Surfing in Zanzibar (Low Season)

8 Days, Multiple Departures

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Surfing in Zanzibar (Low Season)
  • About
  • Gallery
  • Location
  • Things to keep in mind

Surf Trips for all Levels
We surf different spots suited for all level surfers.

Wide Range of Gear
From beginner soft tops to shortboards and everything in-between, we got you covered.

Experienced Guides
Our experienced surf guides and surf instructors will ensure a safe and fun surfing experience in Zanzibar.

All inclusive
All our surf trips include a free shuttle, boat ride, gear rental, surf guiding or group surf lessons, Marine Park Entrance Fees, snacks & water

Why is Zanzibar still an unknown surf destination?

Waves in Zanzibar are not easy accessible, you can not surf all day long, winds and tides play a huge role in the quality of waves and the list goes on. Zanzibar as a surf destination has not yet peaked major interest because surf times are restricted and consistency is not guaranteed. The island archipelago of Zanzibar is also quite chancy for waves, which means the knowledge of where to go is an essential and surfing without a guide not really much of an option. Swell and wind directions are vital to get any form of decent wave to surf as well as tides and moon faze. Different sections on the reef break on different conditions and some are really worth the boat trip out for a surfing session and others not at all.

What else should I know about surfing conditions in Zanzibar?

Surfing lessons and surf trips need to be well timed, as surfing in Zanzibar is limited to 1.5 – 3 hours of good surf a day. The reason being are the big tidal changes on the island. Surfing lessons need to be timed to the pushing mid tide to get the beginner surf spot working at its best. The more advanced surfing spots start to work with the last hour of the dropping tide and best over low tide and the first push after the tides change but again this depends on the moon phase as the drop can have heavy currents.

So should you really choose Zanzibar as your next surfing destination? Yes and no. Yes for anyone who is a beginner up to low level intermediate who wants to learn and improve in a beautiful warm water destination with consistent beginner friendly conditions and no hustling huge crowds. Yes also to all the intermediate and advanced surfers who are chasing fun waves and good vibes and are up for a mix of surfing, relaxing and exploring holiday. No for all those who want to surf from morning till evening, have an easy accessible wave and can just grab a board and paddle out whenever they feel like.

About

7 Nights Accommodation

Breakfast

Airport Pick Up (One Way)

5 Surf Lessons (incl. Boat Trip, Transfer, Group Lessons, Snacks, Marine Park Fee)

1 hour SUP rental

$2 Infrastructure Tax per person per night (paid upon arrival)

Gallery
About The Host

We offer top-class customer service and courses for Kite Surfing, Wave surfing, and Stand Up Paddle boarding as well as a friendly, welcoming atmosphere that represents the “Surfer” lifestyle. The team is made up of professional water men/women from Tanzania and all around the world with specialized skills and several languages to cater to a diverse clientele.

Location
Things to keep in mind

Booking & cancellation policies?

Spots can be reserved without payment until 1 month prior to your trip.

For booking closer than 1 month to the date the spots are only confirmed once payment is received.

For bookings including accommodation a deposit is due right after reservation and the balance 1 month prior to your stay.
Cancellation Terms:
– 1 month or more prior to the date: Free Cancellation
– 1 month – 2 days prior to trip: 80% refund
– 1 day prior to trip (before 16:00): 60% refund
– 1 day prior to trip after 16:00, Day of trip or no show: non-refundable
In case you have to cancel last minute due to illness we can provide a receipt for your travel / health insurance.

Change of Date of Booking (for example due to sickness):
– free of charge until 16:00 the day before the trip if availability allows rebooking for another date
– after 16:00 or on same day of trip (only possible if spot can be filled last minute and if availability allows, otherwise normal cancellation policies apply)

Refunds:
Refunds will be done using the same method as your payment method.
For Crd Refunds: The refundable amount minus the 5% transaction charge will be refunded.

Booking Terms and Conditions


Booking

When booking a course, a contract is made when the booking is confirmed by Activ Retreats either in writing, email or verbally. In the case of late telephone bookings, when written/e-mail confirmation is not possible in time then the agreement is a verbal contract. When making a booking with Activ Retreats you are confirming that you have read and agree with these terms and conditions. Exceptions to these terms and conditions cannot be made for any reason as we run an extremely high quality, tight margin program with limited spaces.

Special Terms: Booking Shared Kite lessons as Solo Person

If you booked a shared kitesurfing course as a solo booking we will try our best to find a student matching your level and dates to join your shared course. If we are unable to match you with another student, the shared course will be converted to a private course of same value (Ex. 9Hrs Group Lesson equal 5 Hrs Private Lessons).

Payment

Your Booking is only confirmed once Payment is received. Payments are done via our Online Payment Page. Payment instructions will be sent in a separate mail after receiving your booking.

