Zanzibar: Prison Island Tour with Lunch on the Sandbank

Prison Island has an odd past. Lloyd Mathews bought it in 1893 and built a prison complex, yet no prisoners were ever kept there. The buildings later served as a quarantine station for people with yellow fever, giving your island walk an unusual story beyond the usual beach stop.

I like the chance to see giant tortoises, including some more than 100 years old, and I like that the trip mixes history with time in the sea. The seafood BBQ, Swahili food, fruit, and cheese served on the sandbank also make this more than a quick boat ride and photo stop.

The main concern is organization at the meeting point. One person reported that the guide was not in front of the Old Fort at the agreed time, and messages and calls went unanswered. The boat trip itself went ahead, but you should allow extra time to find the right guide and confirm where to go.

Key points to know before booking

• Prison Island was never used as a working prison: You can still see the old complex, but its later role was quarantine.
• More than 50 tortoises live on the island: Some are over a century old, and the visit includes time to photograph and feed them.
• The day combines three different settings: You get an island walk, snorkeling near coral reefs, and lunch on a sandbank.
• The $99 price covers the main extras: Boat transport, entrance fees, a local English-speaking guide, snorkeling equipment, lunch, drinking water, and snacks are included.
• The meeting point is central Stone Town: Begin and end in front of the Old Fort on Mizingani Road.
• This is not suited to everyone: The activity is not recommended for people with back problems or wheelchair users.

From Stone Town to Prison Island by boat

Your meeting point is in front of the Old Fort on Mizingani Road in Stone Town. From there, the tour takes you by boat toward Prison Island, also known as Changuu Island.

The boat transfer is useful because it turns the island visit into a clear half-day-style outing rather than a complicated trip you must arrange yourself. Transport, entrance fees, and a local English-speaking guide are included in the $99 price, so you are paying for the structure of the day as well as the food and equipment.

Still, meeting-point instructions deserve care. The supplied information says the guide should meet you in front of the Old Fort. One poor experience involved a guide not appearing at the stated place or time, followed by a handoff to what seemed like a different guide near the boats. I would arrive early, stay near the stated meeting point, and keep the provider’s contact details handy. Do not assume that any person leading you toward the boats is your assigned guide.

The outing ends back at the Old Fort. That makes it easier to fit into a Stone Town day, since you are not left arranging your own return from the island.

Prison Island’s strange prison story

Prison Island is interesting because its name suggests one story while the buildings tell another. Lloyd Mathews, Zanzibar’s British First Minister at the time, purchased the island in 1893 and built a prison complex there. No prisoners were ever housed in it.

Instead, the island became a quarantine station for people with yellow fever. You can explore the remaining complex with the guide and learn how the island was used. This is a modest historical visit rather than a large museum experience, but the setting gives the old buildings real weight. You are walking through a place designed for confinement and public health, not simply looking at another tropical ruin.

I like this part because it gives the island a purpose beyond clear water and animal photos. The history also helps explain why the island has buildings at all. If you only want a beach day, this section may feel brief. If you like unusual local history, it gives the excursion more substance.

The tour description does not provide a fixed amount of time for the island walk. Expect the pace to depend on the guide, the group, and the conditions on the day. Bring sunscreen and sunglasses, since much of the appeal is outdoors and shade may be limited.

Meeting Prison Island’s giant tortoises

The island’s main natural attraction is its collection of more than 50 tortoises. Some are said to be more than 100 years old, which makes this more than a quick look at ordinary zoo animals.

You can spend time watching, photographing, and feeding them. The guide explains why the tortoises live on the island, so you get some context instead of simply walking past an enclosure. Their size and age are the memorable details here. Give yourself time to notice their slow movement and rough shells rather than rushing through for a single picture.

The island also has peacocks and small antelope. That mix makes the stop feel varied, although the tortoises are clearly the main event. If you are bringing children, the animals may be the part that holds their attention best. If you prefer a quiet nature walk, the peacocks and antelope add interest without changing the outing into a formal wildlife safari.

Feeding animals can be enjoyable, but follow the guide’s instructions. The supplied details say feeding is part of the experience, not that you may bring your own food. Use only what is provided or approved during the visit.

Snorkeling around the island

After exploring the island, you can cool off in the surrounding clear water. Snorkeling gear is included, along with drinking water and snacks, so you do not need to rent basic equipment separately.

The stated aim is to look for colorful tropical fish and coral reefs near the island. Conditions in the water can affect visibility, so keep your expectations sensible. The tour promises an opportunity to snorkel, not a guaranteed sighting of a particular species or a specific reef condition.

This section works well because it breaks up the walking and history. The warm Zanzibar weather makes a swim welcome, and the change from land to sea keeps the day from feeling repetitive. If you are not a confident swimmer, the provided information does not state whether flotation equipment or formal water instruction is available. Ask before entering the water and stay within the guide’s directions.

People with back problems should note that this activity is not suitable for them. The boat transfer, movement around the island, and getting in or out of the water may all be uncomfortable. Wheelchair users should also look elsewhere, since the activity is not designed for wheelchair access.

