A Half Day Private Prison Island Tour

Prison Island’s biggest attraction is not the prison. It is the group of Aldabra giant tortoises, some of which are said to have arrived as a gift from the Governor of Seychelles to Zanzibar’s Sultan in the early 20th century. You can see them close up, take pictures, and then walk among the old buildings on Changu Island.

I like the private format, since your group does not have to follow a large party, and I like the simple boat ride from Stone Town. The tour also combines animals, local history, and a little beach time in just a few hours. The catch is that the beach is small and can be crowded with boats, so this is not a full beach day or a dependable snorkeling trip.

Key points to know before booking

• The tortoise sanctuary is the main event: The giant Aldabra tortoises are the most memorable part of the visit.
• Changu Island is 25 to 30 minutes by boat: The ride begins from Stone Town and uses a wooden motorized boat.
• The prison ruins are modest: You will see the remains of a building made for Zanzibar prisoners in 1893, but do not expect a grand fortress.
• Swimming is possible, but conditions vary: The water can be clear, yet boats gather near the small beach.
• Weather can shorten the outing: Poor conditions may reduce the visit to about 1.5 hours.
• The $84 price buys convenience: Private transport, a guide, bottled water, fees, and a private group are included, but the value depends on how much time you get on the island.

From Stone Town to Changu Island by wooden boat

The trip begins in Zanzibar City, usually with pickup included. From Stone Town, you travel by wooden motorized boat to Changu Island, also called Prison Island. The ride takes about 25 to 30 minutes, making the island easy to reach without giving up a whole day of sightseeing.

That short crossing is part of the appeal. You get away from Stone Town for a few hours, see the city from the water, and arrive at an island with a very different pace. Since this is a private activity, your own group takes part rather than joining a larger shared party.

The tour is listed as lasting about two to three hours. That includes the boat trip, time on Changu Island, the tortoise sanctuary, prison ruins, and the chance to swim. In practice, the exact length depends on weather and on how long you choose to stay at the beach.

You receive private transportation, a private guide, bottled water, and all fees and taxes. Those inclusions matter in Zanzibar, where arranging separate transport, a boat, and an island visit can take more effort than the short schedule suggests. At $84 per person, the cost is easier to justify for a small group that values privacy and convenience than for someone traveling alone on a strict budget.

No guide name is provided for this experience, so you should not book it expecting a particular named guide. The guide is there to lead your group around the island and help with the visit, including advice about swimming or snorkeling areas.

Meeting the giant Aldabra tortoises

The sanctuary is the strongest reason to choose this tour. Aldabra giant tortoises are large, slow-moving animals, and seeing them at close range gives the stop a clear focus. You can observe them, take pictures, and walk around the area where they are kept.

The tour information places their arrival in two slightly different years, 1915 and 1919. Both accounts describe the same basic story: the tortoises came from the Seychelles as a gift to Zanzibar’s Sultan, presented by the British Governor of Seychelles. The exact year is less important to the visit than the unusual connection between the Seychelles and Zanzibar.

This is a good stop for families and for anyone who enjoys animals more than ruins. The tortoises are also the part most likely to hold your attention if you have limited interest in old buildings. Give yourself time to watch them rather than treating the sanctuary as a quick photo stop.

You may also see peacocks and antelopes on the island. The information does not promise a fixed number of animals or a wildlife tour, so treat these as possible extra sightings rather than the main purpose of the outing.

A practical point: this is an animal sanctuary visit, not a safari. You are going to one island site, and the tour does not describe a long wildlife walk or a search for rare species. The tortoises are the reliable highlight.

What remains of the 1893 prison

Changu Island got its Prison Island name from the prison ruins built by General, or Sir William Lloyd, Mathews in 1893. The stated purpose was to house Zanzibar criminals. The old structures provide a short historical stop and explain the island’s familiar name.

Keep your expectations measured. The ruins are not described as a large prison complex, and one account found the prison itself underwhelming. I would treat it as a compact historical feature rather than the central attraction.

That is not a reason to skip it. The remains help you understand how the island was used, and they add a human story to what could otherwise be only an animal sanctuary and beach stop. Your guide can give context as you walk through the site, though no detailed guiding script or specific historical presentation is promised.

If you are visiting Zanzibar mainly for architecture and history, Stone Town itself offers a fuller experience. Prison Island works better as a short change of scene, with the prison ruins fitting between the tortoises and the water.

