Visa is required to visit Zanzibar.  A single three-month entry tourist visa for your Zanzibar holiday can be requested from Tanzanian embassies and high commissions. Visitors flying directly to Zanzibar are able to purchase a visa on arrival at the airport, where the price is USD 50.

No vaccinations are required to travel to Zanzibar. If your trip involves a stopover of more than 12 hours in a country with risk of YF (Yellow Fever), such as Ethiopia and Kenya, then you will need to be vaccinated against yellow fever.
If your trip includes safaris, then antimalarial prophylaxis is advisable.
Mosquitoes are the main cause of infections in both Zanzibar and Tanzania, but they are also easily neutralized with a good repellent. Take a basic medical kit for treating insect bites, sun-stroke/dehydration and diarrhea.

The local currency in Zanzibar is the Tanzanian Shilling (TSh). US dollar are also widely accepted as payment throughout the island. Credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard are accepted at larger establishments.

Electricity is 230 V. Usually English-style sockets are used, with the possibility of borrowing convertors at your hotel reception, although it may be better to bring your own.

Local time is GMT + 3 during the winter season and GMT + 2 during the summer season.

Zanzibar International Airport is located in the historic Stone Town, the only airport on the island is served by flights from Nairobi and Dar es Salaam. Once you have arrived, take a taxi to your accommodation or enjoy the services of your hotel’s shuttle bus.

The tap water in Zanzibar is not safe to drink, so it is strongly recommended to stick to bottled water, which is widely available across the island. This includes avoiding ice in your drinks and eating salads which may have been washed in the tap water.

Light and loose clothes are recommended, better if from natural fabrics. The best shoes are flip-flops or sandals, however a firm pair of walking shoes is recommended for trips to the forest. Don’t forget a hat and sunscreen to protect yourself from the tropical sun.
Zanzibar is a conservative, predominantly Muslim society. Travelers are advised to dress and behave with respect to local customs and sensibilities. Women, in particular, should dress with shoulders and knees covered. Bikinis and minis are fine at hotels and resorts, but Zanzibaris appreciate modest dressing in the villages and towns. Likewise, men should not go shirtless and should dress conservatively. Nudity on the beach is not acceptable.