Tanzania · Beach & Island

Full-Day Prison Island Tour from Stone Town with Bawe Islet

1 Day Round trip from Stone Town Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Visit Prison Island, the homeland of giant tortoises
  • 02 Sail from Stone Town by boat and continue by traditional dhow to Bawe Islet
  • 03 Snorkel in the warm Indian Ocean among tropical fish and coloured coral reefs
  • 04 Stroll through the island's natural forest to spot peacocks, bats, and other birds
  • 05 Relax on a white sandbank surrounded by turquoise water and enjoy a seafood lunch

Discover Prison Island, also known as Changuu Island, on a full-day excursion from Stone Town. Reach this Zanzibar islet by boat and explore its history as a former quarantine station for yellow fever cases, now known as the homeland of giant tortoises. Enjoy time to stroll through the natural forest, spot birds and small animals, snorkel in the Indian Ocean, and relax on beautiful white sandbanks surrounded by crystal turquoise water. The tour also includes a traditional dhow sail to Bawe Islet for more swimming and snorkelling in warm, clear waters.

The island was once used as a quarantine station for yellow fever cases and is nowadays the homeland of giant tortoises.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 1 Day
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Not included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
Cities Zanzibar, Changuu
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Prison Island, Bawe Islet and Sandbank Escape

  • Meet your tour guide at the agreed location in Stone Town and begin the tour. From the gateway of Stone Town, it takes about 30 minutes by boat across the sea to reach Prison Island.

  • Arrive at Prison Island, also known as Changuu Island, one of the islets of the Zanzibar archipelago. The island was once used as a quarantine station for yellow fever cases and is nowadays the homeland of giant tortoises.

  • Stroll through the natural forest to see various species of beautiful birds, such as peacocks, as well as small animals like bats.

  • Relax and sunbathe in a quiet spot on the small sandy beach, or snorkel in deeper waters among beautiful marine animals and coral.

  • Sail by traditional dhow to the inhabited Bawe Islet, where you will have the opportunity to snorkel and swim in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.

  • Observe beautiful tropical fish and a wonderful array of coloured coral reefs.

  • Head back on board to a very beautiful inhabited sandbank with clear white sand surrounded by turquoise water.

  • Swim or simply relax while waiting for a delicious seafood lunch and refreshments.

Prison Island, Bawe Islet, clear white sand, turquoise water

Where this trip takes you

Prison Island, Bawe Islet, clear white sand, turquoise water

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Stone Town 2 cities · 1 Day

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Boat

  • Entrance fees

  • Snorkelling gear

  • Lunch

  • English-speaking Zanzibar guide

What's Not Included

  • Tips

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Tour start
Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 1 day finishes where it began, in Stone Town.

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Starting from

USD 350 /person
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