Pool day passes in Zanzibar
Compare pool day passes in Zanzibar, Tanzania, from $5 at Fumba Beach Lodge to $100 at Kilindi. Prices, inclusions, and how to book direct.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book an overnight stay, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I earn nothing from day pass bookings. Full disclosure.
Zanzibar's day pass market is thin compared to Bali or the Riviera, and most of the island's big all-inclusive resorts don't sell pool access to outsiders at all. The properties that do split into two extremes: Kilindi Zanzibar in Kendwa runs a full-service luxury pass with lunch and drinks included, while Fumba Beach Lodge on the quieter southwest coast charges a flat, no-frills entry fee.
Prices run from $5 per person at Fumba Beach Lodge up to $100 per person at Kilindi. The Bali Resort Zanzibar and Essque Zalu Zanzibar both offer day access too, though neither publishes a fixed rate online, so expect to confirm pricing by phone or email before you go.
Most Zanzibar hotels require advance booking for day passes rather than walk-up entry, and several properties cap daily numbers to keep the pool from feeling crowded with non-guests. Confirm your slot the day before, especially in the July-to-September and December-to-January high seasons.
- Kilindi Zanzibar — from $100/person, infinity pool with a three-course lunch and open bar
- The Bali Resort Zanzibar — pool access plus 15% off spa and dining, price on request
- Essque Zalu Zanzibar — from about $20/person, clifftop pool overlooking Nungwi's reef
- Fumba Beach Lodge — $5/person, shaded pool and quiet beach on the southwest coast
Planning a trip to Zanzibar? Here are the tools I use and recommend:
How much does a pool day pass in Zanzibar cost?
Pool day passes on Zanzibar range from $5 to $100 per person. The gap comes down to inclusions: Fumba Beach Lodge sells bare pool and beach access, while Kilindi bundles a full lunch, drinks, and beach amenities into its rate.
| Hotel | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Kilindi Zanzibar | From $100/person | Luxury lunch and open bar |
| The Bali Resort Zanzibar | Price on request | Pool plus spa and dining discount |
| Essque Zalu Zanzibar | From about $20/person | Clifftop pool over the reef |
| Fumba Beach Lodge | $5/person | Budget pool and beach |
Do I need to book a Zanzibar day pass in advance?
Yes. Zanzibar's day passes are capacity-controlled, and most hotels turn away walk-ins once that day's allotment is full. Kilindi Zanzibar requires an online enquiry form submitted in advance, and staff confirm your slot before you arrive. The same applies at Essque Zalu Zanzibar and The Bali Resort Zanzibar, where a phone call or email the day before secures your spot and lets the hotel arrange transport if you need it.
Can non-guests use hotel pools in Zanzibar?
At a handful of properties, yes, but it's the exception rather than the rule on this island. Large all-inclusive resorts like Riu Palace Zanzibar, Park Hyatt Zanzibar, and Melia Zanzibar don't publish day pass policies and generally reserve pool access for overnight guests. The four hotels above are the ones that have confirmed, or strongly signaled, that non-guests can buy pool access. For any other Zanzibar hotel, call ahead rather than assuming you can walk in.
Where to stay in Zanzibar
Where you base yourself depends on what kind of island trip you want. Nungwi and Kendwa on the northwest tip have the best swimmable beaches, since the tide doesn't recede the way it does further south, plus a livelier social scene. Zuri Zanzibar in Kendwa is a good pick here, a boutique beachfront property on a calmer stretch than the busier Nungwi strip.
If you're after Zanzibar's boho, kitesurfing side, Paje on the southeast coast is the spot, with beach cafes and a laid-back crowd built around the lagoon. Xanadu Villas Zanzibar puts you right on that lagoon in private villas, useful if you want space and a kitesurf launch on your doorstep.
For the cultural side of the island, Stone Town is the only real choice, with its coral-stone architecture and spice-trade history rewarding at least a night or two before you head to the coast. Emerson on Hurumzi occupies a restored Swahili merchant house in the old town and is the most atmospheric base for exploring it.
Kilindi Zanzibar
Kilindi sits on a bluff above Kendwa Beach on Zanzibar's northwest tip, with an infinity pool that looks straight out over the turquoise water. It's the island's most polished day pass, built for a full afternoon rather than a quick swim.
