Prison Island, also known as Changuu Island, is one of Zanzibar’s more popular half-day excursions, combining a colony of giant tortoises, a layered history, and a stretch of beach just a short boat ride from Stone Town. As local experts at Kiwoito Africa Safaris in Arusha, Tanzania, we arrange this outing for many guests, who tend to return with plenty of tortoise photos and a better sense of the island’s past.
The crossing from Stone Town takes roughly twenty to thirty minutes by traditional dhow or speedboat, covering a little over five kilometers of open water. Changuu’s history is more layered than its nickname suggests. The island was uninhabited until the mid-1860s, when Sultan Majid bin Said gave it to Arab traders, who used it to hold enslaved people being moved through Stone Town’s markets. In 1893, the British colonial administrator Lloyd Mathews bought the island and built a prison complex there, but it was never actually used to hold prisoners. Instead, as yellow fever outbreaks reached the region, the buildings were repurposed into a quarantine station, and it’s this quarantine history, alongside the earlier detention period, that visitors learn about while walking through the surviving ruins today. The island’s famous tortoises arrived separately, in 1919, when the Governor of the Seychelles gifted four Aldabra giant tortoises to Zanzibar. Their numbers grew to around two hundred by the 1950s, though poaching later reduced the population to just seven by the 1990s, prompting a restocking effort with young tortoises and ongoing protection that has since rebuilt a healthy colony.
Today, visitors can walk among the tortoises, some estimated to be well over a century old, and feed them under a keeper’s guidance, while free-roaming peacocks add another point of interest around the ruins. Beyond the wildlife and history, the western side of the island has a shallow, sheltered reef that makes for comfortable, beginner-friendly snorkeling, and the beach itself is a good spot to relax before heading back. This makes Prison Island a solid fit for families, since children generally enjoy the tortoises, as well as couples and history-minded travelers looking for a well-rounded but manageable outing, whether on its own or paired with a Stone Town tour after a northern Tanzania safari.
A few things make Changuu a consistently popular choice among Zanzibar’s day trips. Getting close to Aldabra giant tortoises, feeding them, and learning a bit about their remarkable lifespans is the clear highlight for most visitors, and the island remains one of relatively few places where these tortoises are protected and cared for outside their native Seychelles. The prison ruins add a layer of genuine, if somewhat unexpected, history, since the buildings tell a quarantine story rather than the prison story the island’s name implies. The reef on the island’s western side offers calm, shallow water suited to snorkelers of most abilities, and the compact size of the island, along with flat, shaded paths, keeps the visit manageable without long walks or crowds building up the way they can at larger attractions.
Most visits begin with hotel pickup from Stone Town or nearby areas, followed by a short drive to the jetty and the boat crossing to the island. On arrival, guests are usually greeted by tortoises making their way toward the entrance area, and a keeper or guide provides fresh greens for feeding, along with some background on the tortoises’ age, diet, and breeding. From there, a guided walk through the old prison and quarantine buildings covers the island’s history, including the ruins of the hospital wards used during the yellow fever period. Afterward, guests generally head to the beach for swimming or snorkeling on the fringing reef, where sightings often include parrotfish, sergeant majors, and the occasional moray eel in the shallows. Some tours include a light lunch on the island or a stop at a second nearby snorkeling site before the return crossing. A full visit, including transfers, generally runs between three and four hours.
Prison Island can be visited year-round, though the dry seasons from roughly June to October tend to bring calmer seas, and the heavier rains of April and May are generally best avoided for snorkeling conditions. Morning visits are often recommended, both to beat the midday heat around the tortoise sanctuary and to have calmer water for the crossing. It’s worth bringing swimwear, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a waterproof camera, and comfortable shoes or sandals, along with a small amount of cash for drinks, souvenirs, or tips. Most packages include hotel transfers, the return boat trip, a guide, tortoise feeding, snorkeling gear, and the island’s entrance fee, with lunch often available as an optional add-on. Both shared boats and private charters are available, with private options often chosen by families or for special occasions such as proposals. Prices typically range from about forty to seventy US dollars per adult, with reduced rates generally available for children.
Prison Island offers a manageable, well-rounded half-day out from Stone Town, mixing wildlife, history, and a bit of beach time without requiring a full day’s commitment. Many guests find the combination of tortoises and history makes it a highlight regardless of age or travel style.
Contact us at Kiwoito Africa Safaris for a personalized quote or availability, whether combined with a Stone Town tour, Nakupenda Sandbank, or the rest of your Zanzibar or Tanzania itinerary. As locals, we know the best boats, guides, and timings to make the most of your visit.
Prison Island Zanzibar is a historic island located just off the coast of Stone Town, famous for its giant Aldabra tortoises, fascinating history, and beautiful coastal scenery. Despite its name, the island was never actually used as a prison for prisoners. Instead, it served different purposes throughout history, including quarantine facilities during the colonial period. Today, Prison Island is one of Zanzibar’s most popular day-trip destinations, offering visitors a combination of history, wildlife, snorkeling, and relaxation.
Prison Island, also known as Changuu Island, is located approximately 5 kilometers northwest of Stone Town. The island is easily accessible by a short boat ride from the Stone Town waterfront, usually taking around 20 to 30 minutes depending on sea conditions. Its close location makes it an ideal half-day excursion for travelers staying in Stone Town.
Prison Island Zanzibar is best known for its population of giant Aldabra tortoises, some of which are more than 100 years old. These impressive animals were introduced to the island in the late 19th century and have become one of Zanzibar’s most recognizable conservation attractions. The island is also famous for its old buildings, white sandy beaches, coral reefs, and clear turquoise waters.
Yes. The giant Aldabra tortoises are the main attraction of Prison Island. Visitors can observe these gentle creatures, learn about their conservation, and sometimes feed them under the guidance of local caretakers. The tortoises are protected, and responsible interaction helps support their preservation.
Yes. Prison Island Zanzibar is a family-friendly attraction suitable for children, couples, solo travelers, and groups. Children especially enjoy seeing the giant tortoises, while adults appreciate the island’s history, peaceful beaches, and snorkeling opportunities.
Most Prison Island Zanzibar excursions last between 2 and 5 hours, depending on the package and activities included. A standard visit usually includes boat transfers, tortoise viewing, island exploration, and free time for swimming or snorkeling. Many visitors combine it with a Stone Town tour or Nakupenda Sandbank excursion.
Prison Island Zanzibar can be visited throughout the year. The best conditions are usually during the dry seasons from June to October and December to March, when the weather is sunny and the sea is generally calm. Morning visits are often recommended because temperatures are cooler and the island is usually less crowded.
Yes. The waters around Prison Island offer opportunities for snorkeling, where visitors can observe colorful reef fish, coral formations, and other marine life. While snorkeling conditions depend on weather and tides, the surrounding waters provide a pleasant introduction to Zanzibar’s underwater environment.
Kiwoito Africa Safaris organizes memorable Prison Island Zanzibar tours that combine history, wildlife, and marine experiences. Our team arranges reliable boat transfers, knowledgeable local guides, and flexible itineraries tailored to your interests. Whether you are exploring Zanzibar after a Tanzania safari or planning a complete island holiday, Kiwoito Africa Safaris helps you discover the unique charm of Prison Island, from its historic heritage to its famous giant tortoises and beautiful Indian Ocean surroundings.
