Zanzibar Prison Island Boat Tour: Nature, History and Adventure Combined in a Relaxing Trip
4.2
56 Ratings
Zanzibar
Embark on a Zanzibar Prison Island Boat Tour and experience the perfect blend of nature, history, and adventure. Explore the beautiful beach, feed giant Aldabra tortoises, and snorkel in the Indian Ocean. Discover the intriguing story of the island's past as a prison and quarantine station for yellow fever cases.
Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Prison Island - Changuu Private Island - You will see giant aldabra tortoise and feeding them also old prison which was never used. The British First Minister of Zanzibar, Lloyd Mathews, purchased the island in 1893 and constructed a prison complex there. No prisoners were ever housed on the island and instead it became a quarantine station for yellow fever cases.
What's Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off in Stone Town
  • Traditional boat ride included
  • Complimentary mineral water
  • Guided by an experienced professional
  • All service entrance fees covered
What's Not Included
  • Expenses of a personal nature
  • Guide tip
Additional Information

Experience a peaceful blend of nature, history, and adventure on the tour. Bask in the stunning beauty of the pleasant beach, feed the huge Aldabra tortoise, and snorkel amongst vibrant fishes and corals in the Indian Ocean channel. The small isle, a short sail from Stone Town, is accessible via a 30-minute motorboat journey to ‘Prison’ island. Purchased in 1893 by the British First Minister of Zanzibar, Lloyd Mathews, a prison was built on the island but never served its intended purpose. Instead, it became a quarantine station dealing with yellow fever cases.

Location
Mizingani Seafront Hotel
Mizingani Road
Meeting point is near the house of wonder opposite to forodhani park
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.2
(56 Ratings)
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Brabgw
Dec 31, 2023
Amazing experience - My guide Luckman did an excellent job- very informative and concerned for my safety and wellbeing. I highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Roam27872591428
Nov 28, 2023
Amazing! - We had the best guide and captains! They were so sweet, informing and suuuper helpful. A 5/5 experience
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Samira_d
Nov 27, 2023
Bucket list 🇹🇿 - Zanzibar 🇹🇿🩵🤍 visiting the island was awesomely fun, the guide Fatima company and the driver was friendly and enjoyable, funny haha , prison island and the turtle sanctuary + snorkelling was a good experience ,the trip was well organised and on time 🙏 joyful trip with you thank you ❤️❤️
Review provided by Viator
Cynthia_l
Nov 17, 2023
Memorable Tour - This was Ann Excellent tour and we had an excellent tour Guide. This price for this tour was well worth the money and was half the cost offered by the Cruise Line. 👍🏾
Review provided by Viator
Tundaexcursions
Apr 23, 2024
Prison Island or Turtles Island - Prison Island the place is wondering about the slave before going to slave market in stone town were keeping in in Prison and choose if the slave have gotten skin deases are not going to slave market in stone
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Catherine_w
Mar 6, 2024
Big and little tortoises and peacocks - very nice - The boat trip was good in a small motor boat. I think the fort and the prison were most interesting and also there were lovely views of the coast, very photogenic. The tortoises and their babies were fascinating, also the peacocks and the general flora and fauna of the island.
Review provided by Viator
Forchettas
Jan 22, 2024
It's not worth it - It's not worth it...the poor turtles are attacked by hundreds of tourists who touch them. I absolutely did not like this experience, neither from an environmental nor an organizational point of view.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pearlt662
Nov 6, 2023
Not the best experience - The guide did not explain the history of prison island well. After verifying with Google it seemed the story was incorrect. We were left at the tortoise place alone while others had a guide. It felt as if we did not have a guide. Our tour was also shorter than expected - 3 hours we finished in 2 hours. No mineral water was provided and snorkeling was only proposed after we asked.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
690tinek
Feb 22, 2024
Unsafe and not with a proper guide onboard! - This was a complete rip off. The guide from Zan Archepelago Tours and Safaris met us at our hotel and walked us to a local boatsman, who then took us out to the sad turtle island, where one gets the feeling that it's not really a sanctuary - it's a poorly kept petting zoo. The so-called "guide" that the boatsman had with him, had very limited knowledge of English, and the two had nothing to do with Zan Archepelago Tours. I could have paid 1/10 of the price directly to the boatsman, if I had wanted a plain haggling tour like this. I am super disappointed and had a very unprofessional experience, where our bench broke due to high seas and I also had to insist on them bringing life jackets for us! Once we started the boat trip, they realised that only one jacket was functional. They borrowed equipment for us through another boatsman. All in all a complete haggle and a complete fraud. Don't go on a boat trip with this company if you want a professional experience, that's for sure.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lexan-fotodesign
Oct 3, 2023
Not worth seeing - The only thing that is being done with the poor animals is profit. Many of the turtles appeared to be sick. Their eyes were crusted over, they barely had any water to drink from, and the water hole that was there was too small and slimy.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
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