Ferry to Zanzibar

One of the ferries

 

My favorite way to get to Zanzibar is the Azam Fast Ferry. Flying is very cheap as well but the faff of the airport procedures can make the ferry a more desirable option. While there are several ferries that service Zanzibar, the safety and reliability can be extremely variable and thus I recommend Azam Fast Ferry. They are organized and professional amongst the relative chaos at the port.

I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to actually purchase tickets online for this trip. In the past you could reserve tickets but still had to enter their office to pay upon arrival. This doesn't sound like a huge deal but the port is one of the most hectic transport hubs in Tanzania. There are touts from several companies and no matter which mode of transport you take to arrive, your vehicle will be completely swarmed upon arrival. I assume the guys get a commission for every customer and the environment is peak aggressive salesman. People will grab your bags, your arms, try to separate your group, feed you misinformation, straight up lie about what is available; all tactics are on the table. There are a few notable transport hubs that I have frequented in my life that offer such chaos. 

If you've got your ticket you can get dropped straight at the gate. There is an initial ticket check and a short walk down to a security screening. There is not much organization so you have to be careful to ensure your bag is actually moving through the scanner and then jostle to pick it up on the other side. It is usually very hot in this part of the port and the area then opens up to the holding pen. There is a section in the back for economy, then a small area for business (with fans) and a separate self-contained air conditioned area for VIP tickets. They do a good job loading the ferry in an orderly fashion and it's rather quick to get onboard. 

The company has a few different ferries and they rotate throughout the many trips a day. From my experience it's totally worth it to get at least a business class ticket to allow for interior seating with air conditioning. The deck can be alluring but the reality of the sun, wind and waves is less than romantic. And one still has access to the deck if you want to stroll around. We have purchased the "VIP" tickets when business class is sold out and although the chairs are much larger and more comfortable, in my opinion it's not so much different than business class.

I've taken probably three different ferries and all the seats are comfortable and spacious. There is a small stall selling beverages and snacks, kudos to Azam for vertical integration as all the soft drinks are Azam brand. 

The ferry takes about 1:45 to complete. It always feels like a little longer than what I remembered but the time passes quickly especially if the seas are calm. The disembarking procedure is equally as quickly and relatively orderly. Overall the ferry is a great way to cross back and forth between Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam.

Inside the lounge in Zanzibar, much better than the Dar side

Outdoor seating isn't bad

Business class seating is nice!