Sail to Changuu Island to meet century-old giant tortoises, explore historic 1893 ruins, and snorkel in pristine turquoise waters.
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Hand-picked experiences loved by thousands of travelers
Explore UNESCO Stone Town and the historic Giant Tortoise sanctuary on this private tour.
Professional guided tour of Stone Town and Prison Island with high-quality service.
A scenic boat ride to Changuu Island to uncover the intriguing history of Prison Island.
Interact with giant Aldabra tortoises and snorkel in stunning blue island waters.
Personalized tour led by a multilingual local guide with over 10 years of expertise.
A half-day trip to Prison Island featuring a visit to the giant tortoise sanctuary.
A full-day adventure featuring Nakupenda Sandbank, a BBQ lunch, and Stone Town tours.
Private tour covering the Spice Farm, Stone Town, and Prison Island's top attractions.
A magical walking tour of Stone Town paired with a giant tortoise encounter.
The ultimate day trip combining Stone Town history, a Spice Tour, and Prison Island.
All the details about your upcoming adventure in one place
Located just a scenic 30-minute boat ride from the shores of Stone Town, Prison Island (officially Changuu Island) offers a captivating blend of dark history and incredible wildlife preservation. Originally utilized as a holding facility for rebellious slaves in the 1860s, the island was later purchased in 1893 to build a prison complex that ironically never housed a single inmate. Instead, it served as a vital quarantine station for yellow fever across British East Africa. Today, the island is most famous for its thriving sanctuary of Aldabra giant tortoises—originally a gift of just four tortoises from the British governor of the Seychelles in 1919. Visitors can walk among these majestic, century-old creatures, gently feed them, and learn about local conservation efforts. Surrounded by vibrant coral reefs, the island also provides excellent opportunities for snorkeling and relaxing on pristine white-sand beaches, making it one of Zanzibar's most popular half-day excursions.
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June to October is widely considered the best time to visit due to dry, sunny weather and calm ocean conditions perfect for the dhow crossing and snorkeling.
Lightweight, breathable cotton or linen fabrics|Swimsuit worn underneath your clothes for easy transitions|Sturdy water shoes for walking from the boat to the shore|A light cover-up for the boat ride to protect from the strong equatorial sun
First used in the 1860s by Arab slave owners to contain rebellious slaves, the island was later purchased in 1893 by British First Minister Lloyd Mathews. He commissioned a prison that was completed in 1894 but never housed any criminals. Instead, it became a crucial quarantine center for yellow fever and cholera for ships arriving in East Africa. The famous tortoise colony began later, in 1919.
Flexible cancellation policies are available on most bookings. Enjoy peace of mind with full refunds offered for cancellations made up to 24 hours before the tour start time. Always check the specific terms on the booking page.
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Real experiences from real travelers
Booking this tour through the platform was so easy and the experience was magical. The boat ride from Stone Town was quick, and seeing tortoises that are over 150 years old was incredibly humbling. Highly recommend booking a private guide!
We booked the combo tour with Nakupenda Sandbank. The history of the quarantine station was fascinating, and the beach BBQ afterwards was the absolute highlight of our trip. Great value for money and perfectly organized.
The sanctuary is amazing and the guides are very knowledgeable about the history of the 1893 prison complex. It got quite busy by mid-morning, so I suggest booking the earliest departure time possible to enjoy it in peace.
We were hesitant about negotiating boat prices at the beach, so booking this through a verified partner was a huge relief. Everything was organized perfectly, from the prompt hotel pickup to the provided snorkeling gear.
Our kids absolutely loved feeding the gentle giant tortoises. The guide explained the history of the island brilliantly without making the slavery history too dark for the children. Highly recommend for families!
Fascinating history. To think it was built as a prison in 1893 but never used as one! The traditional boat ride was a bit choppy on the way back, but the captain handled it like a pro. Make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen!
The tour operator we booked with was fantastic. We had plenty of time to explore the old quarantine buildings, see the beautiful peacocks, and snorkel in the warm ocean. A beautiful, stress-free day out.
Don't just do Prison Island alone—book the full day combo with the Spice Farm and Stone Town. We saw so much in one day and our guide was exceptional. The secure booking process gave us great peace of mind.
Everything you need to know for your journey
The boat ride from Stone Town to Prison Island (Changuu Island) typically takes about 20 to 30 minutes. You will travel in a traditional motorized wooden dhow, which offers beautiful views of the Zanzibar coastline along the way.
No, the Aldabra giant tortoises are not native to Zanzibar. They are originally from the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles. The colony began in 1919 when the British governor of the Seychelles gifted four tortoises to Zanzibar.
Yes, visitors are allowed to gently feed the tortoises using the specific vegetation (usually cabbage leaves) provided by the sanctuary caretakers. However, you are strictly prohibited from sitting on them, riding them, or feeding them outside food.
Despite its name, the island never actually functioned as a prison. A prison complex was built by the British First Minister in 1893, but it was never used to house inmates. Instead, the buildings were repurposed as a quarantine station for yellow fever cases in East Africa.
Dress comfortably in light, breathable clothing suitable for tropical weather. Since you will be walking on uneven natural paths and sand, wear sturdy sandals or water shoes. Bring a swimsuit and a quick-dry towel if you plan to snorkel, and don't forget sun protection like a hat and reef-safe sunscreen.
Many tours include time for snorkeling in the coral reefs surrounding the island, and operators typically provide masks and snorkels. However, it's essential to check the specific details of the tour you book, as some shorter express tours may only focus on the tortoise sanctuary and historical ruins.
A standard standalone tour of Prison Island takes about 2 to 3 hours, including the boat transfers. If you want to make a full day out of it, we highly recommend booking a combo tour that lasts 6 to 8 hours and includes lunch at Nakupenda Sandbank or a walking tour of Stone Town.
Absolutely! One of the most popular packages is the full-day combo tour that visits Prison Island in the morning, followed by a short boat ride to the stunning Nakupenda Sandbank for snorkeling, relaxing, and a fresh Swahili seafood BBQ lunch. You can easily compare and book these combo options through our platform.
Yes, the trip is generally very safe. The motorized dhows used by our verified tour partners are required to carry life jackets for all passengers, including children. The waters between Stone Town and the island are usually calm, but captains are trained to handle changing ocean conditions.
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