Zanzibar or Mauritius in August?
On climate data, Zanzibar comes out ahead overall in August. See the per-criterion details below.
ZanzibarPhoto: Morten Idriss Nygaar… · CC BY-SA 3.0
MauritiusPhoto: "dronepicr" · CC BY 2.0Key figures in August
| Criterion | Zanzibar | Mauritius |
|---|---|---|
| Day | 27 °C ★ | 24 °C |
| Night | 24 °C ★ | 22 °C |
| Sea | 26 °C ★ | 24 °C |
| Rainy days | 5 rainy days ★ | 6 rainy days |
| Sun | 7 h/day ★ | 6 h/day |
Winner by travel type
Trade-offs
- Zanzibar is about 3 °C warmer by day.
- The sea at Zanzibar is about 2 °C warmer.
Zanzibar or Mauritius in August: the short answer
In August, Zanzibar comes out ahead on the overall climate score (Zanzibar 91/100 vs Mauritius 90/100). That is a snapshot of one month, though — which one truly fits depends on what you want from the trip, so the breakdown below goes criterion by criterion.
Across the whole year Zanzibar averages a climate score of 79/100, Mauritius 81/100. Both profiles below are historical monthly averages, not a forecast.
Weather in August, side by side
By day, Zanzibar sits near 27 °C and Mauritius near 24 °C — warmer in Zanzibar. At night it is roughly 24 °C versus 22 °C.
On rain, Zanzibar sees about 5 rainy days in August and Mauritius about 6 — drier in Zanzibar. Zanzibar gets more sunshine (7 vs 6 hours a day).
Sea temperature and swimming
In August the water is about 26 °C at Zanzibar and 24 °C at Mauritius — warmer for swimming at Zanzibar. Over the year, Zanzibar is comfortable for swimming (from ~21 °C) in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December, Mauritius in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December. Peak sea warmth is March for Zanzibar and February for Mauritius.
Rain and sun across the year
Over a full year Zanzibar records roughly 101 rainy days and Mauritius about 123 — the drier of the two overall is Zanzibar. At their sunniest, Zanzibar reaches about 8 hours of sun a day (October) and Mauritius about 9 (December). If dependable dry, sunny weather is your top priority, weigh these annual totals alongside the single month above.
Best time to visit each
Climatically, Zanzibar is at its best in June, July, August and September, while Mauritius peaks in July, August, September and October. If your dates are fixed, pick the destination whose strong season overlaps them; if you are flexible, plan around these windows.
Which suits which kind of trip
Based on the August scores for each travel style:
Beach & swimming: Zanzibar scores higher in August.
City breaks: Mauritius scores higher in August.
Active & hiking: Mauritius scores higher in August.
Family: Zanzibar scores higher in August.
Verdict: which should you pick?
There is no single winner — it depends on your month and your priority. For August specifically, use the head-to-head above; over the year, Mauritius carries the slightly higher overall climate score. Choose Zanzibar if its strong months and profile match your plan, Mauritius if its do. The month-by-month pages for each destination give you the full picture before you book.