Zanzibar, famous for its pearly white beaches and clear blue waters, offers a special opportunity for adventurers and nature lovers: snorkeling with wild dolphins. With the Mermaid Experience choose an intimate, ethical and unique encounter with these beautiful animals. No mass tourism, but a tour in which respect for nature and hospitality are central. Read on and discover how the Mermaid Experience is the best choice for a dolphin tour in Zanzibar. Don't forget to watch the video of our tour!
Why choose the Mermaid Experience?
De Mermaid Experience is not just any snorkeling tour. This family business, run by a Ukrainian owner and her Syrian husband, is known for their warm hospitality and respectful approach. While many tours in Zanzibar chase dolphins and cause stress (we unfortunately saw this with our own eyes), The Mermaid Experience works with small groups and follows the animals in a natural, calm way. This was the main reason for us to choose The Mermaid Experience over other providers, and in retrospect it was a good choice.
What makes this experience extra special is the personal touch. From the comfortable, fast boats to a delicious lunch with fresh fruit and pastries – everything is taken care of down to the last detail. They really take the time for you and if it takes longer to find the dolphins, that is no problem. This combination of tranquility, professionalism and authenticity makes The Mermaid Experience the best choice on the island – I am now convinced of that.
How does the tour proceed?
The day starts early or at the end of the afternoon so that you can optimally enjoy the calm sea and have the best chance of spotting dolphins. After a warm welcome you will receive a short briefing, after which you will be given snorkeling equipment and board a luxury boat. The guides, who both speak excellent English, will accompany you to the most beautiful places around Zanzibar. You will mainly stay close to and within the reef, where the depth of the water is only 2 to 10 meters.
Once dolphins are spotted, it’s time for action: as soon as they are in sight, you get ready and wait for their signal. The captain will estimate roughly in which direction the dolphins are going and will try to let you into the water 50 to 100 meters before the dolphins. When you get the signal, you jump into the water and experience the magic of swimming among these intelligent animals. The experience is almost indescribable, but I think the video below gives a good impression of how special it is. I will not forget this tour anytime soon!
Ethical snorkeling: respect for nature
Zanzibar is a popular destination for dolphin tours, but unfortunately many animals are hunted by unethical operators. This leads to stress and disruption of their natural behavior. The Mermaid Experience is one of the few tours that does this differently. They respect the dolphins' habitat and ensure that the animals are approached completely at their own pace.
For you this means a more authentic and valuable experience. Instead of a hectic yacht, you feel part of the ocean world, which makes you enjoy the beauty of Zanzibar even more. Therefore, do not be tempted by tours that cost a few tens of euros less - both for your own experience and for the animals.
What to expect?
Besides snorkeling with dolphins, the tour also offers a lot of comfort and relaxation. After swimming/snorkeling with the dolphins, you can enjoy a delicious lunch on board with fresh fruits, pastries and cold drinks. The team creates a cozy atmosphere and shares interesting facts about the marine life around Zanzibar. After lunch, we also had time to snorkel at the reef, which made the experience even better.
This combination of adventure, education and relaxation makes the Mermaid Experience unique. It is not just an activity, but a fully catered day that you will remember forever.
Practical tips for your tour
- Book on time: The Mermaid Experience has a limited number of spots per tour to ensure quality. Send them a personal message via Instagram for a spot.
- sun protection: Use an eco-friendly sunscreen to protect the coral reef.
- Listen to the guidesTheir knowledge and experience ensure that you can enjoy yourself to the fullest without disturbing the dolphins.
- Bring camera: Make sure you have waterproof equipment to capture unforgettable images. We use a GoPro Hero 11 Black, which is waterproof to a depth of 25 meters as standard.
- Place: The Mermaid Experience is located at The Mora Hotel in the TGI dive center (Matemwe). Click here for location on Google Maps.
- Combine this tour with the all-inclusive holiday Zanzibar + safari from Corendon. You get a lot of value for your money with a high price/quality ratio. I have experienced it myself and can highly recommend it.
Enjoy a wonderful beach holiday, but also a great activity? This combination trip from Corendon offers a unique opportunity to enjoy Zanzibar and at the same time a 1 or 3-day safari on the mainland of Tanzania. We have experienced this trip ourselves and found it great.
- Affordable on Safari
- Spot the Big 5
- Enjoying beaches
- 4* All-inclusive
How much does the Mermaid Experience cost?
The Mermaid Experience offers a half-day dolphin snorkeling tour for $90 per person. This price includes snorkeling equipment, transportation by luxury boat and a delicious lunch with fresh fruit and pastries. It is a fair price for a personal, ethical and high-quality experience that you will not find anywhere else in Zanzibar.
In addition to the popular dolphin snorkeling tour, the Mermaid Experience also offers other adventure activities. Think of diving trips, getting your PADI certificate, jet ski excursions, island tours and kite surfing lessons. Whether you want to explore the underwater world or experience the island from a different perspective, they have something for everyone.
Check out the complete price list below to discover which activity best suits your travel dreams!
Check out the footage from our tour
Curious about what snorkeling with dolphins in Zanzibar looks like? Check out the footage of our unforgettable experience with the Mermaid Experience below. You want this too, right?
Why the Mermaid Experience Belongs on Your Bucket List
Snorkeling with dolphins is an activity that will make your trip to Zanzibar unforgettable. By choosing the Mermaid Experience not only provide an ethical and respectful excursion, but also a day full of adventure and relaxation. The warm welcome, the professional organization and the breathtaking nature together provide a unique experience.
Want to experience the magic yourself? Go to the Instagram page of @mermaid.experience and send them a personal message. Book your spot today and get ready for an unforgettable adventure!
When are you going to swim with dolphins in Zanzibar?
Enjoy a wonderful beach holiday, but also a great activity? This combination trip from Corendon offers a unique opportunity to enjoy Zanzibar and at the same time a 1 or 3-day safari on the mainland of Tanzania. We have experienced this trip ourselves and found it great.
- Affordable on Safari
- Spot the Big 5
- Enjoying beaches
- 4* All-inclusive
