Independent operator guide
Zan Fast ferry schedules and booking
Zan Fast is an important alternative on the Dar es Salaam–Zanzibar crossing and also publishes regional links to Pemba and Tanga. This page keeps that operator-specific search intent intact without repeating the complete ferry guide.
Published network
Dar–Zanzibar is only part of the route map
Zan Fast's official service information describes four daily trips between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. It also lists two daily Zanzibar–Pemba services except Friday, two weekly Pemba–Tanga services and a Dar es Salaam–Pemba route. A published frequency is a planning reference, not confirmation that every departure is sold on every date.
| Route | Operator-published pattern | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Dar es Salaam ↔ Zanzibar | Four daily | Selected-date time, class, vessel and terminal |
| Zanzibar ↔ Pemba | Two daily except Friday | Mkoani arrival, operating day and available class |
| Pemba ↔ Tanga | Two weekly | Day, intermediate stops and total journey time |
| Dar es Salaam ↔ Pemba | Route listed; timetable varies | Whether the result is direct or routed via Zanzibar |
Checked against Zan Fast's official service information on 23 September 2026. The selected-date booking result and ticket confirmation govern.
Date-specific schedules
Do not build a connection around an evergreen timetable
Marketplace results commonly place a Dar–Zanzibar sailing between roughly one hour and ninety minutes, but departure times and journey duration can change by date and operation. Search the exact travel day, then save the terminal and reporting instruction from the confirmation.
For Pemba, use Mkoani as the passenger-port destination when searching. A generic “Pemba” route can refer to a place outside Tanzania on some booking systems. Regional sailings have fewer recovery options than the main crossing, so missing one can affect an entire itinerary.
Fleet and cabin choice
Expect differences between vessels
Zan Fast publishes a fleet that includes Zanzibar 1 and Zanzibar 2, each listed for 475 passengers; Zanzibar 3, listed for 615; and Sea Star 1, listed for 1,300. Capacity does not tell you which vessel will operate a specific ticket, and operators can substitute equipment.
Cabin names and layouts should therefore be checked on the exact booking result. Choose the class for its documented seating and comfort, not because an unrelated image suggests a particular interior. All classes remain subject to the same sea and weather conditions.
Changes and disruption
Act before the scheduled departure
Zan Fast's official guidance says a change should be reported at least two hours before departure. Requests made after the vessel has left are not accepted for rescheduling or refund. Read the fare conditions attached to the purchased ticket and use the support route named there.
The operator also notes that weather can affect schedules. If the ferry connects to an expensive flight, a safari or a limited regional sailing, leave enough time for a delay rather than relying on the shortest published crossing time.
Booking decision
Compare the actual sailing, not only the operator
Search by direction and date, then compare Zan Fast with the other available departures on timing, class, final price and change terms. A useful departure protects the rest of the day; it is not automatically the cheapest or earliest result.
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