Visit Zanzibar’s historic Prison Island home to giant tortoises turquoise waters and colonial ruins. Book your Prison Island tour from Stone Town today for Prison Island.Prison Island Snorkeling Adventure escape to Zanzibar's hidden gem this 4-hour tour takes you to Prison Island a tiny isle off Stone Town coast. Enjoy snorkeling, beach relaxation and history. 20-minute boat ride from Stone Town Explore the island's coral reef and marine life Meet giant tortoises and peacocks. Learn about the island's rich history and former uses Delicious lunch at the island's resort Perfect for swimming, sunbathing and snorkeling Don't forget your swim suit

⛵ Discover the Magic of Prison Island

Located just 5.6 kilometers about 20 minutes by boat from Stone Town, Prison Island – also known as Changuu Island – is one of Zanzibar’s most fascinating and popular half-day excursions.

Blending natural beauty, rich history and wildlife encounters, a Prison Island tour offers travelers a perfect mix of education, relaxation, and adventure. From its historic use as a quarantine station to its fame as the home of giant Aldabra tortoises, Prison Island is a must-visit destination.

🐢 What to Expect

- Meet the Giant Tortoises: See and feed Aldabra tortoises over 100 years old in the protected sanctuary.
- Explore Historical Ruins: Walk through the old quarantine station and learn about its colonial past.
- Snorkeling: Swim in turquoise waters and enjoy coral reefs full of marine life.
- Relax on the Beach: Unwind on the island’s white sands and take in views of Stone Town across the sea.

📍 Tour Start Point

Most tours start from Stone Town Beach where a traditional dhow or speedboat takes you to the Prison island in about 20 minutes.

🧭 What’s Included

🚤 Roundtrip boat transfer
🐢 Entry fee to the Prison Island and sanctuary
👨🏽‍🏫 Guided island and tortoise tour
🤿 Optional snorkeling equipment
🥥 Fresh fruit or water
🚐 Optional hotel transfer (extra charge)

🌴 Who Can Join?

Prison Island Tours are perfect for:

- Families with kids
- Couples and honeymooners
- History lovers and photographers
- Eco-tourists and animal lovers
- Cruise ship travelers on day excursions

🌍 Conservation-Friendly Tourism

Your Prison Island day visit supports the care and conservation of Aldabra tortoises. Please respect the sanctuary rules avoid touching or climbing on tortoises and listen to your guide for a safe and ethical experience.A relaxing day in Zanzibar Channel of the Indian Ocean is achieved when we visit the small isle off the Western Coast of Zanzibar Prison Island. This half day guided tour begins and ends at Stone town of Zanzibar. It is very historical Island just off the coast of Stone Town and it’s a quick of just 20 minutes boat ride trip from the old town’s waterfront Prison Island a relaxing and leisure Island It’s fringed with a lovely white sand beach and a small coral reef, making it ideal for a spot of snorkeling, Diving and sunbathing. You can hire masks and flippers before you depart stone town or once you have landed at the Island. The island, also known as Changuu Island ,Changuu means (Sea Patch fish) the type of fishes which were mostly caught by fishermen’s while fishing around this Island. The ISLAND first used by Arab slave merchants to detain unruly slaves,before the British built what was intended as a prison Jail for Stone Town in 1890.However the building was never utilized as a prison; though later it become a quarantine station for the East Africa Territory during erupt of Cholera diseases

📅 Best Time to Visit

The best months to visit Prison Island are during the dry seasons: June to October and December to February. Morning tours offer better snorkeling visibility and cooler temperatures.

📞 Book Your Prison Island Tour Now

Don’t miss one of Zanzibar’s top experiences! Whether you want to explore history, meet giant tortoises or just relax by the ocean Prison Island is the perfect half-day escape.