Zanzibar Prison Island Boat Tour: Nature, History and Adventure Combined in a Relaxing Trip

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: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Prison Island - Changuu Private Island - At Prison Island, also known as Changuu Island, you will explore a historic site with a fascinating past. Originally built as a prison, the island now serves as a sanctuary for giant Aldabra tortoises, some over a century old, where you can interact and take photos with these gentle giants. Walk along the…
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

This tour offer an immersive blend of historical and wildlife experiences. Guests have the unique opportunity to interact closely with giant Aldabra tortoises, some over a century old, and explore the island’s rich history through detailed stories from knowledgeable guides. Additionally, the tour provides a chance to relax and snorkel in the island’s…

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
4.1
(59 Ratings)
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Suzanne_m
Sep 19, 2024
Solo prison island tour - Luckmani was great. Very knowledgeable and offered to take photos. As a solo female traveler i had no concerns regarding safety. Great tour
Review provided by Viator
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
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
Watty0157
Sep 16, 2024
Rubbish! - Absolute rubbish and not worth the US$35 cost (boat and entry fees). 10 minute boat ride each way in a dingy, with about 1hr on the island viewing a few broken down ruins, and turtles kept in disgraceful conditions. My guide spent 90% of the time talking on his phone and still expected a tip at the end. Absolute waste!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
B7113oqalicer
Jul 29, 2024
very disappointed - Really disappointed.The island contains only a small area for giant tortoises that arent monitored or well kept.People passing by often sat on the tortoises breaching animal cruelty laws.It was very sad to see and completely after seeing this outrageous view believe they should be sent back to there natural habit.Apart from the tortoise area there wasn’t much to see the museum and bar are well kept but again very small attractions.The prism does not have any correlation with the island and was disappointed.Dont waste your time on this fraud.
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
From $55
up to 15 guests
1 Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).