Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank
Tortoises, then a sandbank barbecue
- Location Changuu Island and Nakupenda Sandbank, Zanzibar
- Duration Full day, approximately 7 to 8 hours
- Tour type Private or shared
- Availability Daily, tide dependent
Price on request Send the form and we reply with a firm quote, usually within a few hours.
Overview
A full day at sea, pairing the island’s most famous wildlife with its most photographed sandbank.
The morning boat takes you across to Changuu Island, better known as Prison Island. There your guide introduces the colony of Aldabra giant tortoises, some more than a century old, and walks you through the 1893 prison and quarantine buildings. There is time to feed the tortoises, photograph them and hear the story of how they arrived from the Seychelles.
From there the boat sails on to Nakupenda Sandbank, a strip of white sand surrounded by shallow turquoise water and nothing else. Your shade tent is set up and a seafood barbecue is served with tropical fruit and soft drinks. The rest of the afternoon is yours: swimming in exceptionally clear water, snorkelling the reef nearby, walking the length of the bank or lying in the shade.
The boat returns to Stone Town in the late afternoon, and your driver takes you back to your hotel.
Highlights
- Aldabra giant tortoises on Changuu Island
- The 1893 prison and quarantine buildings
- Sail on to Nakupenda Sandbank
- Seafood barbecue served on the sand
- Swimming and snorkelling in clear, shallow water
- Shade tent, fruit and soft drinks included
Itinerary
- 08:30
Hotel pickup
Collection and transfer to the Stone Town seafront.
- 09:30
Boat to Changuu Island
A thirty-minute crossing to Prison Island.
- 10:00
Tortoises and prison ruins
Guided visit to the tortoise colony and the historic buildings.
- 11:30
Sail to Nakupenda Sandbank
On to the sandbank, with a snorkelling stop on the way when conditions allow.
- 12:30
Seafood lunch on the sand
Barbecue lunch under your shade tent, with fruit and soft drinks.
- 14:00
Free time
Swim, snorkel, walk the sandbank or rest in the shade.
- 15:30
Return
Boat back to Stone Town and transfer to your hotel.
What is included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Boat transfers throughout the day
- Island and sanctuary entrance fees, all taxes
- Professional guide and boat crew
- Snorkelling gear and life jacket
- Seafood lunch on the sandbank
- Tropical fruit and soft drinks
- Shade tent
Not included
- Lunch and drinks, where not listed as included
- Personal shopping and souvenirs
- Gratuities for your guide and driver
- Travel insurance
- Anything not named under what is included
- Alcoholic drinks
Pickup and meeting point
Pickup time: Around 08:30, adjusted to the tide.
Meeting point: Hotel reception, then the Stone Town seafront.
We collect from these areas:
- Stone Town
- Zanzibar City
- Maungani
- Nungwi
- Kendwa
- Matemwe
- Kiwengwa
- Pwani Mchangani
- Uroa
- Pongwe
- Chwaka
- Michamvi
- Paje
- Jambiani
- Makunduchi
- Kizimkazi
- Fumba
- Mangapwani
What to bring
- Swimwear worn under your clothes
- Towel
- Reef-safe sun cream
- Hat and sunglasses
- Waterproof bag or phone case
- Dry change of clothes
Important information
- The sandbank appears and disappears with the tide, so times shift day to day. We confirm your pickup the evening before.
- This is a long day on an open boat. Sun protection matters.
- Tell us about seafood allergies or dietary needs when you book.
- Child-size life jackets are available.
Gallery
Frequently asked questions
What is served for lunch?
A barbecue of the day's catch with rice, salad, tropical fruit and soft drinks. Vegetarian and other dietary needs are prepared on request.
Is there shade on the sandbank?
Yes. A tent is set up for your group before you land. There is no natural shade on a sandbank.
Do I need to swim?
No. The water around the sandbank is shallow and life jackets are provided.
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