A beach stop with clear water and real limits

After the island sights, you may have a chance to swim in the clear water from the beach. This can be a pleasant finish, especially on a warm day, but the beach should not be your main reason for booking.

The shore area is small, and boats can gather close to it. That can make swimming difficult and can take away from the quiet island setting shown in promotional pictures. If you are hoping to spend several hours relaxing on sand or snorkeling in open water, this tour may leave you disappointed.

The guide can advise you about where to swim or snorkel, but the experience information does not promise snorkeling equipment, a dedicated reef stop, or a long period in the water. Bring the right expectations. Think of swimming as an optional extra after the island visit, not a complete water-sports outing.

Weather also matters. One outing was cut to about 1.5 hours because conditions worsened. The tour requires good weather, and if poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. If conditions change after you leave, however, the time on the island may be shorter than planned.

How the $84 price measures up

At $84 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Prison Island. The price includes private transportation, the boat-related arrangements, a private guide, bottled water, and all fees and taxes. You are paying for an organized visit with fewer decisions to make, not simply for access to a beach.

For two or more people, the private setup can make practical sense. You can move at your own pace, spend more time with the tortoises, and decide how much attention to give the ruins and swimming. A private group is also useful if one person wants photographs while another prefers to listen to the guide.

The value drops if the weather cuts the outing short or if you mainly want a beach day. A 1.5-hour visit feels expensive when the advertised experience is closer to two or three hours. The operator cannot control changing weather, but you should still consider the risk when comparing this tour with a longer island excursion.

The 3.8 rating from five published ratings suggests a mixed but workable experience. The clearest positive point is the tortoise sanctuary. The clearest complaints concern the beach, the number of boats, and shortened time in poor weather.

Who will get the most from this island visit

I would recommend this tour to you if you have only half a day in Zanzibar and want three different elements in one outing: animals, history, and a short swim. It suits families, couples, and small groups who prefer private transport to making separate arrangements.

It is also a good match if the giant tortoises are your priority. You can see them close up without committing to a full-day trip, and the island’s other animals add a little interest between the main stops.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is snorkeling, quiet sand, or a long swim. The small beach and nearby boats can limit that part of the visit. You may prefer a tour designed specifically around the water.

Likewise, history enthusiasts should see the ruins as a brief stop. The 1893 prison remains explain the island’s name, but they are not enough on their own to justify the price.

Timing, weather, and what to bring

The activity is normally planned for two to three hours, with the boat ride taking roughly half an hour each way. That leaves a useful but limited amount of time on Changu Island. You will not have the same freedom as you would on a full-day island trip.

Wear clothing suitable for warm weather and bring anything you need for swimming. Bottled water is included, but personal expenses are not, so carry money if you expect to buy something separately.

Since the tour depends on good weather, check the forecast before setting out. The cancellation policy allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, except that poor weather cancellation by the operator brings an offer of another date or a full refund.

Most people can participate, and the activity is private. The available information does not provide detailed mobility guidance, so if you have specific access needs, ask the provider before booking.

Should you book the Prison Island tour?

Book it if you want a short, private outing from Stone Town and your priority is seeing the giant tortoises. The boat crossing, old prison ruins, peacocks, possible antelopes, and clear water give you a varied half day without a complicated schedule.

Do not book it expecting a peaceful resort beach or a serious snorkeling trip. Boats can crowd the small swimming area, and bad weather can shorten the visit. At $84, the tour makes the most sense when you value a private guide and included transport, and when the tortoises are worth more to you than a long afternoon by the sea.

FAQ

Where is Prison Island located?

Prison Island, also called Changu Island or Changuu Island, is about 16 kilometers from Stone Town in Zanzibar City, Tanzania.

How long does the boat ride take?

The wooden motorized boat ride from Stone Town to the island takes about 25 to 30 minutes.

How long does the tour last?

The tour is expected to last about two to three hours, although poor weather can make the visit shorter.

What animals can I see on the island?

The main animals are Aldabra giant tortoises. You may also see peacocks and antelopes.

What is the prison ruin?

The ruins are from a prison built in 1893 by General, or Sir William Lloyd, Mathews to house Zanzibar criminals.

Can I swim at Prison Island?

Yes. The tour gives you the chance to swim in the clear water from the island’s beach, although boats may crowd the small beach area.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private activity, and a private guide is included.

What is included in the $84 price?

Private transportation, all fees and taxes, bottled water, and a private guide are included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.