Private Catamaran – Stone Town Islands & Sandbanks (5 hrs)

Zanzibar’s best day on the water may be the one that lets you stop planning. This private catamaran carries your group from Stone Town to Prison Island, Nakupenda sandbank and remote beaches beyond the reach of many local boats. You can snorkel, eat fresh food, stretch out in the sun, and watch Stone Town turn gold on the way home.

I like the small private setting, with space for up to 12 people rather than a crowded shared boat. I also like the practical comfort: two bathrooms, changing rooms, showers, indoor and outdoor dining, a Bluetooth sound system, and charging points. The main drawback is the price, which only works well if you fill the boat with family or friends.

Key points to know

• Prison Island comes first: Snorkel, eat and swim, or pay separately to visit the giant tortoises.
• Nakupenda sandbank is the main beach stop: You can snorkel again or simply relax in the afternoon sun.
• Secret Island adds a remote-beach feel: The catamaran can reach places local boats may not.
• Food and drinks are included: Lunch, snacks, fruit, water, soft drinks, beer and wine are provided.
• Captain Lorne and crew handle the day: The service is attentive and flexible, with dietary needs requested in advance.
• Bring your own towels: Towels are not supplied, and the itinerary gives you several chances to get wet.

From Stone Town to the open water

The boat leaves from the Star Tours Zanzibar meeting point, a short walk from the Cape Town Fish Market restaurant in Stone Town. That location makes the trip easy to fit into a Stone Town stay, especially if you are spending three or more days in the city and want a full day away from the narrow streets.

The exact timing needs a little care. The tour title describes a five-hour cruise, while the supplied trip details give an approximate duration of eight hours. That is a meaningful difference, so confirm the schedule before paying. Either way, plan for a substantial part of your day and do not book a tight afternoon appointment afterward.

This is a private charter, so only your group joins the boat. That changes the feel of the outing. You can settle into the pace you want, ask for time in the water, turn up the music, or sit quietly during the sail back. The crew can also prepare food around your preferences, including meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan meals, as well as allergies.

The catamaran is called Pelagic in the crew’s responses to customers, and Captain Lorne is named as one of the people who may run the trip. You should still confirm the exact crew for your date, but the service is built around a captain and crew rather than a guide rushing a large group from stop to stop.

Prison Island gives you your first choice

The first stop is Prison Island, also known as Changuu Island. The plan gives you several ways to use your time there. You can snorkel, swim, enjoy food and drinks on board, or pay an additional entry fee to visit the giant tortoises.

That choice is useful. If your group includes children or anyone who would rather see wildlife than spend long in the water, the tortoise visit adds an easy land-based activity. If you have already seen giant tortoises elsewhere in Zanzibar, you can stay on the boat, eat lunch, or make the most of the snorkeling equipment included in the charter.

The tortoise entry fee is not part of the package, so bring money for that optional visit. The supplied details call it the Prison Island Sanctuary entry fee. The amount is not provided, so ask the operator for the current cost if that stop matters to you.

Prison Island is also a good first pause because you can get used to the boat and the water before the sandbank stop. The catamaran has changing rooms and showers, which makes wet clothes less of a nuisance. Still, pack your own towel. That is specifically requested, and you will want one after snorkeling or swimming.

Nakupenda sandbank is the afternoon centerpiece

After Prison Island, the catamaran heads to Nakupenda sandbank. This is the classic Zanzibar scene: bright sand surrounded by shallow sea, with plenty of space to swim, snorkel or sit in the sun when the tide and conditions allow.

The sandbank is not just a photo stop. You can get back in the water, relax on board, or use the afternoon for a long lunch and a slow drink. The private format matters here. A shared excursion often follows a fixed timetable, but this charter is designed to give your group room to choose between activity and rest.

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to arrange a separate rental. The description does not give detailed information about reef conditions, visibility or the exact snorkeling sites, and these can depend on weather and tides. Keep expectations sensible. This is a flexible sea day, not a specialist snorkeling expedition with a naturalist guide.

You should also remember that a sandbank changes with the tide. The tour promises a visit to Nakupenda, but the amount of exposed sand and the conditions for walking around can vary. The catamaran gives you a comfortable fallback if the sandbank is smaller, wetter or busier than expected.

Secret Island and the value of going farther

One appealing feature is the boat’s ability to travel beyond the range of many local boats. The crew refers to one remote beach area as Secret Island. The name should not lead you to expect a completely untouched private island, but it does suggest a quieter stop away from the standard Stone Town route.

The biggest value here is not a guaranteed landmark. It is the freedom to move between places and find a more peaceful stretch of coast when conditions allow. You might stop for a swim, sit on the deck, or simply enjoy the feeling of being out on the water with no packed schedule.

Because the route depends on weather and sea conditions, the captain has the final say on where it is safe and practical to go. That is a benefit, not a flaw. A good boat day needs room to adjust. If wind or tide makes one stop less suitable, the crew can focus on another part of the route.

The boat’s size also helps. With a maximum of 12 people, your group has enough room to spread out without losing the social feel of a private charter. One party of six would have plenty of space, while a full group of 12 would make the boat better value but naturally feel busier.

Fresh food is more than a pleasant extra

Food receives unusually strong emphasis in this experience. Lunch is prepared on board and can be arranged for meat or seafood eaters, vegetarians and vegans. Dietary preferences and allergies are requested before the charter, so give clear information when you book.

The package includes a full lunch, snacks, fruit, mineral water, soft drinks, beer and wine. That means you do not need to carry a day’s supply of food and drinks onto the boat. It also makes the price easier to assess, since a private sea trip with catering can replace several separate purchases during the day.

