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, sunbathing
Main attraction The Prison, the giant tortoises, the Nakupenda sandbank
Memo Do not ride the tortoises
prison island tour zanzibar The island.

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.

prison island tour zanzibar The prison.

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.

prison island tour zanzibar Giant tortoises.

Nakupenda Sandbank and 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. You could either choose to snorkel at Prison Island or extend your trip to the famous Nakupenda Beach and snorkel there.

nakupenda beach zanzibar Sunbathing and snorkeling at Nakupenda beach.

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
Snorkel at Prison Island $10 $10 $10
Nakupenda sandbank package $20 $20 $20
Dafu coconut and fruits $5 $5 $5
Price Inclusions
Tour guide (English)
Entry: Prison Island
Boat, skipper, crew
Bottle of water
Alcohol (adults only) - -
Lunch -

Pick-up and drop off would be calculated for you separately depending on your location.

Book a Prison Island Tour

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