Nungwi weather in January
January in Nungwi: hot, a little rain, with clean air — fine if you can take sticky heat.
Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
#4 of 12 months in Nungwi · #275 of 1413 destinations to visit in January · comfort 87/100 (tier A)
- Days
- 28°C
- Nights
- 27°C
- Wet days
- 9
- Sun
- 10.7 h
- Humidity
- 79%
- Daylight
- 12 h
Traveller notes on Nungwi in January
Zanzibar forum threads describe January as the middle of the hot, dry season here - genuinely humid but with little rainfall, and posters rated January/February alongside July/August as some of the best windows for wind-driven water sports on the island. That said, regulars noted wind in Nungwi specifically picks up and drops off unpredictably through the year, making it impossible to count on rideable conditions every day even in a favorable month - Paje on the east coast was mentioned as generally more consistently windy than Nungwi. Kitesurfing infrastructure has expanded here too, with schools now operating directly out of Nungwi rather than only the traditional east-coast spots.
Other months in Nungwi
Forum posters describe September as excellent - falling within Zanzibar's dry season - with little to no rain and sea temperatures around 25-26C. Posters do note that early September's very dry conditions start giving way as the month progresses into the lighter 'short rains' that build through October-November, so the back half of September can see the occasional short, morning shower before clearing to a bright, sunny afternoon - nothing like the heavier 'long rains' that hit March-May. Since September counts as Zanzibar's cooler winter season, posters recommend packing a light sweater or pashmina for cooler evenings even though daytime beach conditions stay warm and comfortable.
Add your own note from Nungwi's card on the map.
Nungwi climate normals — January
Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.
Crowds in Nungwi in January
How busy the place itself is — school and mass holidays, the months an editor tagged, and how sought-after the weather makes them. Never part of the comfort score.
Peak crowdsKaskazi, the calm season, Christmas and New Year peak, December–January long break in Tanzania(estimated)
Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet
Best months for Nungwi's weather
Ranked by this destination's own climate comfort score across the year — a different thing from how busy it gets (see Crowds above).
Fair weatherNungwi's best weather comes in February, August and September — separate windows, not one continuous season.
Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather
What's on in Nungwi in January
Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.
- Season
Kaskazi, the calm season
1 Dec – 28 Feb · usuallyMonsoonCrowdedThe northeast monsoon brings hot, still weather and the flattest water of the year off the point, the easiest conditions for the dive centres and the busiest stretch on the beach.
- Holiday
Christmas and New Year peak
18 Dec – 5 JanChristmas & New YearCrowdedBook earlyThe fortnight around Christmas and New Year is the busiest and dearest stretch of the dry spell between the rains. Hotels, lodges and climbs book out months ahead, and many add festive supplements or minimum stays. Source ↗
Nearby, and something's on
Within 300 km of Nungwi — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.
Where is Nungwi?
Nungwi in January — FAQ
- Is January a good time to visit Nungwi?
- January in Nungwi: hot, a little rain, with clean air — fine if you can take sticky heat. It ranks #4 of 12 months for Nungwi on SeasonMap's comfort score (87/100).
- What is the weather like in Nungwi in January?
- In January, Nungwi averages a daily high of 28.4°C and a low of 26.8°C, with about 37.3 mm of rain over roughly 8.9 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in Nungwi in January?
- Nungwi has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 50 in January.
Within 300 km: Mombasa's Whale sharks off the coast around 1 Dec – 31 Mar, and Zanzibar's Kaskazi, the calm season around 1 Dec – 28 Feb.