Prison Island & Nakupenda Sandbank

Two Islands, One Unforgettable Morning

This half-day boat excursion combines two of Zanzibar's most iconic offshore experiences. It begins at the Stone Town waterfront with a traditional wooden dhow or speedboat ride across the turquoise channel.

Prison Island (Changuu)

Prison Island was built in 1893 as a detention facility but was converted into a quarantine station before a single prisoner served time. Today it is home to a sanctuary of giant Aldabra tortoises — originally gifted from the Seychelles in 1919. Some of the tortoises alive today are more than 150 years old, making them among the oldest living animals on earth. The largest individuals weigh over 250 kg and move with a slow, prehistoric dignity. Under ranger supervision, visitors can feed and photograph them at close range.

Nakupenda Sandbank

A 15-minute boat ride further reveals Nakupenda — literally 'I love you' in Swahili — a pristine white sandbank that appears and retreats with the tide. At mid-morning low-to-mid tide, the sandbank is at its widest, surrounded by clear, shallow water ideal for snorkeling. A freshly prepared seafood lunch — grilled fish, octopus, prawns — is served on tables set up on the sand. The setting is, by any measure, extraordinary.