if you have fixed dates.
Final Thoughts: The Season Nobody Talks About (But You’ll Be Glad You Discovered)
If you want the most “Instagrammed” version of Zanzibar, you can follow the crowd in peak months.
If instead you want:
- Warm, calm ocean
- Empty or nearly empty beaches
- Soft, photogenic light
- More space at a truly boutique property
- Better value for rooms and private villas
- A quieter, more authentic island rhythm
- The option to travel during or just after Ramadan in a respectful, relaxed setting
…then March and early April at Boutique Hotel Matlai are hard to beat.
Zanzibar has a high season that everyone knows about.But it also has a secret season that locals quietly love.
If you catch it at Matlai, you’ll understand why.