The seafood lunch is a natural fit for Zanzibar, and the crew can cook to your group’s preferences. Still, do not assume that every menu item is fixed or that a particular seafood dish is guaranteed. Tell the operator what you want in advance, especially for allergies or strict dietary needs.

Beer and wine are included, but drink responsibly. You will be swimming, moving around a boat and spending hours in the sun. Water and soft drinks are available, so alternate them with alcohol and use the shaded or indoor areas when you need a break.

The boat offers indoor and outdoor dining, which is useful in changing weather. You can eat outside when the sea is calm, then move indoors if the sun becomes too strong. The Bluetooth sound system adds a relaxed soundtrack, and charging facilities help you keep phones and cameras ready for the return to Stone Town.

A yacht built for comfort, not just transport

The catamaran is fully outfitted for a long day at sea. Two bathrooms are a major advantage, particularly for a group of 12. Changing rooms and showers also make the trip more comfortable after snorkeling, swimming or sitting on a sandbank.

You can rest in cozy quarters, eat inside or outside, and use the sound system through Bluetooth. These details matter because the boat is your base for the whole day. You are not simply being carried from one stop to another and left to manage without facilities.

You still need to bring the basics. Pack a towel, swimwear, sun protection and a phone or camera with enough battery. The supplied information confirms charging points, but it does not specify the plug type or charging cables, so bring your own suitable cable and do not rely on the boat to supply one.

The description says most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The meeting point is near public transportation, and pickup is offered. Exact pickup coverage is not explained, so confirm whether you need to walk to the Stone Town meeting point or arrange a separate transfer from your hotel.

Is $1,300 good value for your group?

The charter costs $1,300 for up to 12 people. At full capacity, that works out to about $108 per person before considering the included lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, crew, fuel and private transportation. For six people, the cost is about $217 each. For two people, it becomes a very expensive private day.

That calculation tells you who should book it. A family, wedding group, group of friends or several couples can make the price reasonable by sharing it. You are paying for the whole boat, not for a seat, so the value improves quickly as your group grows.

The package also removes many small costs. You receive a catered lunch, snacks, fruit, water, soft drinks, beer and wine, plus fuel and crew. A separate shared boat might have a lower starting price, but you could then add meals, drinks, equipment and transportation.

I would not choose this charter solely to save money. I would choose it for privacy, comfort and control over the day. If your main goal is a quick swim and a low-cost ride to a sandbank, a shared excursion may suit you better. If you want a private boat with bathrooms, showers, food and room to change plans, the higher price has a clear reason.

The sunset return to Stone Town

The final sail returns to Stone Town, with the chance to watch sunset from the catamaran. This is one of the strongest parts of the schedule because it lets you finish the day on the water rather than rushing back before the light fades.

Sunset timing depends on the date and weather, and the trip details do not promise a particular view or exact return time. Still, the return route gives you time to sit back after the swimming and lunch stops. Stone Town looks different from the sea, and the boat’s outdoor seating gives you a good place to watch the shoreline come closer.

The activity ends back at the meeting point. That is convenient if you are staying in Stone Town, but arrange your onward plans with care because the duration information is not perfectly consistent. The listed hours run from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., but those are operating hours rather than a guaranteed departure and return schedule.

Who will enjoy this private cruise most?

This charter suits you if you are traveling with a group large enough to share the cost and want a full day with no strangers on board. Families can benefit from the bathrooms, food and flexible pace. Couples can book it for a special occasion, but the price is easier to justify when several people split it.

It also works well for birthdays and celebrations. Custom requests such as birthday cakes are accepted, so mention the occasion before the day. The crew can help shape the food and setup around your plans, although the available details do not specify exactly what decorations or celebration services are included.

You should think twice if you dislike long days at sea, want a tightly structured cultural tour, or are mainly interested in visiting Prison Island on land. The trip focuses on sailing, swimming, snorkeling, food and relaxation. It does not present a detailed history program for Stone Town or the islands.

Weather is another key factor. The experience requires good conditions, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund. That policy is reassuring, but you still need a backup day if possible.

Booking details worth checking first

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. The booking can be canceled for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Before you finalize the charter, confirm four things: the actual duration, the pickup arrangement, the current Prison Island entry fee and the meal plan for your group. These are the details most likely to affect your day.

The tour is offered daily during the stated operating period, from October 16, 2023 through June 17, 2026, between 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Since availability is limited to one private boat, booking several weeks ahead is sensible, especially for a particular date or a full group.

Should you book the Stone Town catamaran?

Book it if you want your day on Zanzibar to feel private, comfortable and easy. The strongest reasons are the small group format, the flexible route, the well-equipped catamaran, the fresh catered food and the sunset return. Captain Lorne and the crew are central to the service, and the included meals and drinks make the charter feel like more than simple transport.

Skip it if the $1,300 group price is too high for your party or if you want a short, low-cost outing. For the right group, especially six to 12 people, this is a practical splurge with a clear payoff: you get the whole boat, useful facilities, food on board and room to set the pace yourself.

FAQ

How many people can join the private catamaran?

The catamaran accommodates up to 12 people, and only your private group takes part.

What is included in the price?

The price includes lunch, snacks, fruit, bottled water, soft drinks, beer, wine, fuel, crew, private transportation and snorkeling equipment.

Is the Prison Island entry fee included?

No. The Prison Island Sanctuary entry fee is not included and must be paid separately if you choose to visit the giant tortoises.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. You are specifically asked to bring your own towel. The boat has changing rooms and showers, but towels are not listed as included.

Can dietary requirements be accommodated?

Yes. Lunch can be prepared for meat or seafood eaters, vegetarians and vegans. Dietary preferences and allergies are requested before the charter.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund.