Tides, Moon Phases, and Unique Coastal Experiences in Zanzibar
Is There a Reason to Plan Your Vacation According to the Moon Phases? Yes, there is!
The tides in Zanzibar are shaped by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun, creating a captivating cycle that changes daily. During the full moon and new moon phases, the tides reach their extremes, producing "spring tides" where high tides are higher, and low tides are lower than usual. Because the tidal force of the Moon is more than twice as strong as the Sun's, the tides follow the lunar day, not the solar day. It takes half a lunar day, on average 12 hours and 25 minutes, from one high tide to the next, so we have high and low tides nearly twice a day, but the time changes every day.
In front of our hotel, this tidal rhythm reveals a stunning sandbank during low tide, especially during the full moon and new moon. This sandbank, usually submerged, becomes exposed and offers a unique opportunity to walk far out into the sea. At the edge of the sandbank, a vibrant coral reef awaits, making it an excellent snorkeling destination.
To access the sandbank, you’ll first cross a creek that always retains water, even at low tide. A short swim across the creek will bring you to the sandbank. While it’s possible to explore the sandbank when there is some water still standing on it, the experience is most magical when it is entirely dry.
But it’s not just the sandbank that makes the changing tides so fascinating. The constantly shifting shades of blue—from sky blue to turquoise—make the ocean truly captivating. Many of our guests say they spend hours simply gazing at the water, marveling at the sea’s ever-changing colors.
Not only are the varying shades of blue fascinating, but the moon phases are equally intriguing. During the full moon, the night is so bright that you can see all the way to the reef. In the days following the full moon, a special spectacle awaits: the moonrise. First, it becomes completely dark around 6:30 PM, and then, at approximately 8:15 PM, the moon emerges from the ocean. On subsequent days, the moonrise occurs about 45 minutes later each evening. Overview of the moon phases: https://www.timeanddate.com/moon/phases/
Sometimes, as it rises, the moon appears copper-red. This striking color is caused by sun light passing through Earth's atmosphere and reaching the moon. The long wavelengths of sunlight—particularly yellow, orange, and red—travel most effectively through the atmosphere, bending and creating the stunning hue of the moon.
Another fascinating phenomenon is that the moon appears much larger when it rises than when it is high in the sky. Why is that? There are various theories, but the most likely explanation lies in how humans perceive the sky.
We tend to see the sky not as a perfect hemisphere but as a flattened dome. As a result, the zenith—the point directly above us—seems closer than the horizon. This perception is reinforced by everyday experiences with clouds, airplanes, and birds: flying objects above us are generally closer than those near the horizon.
Our brain makes a reverse assumption: if an object at the horizon seems farther away, it must be larger to appear the same size as an object overhead. Consequently, our brain makes the moon at the horizon appear larger than when it’s at the zenith, even though the moon's actual size remains constant.
Just a 15-minute walk along the beach from the hotel, you’ll find the iconic restaurant The Rock. At high tide, the rock is surrounded by water, and the restaurant staff will ferry you to its entrance by boat. During low tide, however, The Rock sits directly on the beach, and you can walk to it. While both experiences are memorable, many visitors find the high tide visit more enchanting, as the sight of the rock floating in the ocean adds a magical touch.
In our restaurant, Zatiny by Matlai, you can enjoy your meal or drink near the water at one of the tables set on a small elevation right on the beach during high tide. At low tide, a romantic dinner directly on the beach becomes possible, offering an unforgettable dining experience.
Whether you’re exploring the sandbank or dining on the beach, the interplay of tides and moon phases adds an unforgettable charm to Zanzibar’s coastal beauty.