Prison Island Tour in Zanzibar
Itinerary Summary
Item | Detail |
Minimum prices | $25 per person... more prices |
Schedule | 09:00 to 12:00 (time flexible) |
13:30 to 16:30 (time flexible) | |
Starting point | Stone Town Waterfront |
Termination point | Stone Town Waterfront |
Key activities | Sightseeing, snorkeling, playing with tortoises |
Main attraction | The Prison, the giant tortoises, the beach |
Memo | Do not ride the tortoises |

Prison Island also known as the Changuu Island lies about 30 minutes by boat from the Zanzibar Island. The prison thereon was never used to house prisoners. The Prison Island Tour in Zanzibar will take you there.
The island was once used by an Arab slave trader to contain the more troublesome slaves he had brought from the African mainland to prevent their escape before shipping them to the Arabian purchasers, or for auctioning in Zanzibar slave trade market. The slaves were dumped on the island.
What the Trip Includes
Visit the prison
In 1893, Lloyd Mathews built the prison. The prison idea was to send violent criminals from the Tanganyika mainland to the Prison Island. The Prison Island ended up being used as a quarantine center, instead of a prison, for yellow fever epidemics that once raged through the region. Prison Island remained in the ownership of the government which converted the newer quarantine buildings into a guest house.

See and play with the giant tortoises
The old prison still remains standing, providing shelter for some of the giant tortoises which can now only be found on this island, and the cells.

Snorkeling
After the tour there's a snorkeling option for those who'd like to get wet. A great addition to the program especially for those touring with childten.

Prices for Prison Island Tour
Categories | Basic | Premium | Plus |
Adult | $30 | $45 | $55 |
Child (5-10) | $25 | $40 | - |
Baby | - | - | - |
Group from 5 | $25 | $40 | $50 |
Snorkeling | $10 | $10 | $10 |
Single supplement | $5 | $5 | $5 |
Price Inclusions | |||
Tour guide (English) | |||
Entry: Prison Island | |||
Boat, skipper, crew | |||
Bottle of water | |||
Soft drinks | - | ||
Alcohol (adults only) | - | - | |
Lunch | - |
Pick-up and drop off would be calculated for you separately depending on your location.
Transfers Special Discount
🎁 All transfers within the 2km radius from the tour site are completely free of charge. This is applied immediately upon booking. No coupons or offer codes necessary. Click here for more offers and discounts. |