Tanzania · Snorkelling

2-Hour Snorkelling Tour in Zanzibar with Prison Island Tortoises

2 Hours Round trip from Zanzibar Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore historic Prison Island, known locally as Changuu, and its 1893 architecture
02 Meet the island's famous giant tortoises, including a 192-year-old resident
03 Learn how the island shifted from a planned prison to a yellow fever quarantine centre
04 Swim or snorkel in the clear waters of the Indian Ocean

Check out Prison Island, known locally as Changuu, on this 2-hour tour of a tropical wonderland in Zanzibar. Explore the island's history with your Zanzibar tour guide, from Lloyd Mathews' 1893 prison building to its later use as a quarantine centre during yellow fever epidemics. Meet the island's most famous inhabitants, including a 192-year-old tortoise, and see the giant tortoises sheltered by the old prison. After the tour, enjoy time to swim or snorkel in the clear waters of the Indian Ocean.

Meet the island's most famous inhabitants, including a 192-year-old tortoise, and see the giant tortoises sheltered by the old prison.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 2 Hours

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

City Zanzibar

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Prison Island History, Giant Tortoises and Snorkelling

Visit Lloyd Mathews' architecture with your Zanzibar tour guide. In 1893, Lloyd Mathews built the prison. The idea was to send violent criminals from the Tanganyika mainland to Prison Island. However, Prison Island ended up being used as a quarantine centre instead of a prison during the yellow fever epidemics that once raged through the region. The island remained under government ownership, and the newer quarantine buildings were later converted into a guest house.
See the giant tortoises. The old prison still remains standing, providing shelter for some of the giant tortoises that can now only be found on this island, as well as the cells.
After the tour, there will be a snorkelling option for those who are interested.