Please note that a 5% Transaction Fee is to be added to your total bill if your booking is less than 7 Days prior to you starting date. For advanced bookings the transactions fee will be covered by us.

Changing your booking

Activ Retreats will make every effort to arrange any changes requested after the booking has been confirmed, providing that there is at least 24 hours notice. Any changes are subject to availability of course and trip dates. In the case where your group size drops in numbers from the original booking we must receive notification of this in due time either via phone or email.

Change of Date of Booking (for example due to sickness):

– free of charge until 16:00 the day before the trip only if availability allows rebooking for another date

– after 16:00 or on same day of trip (only possible if spot can be filled last minute and if availability allows, otherwise normal cancellation policies apply) **

Cancellation Terms:

– 1 month or more prior to the date: Free Cancellation

– 1 month – 2 days prior to activity: 80% refund

– 1 day prior to activity (before 16:00): 60% refund

– 1 day prior to activity after 16:00, Day of activity or no show: non-refundable **

– Participants that fail to show will be charged in full for the trips and/or lessons, no exceptions.

Please note that your travel insurance may provide a full refund if the reason for your cancellation falls within the terms of your policy and as such we recommend clients take out a suitable insurance policy prior to booking a trip with us. In case you have to cancel last minute due to illness we can provide a receipt for your travel / health insurance.

** Note for Last Minute Cancellation for any reasons: We can sometimes allow Re-Booking for a Fee of minimum $25 per person depending on the booked activity if availability allows. This policy is up to the discretion of the Company.

Refunds:

Refunds will be done using the same method as your payment method.

For Card Refunds: The refundable amount minus the 5% transaction charge will be refunded.

Course Participation Liability and Other Important Information

The activities of surfing, snorkelling, kitesurfing, underwater wing and boat excursions carry a degree of risk both to people and property, even if enjoyed under proper supervision by qualified instructors. All participants must make us aware of any medical conditions, illnesses or allergies they may have and any prescribed medication they are taking. No-one should participate in any of Activ Retreats activities if they are suffering from a heart condition or if they are pregnant. All participants must complete an enrolment form before they will be allowed to take part in any listed activities. Parents or guardians must sign for participants who are under 18 years of age. In certain groups where applicable a group leader/ Guardian can sign. i.e. .Schools a teacher can sign on behalf of the group. Activ Retreats does not accept any liability for any loss caused by failure to complete the declaration.

All participants must be able to swim at least 25 metres and must in no circumstances be under the influence of any alcohol, drugs or medication at the time of the lessons, trips or excursions which may adversely affect their physical abilities. All participants must agree to abide to all instructions and decisions that Activ Retreats and its instructors make. Participants will have the use of Activ Retreats equipment during their lessons. Whereas Activ Retreats takes all reasonable measures to ensure the safety and good condition of that equipment, participants are responsible for immediately reporting any damage caused to the equipment or which becomes apparent whilst the equipment is in their possession.

Any damages that are present on the equipment before they are issued to you will be pointed out and noted. If in the case the equipment receives significant damage (lost fins, broken pieces, dings larger than 10 cm, snapped or creased boards) or becomes lost the participant agrees to pay the replacement and/or repair fees determined by Activ Retreats.

Activ Retreats does not seek to limit or exclude any liability for personal injury or loss of life which may occur as a result of its own negligence or that of its employees, officers or agents, however, Activ Retreats assumes no liability in respect of any personal injury, loss, damage, consequential loss or third party claims which occur through no fault of its own, its employees, officers or agents. All other liability or conditions implied by law are excluded to the fullest extent possible.

Surf conditions

In the rare event that Activ Retreats considers conditions to be unsuitable for your activity we will make all efforts to reschedule your lesson or trip. If the trip is underway and the conditions become unsuitable Activ Retreats will determine the value of activities undertaken and will be charged accordingly. Due to summer time demand there is a slight chance we may not be able to reschedule and in this case no charge will occur.

Brochure and website accuracy

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of Activ Retreats' brochure and website it is intended only as a guide to the services it provides and Activ Retreats is relieved of any liability due to any errors or omissions it may contain, or any minor discrepancies between the brochure or website’s content and that service. Any likeness or image of you secured or taken on any of our trips and lessons may be used by us without charge in all media for genuine promotional or marketing purposes. This includes promotional materials of any kind, such as brochures, leaflets, videos and the internet. If you would prefer not to be used in any promotional materials please inform us in writing prior to your trip.

Prices

The prices printed on this website/form are valid at the time of publication. Activ Retreats reserves the right to increase or reduce any of these prices any time after publication.

Law and Jurisdiction

These conditions form a contract between us which will be construed in accordance with Tanzanian Law and it is agreed between us that each will submit to the jurisdiction of the Tanzanian Courts.

This retreat is structured across three distinct seasons, which are outlined as follows:

High Season (Dec-Mar, Jul & Aug)

Shoulder Season (Sept/Oct)

Low Season (Jun)