Zanzibar ferry : Zanzibar island is a popular tropical destination found in Tanzania known for its white sand beaches and so much more and taking a ferry to Zanzibar is among the ways which you can access the island during a Tanzania Safari Tour.
The amount of time it takes for a ferry to cross from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar island is about 2 hours. The ferry from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar operates at different times of day taking people to the island.
The ferry rides take place on the Indian ocean which links the island of Zanzibar to the mainland.
Ferry timetable for Azam Marine
Azam Marine has a fleet of 8 vessels which operate across different destinations including Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Tanga and Pemba.
The earliest time of the day that the ferry departs from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar island is 07:00 am. The ferry also operates between Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar at 09:30 am, 12:30 pm and also at 04:00 pm.
There is also a ferry from Zanzibar to Pemba which operates on certain days of the week such as Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 07:30 am. On Sundays the ferry from Pemba to Tanga operates at 14:30 pm.
The ferry from Pemba to Zanzibar sets off at 07:30 am on Thursday, Friday and Sunday and on Tuesday the ferry operates at 09:00 am. From Tanga to Pemba the ferry operates at 23:00 pm on Monday.
When using Azam Marine to travel in economy class, adult nonresidents are charged a fee of 35 USD for those above 10 years and children below 10 years are charged a fee of 25 USD. Residents in economy class are charged a fee of 25,000 Tanzania shillings for those above 10 years and children below 10 years are charged a fee of 15,000 Tanzania shillings.
For business class, nonresidents above 10 years are charged a fee of 40 USD and children below 10 years are also charged a similar fee while resident children below and above 10 years of age are charged a fee of 35,000 Tanzania shillings.
When traveling in the VIP section, nonresidents above 10 years are charged a fee of 60 USD for both adults and children and residents are charged 60,000 Tanzania shillings for both adults and children.
Another class of travel on the ferry operated by Azam Marine is the royal class which charges 80 USD for nonresident adults and children and 80,000 Tanzania shillings for adults and children who are residents.
Ferry from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar island using Zan fast ferries
Another company which operates ferry from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar is Zan fast ferries. It also operates in other destinations including Pemba.
Zan fast ferries offer passenger service, charter service, promotion services, parcel services and cargo services. They also have wifi, entertainment, snacks, lounge, mobile charging ports, kiosks and also wheel chairs.
Terms and conditions of booking the ferry with Zan fast ferries include booking tickets in advance with proper documents and also registering the mobile number, arriving for boarding about an hour early with original travel documents. Smoking and drinking while on board is prohibited and this also applies to carrying of alcohol.
For cancellation and asking for a refund of the ferry ticket, an individual is required to inform the offices at least 30 minutes before departure. In regards to payment, children below the age of 5 years are not charged ferry fees, children aged between 6 to 12 years are charged a fee of 15,000 Tanzania shillings for residents and 25 USD for nonresidents.
Depending on the class chosen for the ferry ride, children aged above 12 years are charged a fee of 25,000 Tanzania shillings for residents and 30 USD for nonresidents and the different classes which Zan fast ferries has include silver, gold, platinum and VIP.
Payment for the ferry
When paying fees for the ferry from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar island, foreigners are charged in US dollars and foreign residents with permits or exemption certificates can pay the ferry charges in Tanzania shillings.
For Tanzanian citizens, they are required to carry a form of identification to prove their citizenship when booking the ferry from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar island. It is also recommended that travellers make bookings for the ferry from the offices and not from the streets.
Terms of travel by ferry
There are different restrictions put in place when travelling by ferry from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar island and they include the following;
The amount of luggage which each passenger is allowed to carry is 25 kg and any extra amount of luggage is charged when taking eh ferry to Zanzibar island.
Taking of alcohol during the ferry ride to Zanzibar is also prohibited and this also applies to carrying alcohol.
In cases of missing the ferry to Zanzibar, there is no refund given to an individual. For cases of cancellation of the ferry ride prior communication is to be made to the office 2 hours from the time of departure.
For online bookings, confirmation is only considered when payment for the ferry ride has been made.
Other way of accessing Zanzibar island during trips to Tanzania include flight. The airport which is used for flights to Zanzibar is called Abeid Amani Karume international airport. From the airport you can take public or private means to different places on the island.