The Serenity Day Pass runs from $100 per person, all taxes included. That covers a three-course a la carte lunch, beverages from the resort's cocktail, wine, and beverage menu, pool and beach access, and use of cabanas, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards. Spa treatments cost extra.
Booking is by advance enquiry only, there's no walk-in option. Submit a request through the hotel's contact form and staff will confirm your reservation and any transport arrangements before your visit.
Book direct: kilindizanzibar.com/day-pass — or call +255 784 250 630
✅ DON'T FORGET TRAVEL INSURANCE!
SafetyWing is an affordable subscription travel insurance that you can purchase without knowing your itinerary in advance and even after departure.
>> Click here for info and current pricing <<The Bali Resort Zanzibar
The Bali Resort sits on the southeast coast at Bwejuu, a quieter stretch of beach than the busier Nungwi and Kendwa strips up north. Its pool is the centerpiece of a small, independent property rather than a sprawling resort.
The hotel's Day Pass gives you the swimming pool for the day plus a 15% discount on spa treatments and on food and drink at the restaurant and bar. The hotel doesn't publish a fixed day pass rate online, so confirm current pricing when you enquire.
Reach out through the resort's contact form or by email to arrange your visit. This is a lower-key option than the island's luxury resorts, useful if you want a pool and a discounted lunch without the full-service price tag.
Book direct: thebaliresortzanzibar.com/offers — or call +255 775 204 040
Essque Zalu Zanzibar
Essque Zalu sits on a rocky outcrop in Nungwi, at the island's northern tip, with a pool that steps down toward the reef below. It's one of Zanzibar's better-known luxury properties, and guest reviews describe buying day access without an overnight stay.
Reported day pass pricing runs from about $20 per person for a food-and-drink credit up to around $70 per person for full facility access including the pool, though neither rate is published on the hotel's own site, so treat these as estimates pending confirmation. Ask specifically about pool and beach access when you call, since terms can vary by season.
Because pricing isn't listed online, book by phone or email rather than expecting an online reservation form. Staff can confirm the current rate and what it includes before you commit.
Book direct: essquehotels.com — or call +255 778 683 960
Fumba Beach Lodge
Fumba Beach Lodge sits on Zanzibar's southwest coast, about 30 minutes from Stone Town and well off the busy northern resort strip. It's a small, 26-cottage lodge, and its day pass is the cheapest confirmed rate on the island.
Day access costs $5 per person and covers the pool and beach for the day. The pool area is mostly shaded, which makes it a comfortable midday option when the sun is at its strongest, and the beach here is calmer and less crowded than Nungwi or Kendwa.
There's no formal online booking page for day visitors, so call or email ahead to check availability, particularly if you're arriving as part of a larger group.
Book direct: fumbabeachlodge.com — or call +255 777 876 298
Frequently asked questions
Does Park Hyatt Zanzibar sell day passes?
No published day pass policy exists for Park Hyatt Zanzibar in Stone Town, and its 18-metre pool is generally reserved for overnight guests. The same applies to big all-inclusive resorts like Riu Palace Zanzibar and Melia Zanzibar. If you want a pool day near Stone Town, contact the hotel directly to ask, but don't count on a standard day pass product.
Do children pay full price for a Zanzibar day pass?
Pricing for kids isn't published for any of the four hotels above, unlike destinations with a mature day pass market where child rates are standard. Ask about child pricing when you book, since Kilindi and Essque Zalu in particular cater to a mostly adult luxury crowd and may not have a set discount.
What should I bring to a Zanzibar pool day?
Bring reef-safe sunscreen, since Zanzibar's beaches sit close to living coral reefs and standard sunscreen is discouraged at several properties. A cover-up for the walk between pool and restaurant areas is useful at the more formal resorts like Kilindi, and cash in Tanzanian shillings or US dollars helps for any extras not on your pass.
More pool day passes near Zanzibar
Zanzibar's day pass scene is still developing compared to more established Indian Ocean destinations. For a market with more choice and confirmed pricing at every property, Grand Baie in Mauritius runs a similar mix of luxury and casual beach club passes, with rates published directly on both hotels' sites. Both islands share the same appeal: warm water, white sand, and a resort pool you can book for the day without staying the night.