Lunch on the island sandbank

Once you have worked up an appetite, the tour serves lunch on the sandbank. The meal includes a seafood BBQ, Swahili cuisine, cheese, tropical fruit, and other food, with drinking water and snacks included as well.

This is one of the better parts of the package because the meal is tied to the setting. You are not simply returning to Stone Town for lunch in a restaurant. Instead, you get a beachside meal after the island walk and snorkeling, when a plate of seafood and fruit should feel well timed.

The menu is broad enough to suit different tastes, though the details do not specify exactly which seafood, Swahili dishes, or fruit will be served. Alcoholic drinks are not included, so plan to buy those separately if you want them and if they are available on the day.

A sandbank is also a weather-dependent setting. Strong sun, wind, or changing water conditions may affect how comfortable lunch feels. Sunglasses and sunscreen are specifically recommended, and I would treat both as essential rather than optional. There is no promise of a private sandbank or a fixed amount of time for the meal, so expect a shared outdoor lunch rather than a formal dining service.

What the $99 price really includes

At $99 per person, this tour is not the cheapest way to reach Prison Island, but it bundles several costs that can add up when arranged separately. You receive the boat transfer, entrance fees, English-speaking local guide, snorkeling gear, lunch, drinking water, and snacks.

The value depends on what you want from the day. If you only want to see the tortoises and old buildings, a simpler boat trip might cost less. If you would otherwise pay separately for transport, entry, equipment, and a seafood lunch, the package becomes easier to justify.

The food matters here. A seafood BBQ, Swahili dishes, fruit, and cheese make the price more reasonable than a basic excursion that includes only a boat and guide. Snorkeling equipment also saves you from arranging a separate rental.

The weak point is not the list of inclusions but the uncertainty around coordination. A well-run meeting makes the package convenient. A missed guide at the Old Fort would quickly turn that convenience into stress. Confirm the meeting instructions before the day and arrive early.

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are still arranging your Zanzibar plans. Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Those terms give you some flexibility, but they do not remove the need to check the meeting point carefully.

How to prepare for the island outing

Wear clothing you can use comfortably around water and in strong sun. The formal packing advice lists sunglasses and sunscreen, and both are practical choices for the boat, the open sandbank, and the animal area.

Bring only what you need. You will be moving between a boat, the island, snorkeling water, and a lunch setting. The included drinking water and snacks reduce the need to carry food, while snorkeling gear is already supplied.

Keep your phone or camera protected from splashes. The tortoises, old buildings, boat ride, reef area, and sandbank all offer photo opportunities, but the tour information does not state that dry storage is provided.

English is the stated tour language. If you need detailed explanations in another language, this may not be the right choice. No guide names are provided, so you should not expect to select a particular guide when booking.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this outing to someone who wants a compact mix of Zanzibar’s island scenery, animal life, local food, and a little history. It suits couples, families with children who like animals, and first-time visitors who want several activities bundled into one day.

The tortoises give the tour an easy focus. The prison complex adds a story, the water offers a change of pace, and lunch gives the trip a relaxed finish. You do not need to choose between a culture stop and a beach stop.

It is less suitable if you dislike group logistics, want a private boat, or need a highly accessible route. The details do not promise a private experience, a fixed schedule for each stop, or wheelchair access.

Strong swimmers and snorkelers may also want more time in the water than this tour provides. The program includes snorkeling, but it is only one part of a broader outing that also covers history, animals, and lunch.

The main concern: meeting-point coordination

The activity’s overall rating is 4.4 from 66 reviews, which suggests that the package generally works well for many people. Still, the single detailed poor experience raises a practical issue that should not be ignored.

The problem was specific: the guide was not at the Old Fort meeting point at the scheduled time, the group was taken toward the boats by someone who seemed to be a different guide, and calls and messages were not answered. The person who reported this still considered the tour itself fine, but the poor coordination affected the experience.

You can reduce the risk by arriving early, staying at the exact stated location, and confirming how you will identify the guide. If nobody appears, contact the provider before following anyone to the boats. This is especially important in a busy waterfront area where several boat trips may be operating.

That caution does not cancel the tour’s strengths. It simply means the meeting point is the part you should manage most actively.

Should you book the Prison Island tour?

Book it if you want one organized outing with history, tortoises, snorkeling, and lunch rather than a bare boat transfer. The $99 price is fair when you value the included meal, equipment, entry, guide, and transport.

Skip it if you need wheelchair access, have back problems, want a private or highly flexible schedule, or prefer to arrange each part yourself. You should also think twice if unclear meeting instructions would cause major stress.

For the best chance of a smooth day, arrive early at the Old Fort, confirm your guide before heading to the boats, and pack sun protection. With that preparation, the tour offers a good range of Zanzibar experiences in one manageable package.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts in front of the Old Fort on Mizingani Road in Stone Town, Zanzibar.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in front of the Old Fort.

What is the price?

The price is $99 per person.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes a seafood BBQ, Swahili cuisine, cheese, tropical fruit, and other food.

Are drinks included?

Drinking water and snacks are included. Alcoholic drinks are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included in the tour.

What animals can I see on Prison Island?

You can see more than 50 tortoises, including some more than 100 years old. The island also has peacocks and small antelope.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. English is the listed tour language.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.