15 Nakupenda Sandbank Trips in Zanzibar City Worth Booking

1.Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank With Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 208 reviews · 7.5 - 9 hours · from $75Our pick

Join guides such as Milano or Sangi for a full-day Zanzibar outing to Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank. Meet Aldabra giant tortoises, snorkel from a dhow, swim in clear water, and eat a seafood barbecue with fruit and soft drinks.

“We had the best day out, a bit of Zanzibar culture, visiting Prison island and the tortoises on the island, some are almost 200 years old. We then travelled Nakupenda island where we snorkelled and swam and had a seafood barbecue. Everyone was helpful and efficient”

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2.Nakupenda Sandbank and Prison Island Tour & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 89 reviews · from $42

From Stone Town, you’ll visit historic Prison Island, meet giant Aldabra tortoises, then boat to Nakupenda Sandbank for snorkeling, a seafood lunch, fruit, and beach time. The $42 price excludes a $21 entry fee and may not include transfers outside Stone Town.

“Fatal el guía vino 2 horas tarde con la excusa que no nos encontraba Tuvimos problemas con todo por que nos obligó a pagar propinas cuando no nos dio el cambio de unos dólares Horrible”

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4.Nakupenda Sandbank & Prison Island Trip with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 69 reviews · 7 hours · from $75

Spend seven hours between Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank with an English-speaking guide such as Haji, Fahad, or Obama. See giant tortoises and old island ruins, swim in clear water, and eat freshly prepared seafood or vegetarian food by the sea. Hotel pickup is available.

“Had an excellent day, good food, helpful attentive and happy crew. We got to the sandbank early so were able to walk around in the quiet before the crowds came. Would recommend this trip.”

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5.Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 40 reviews · 6 hours · from $58

From Stone Town, you’ll take a dhow to historic Prison Island, meet giant Aldabra tortoises and peacocks, then spend four hours at Nakupenda Sandbank swimming, snorkeling, eating seafood, and relaxing. English guidance, equipment, drinks, fruit, and a private boat transfer are included.

“The trip was okay, prison island was excellent but Nakupenda sandbank guide was not as good.”

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6.Private Guided Tour to Prison Island, Nakupenda Beach, Stone Town

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 38 reviews · from $135Top rated

Spend a full day with a private guide visiting Prison Island’s giant tortoises and historic buildings, snorkeling at Nakupenda Beach, eating a seafood lunch, and walking Stone Town. Guides such as Amina, Ibrahim, and Hassan are praised for warm, clear storytelling, though Stone Town time can feel short.

“We had a full and delightful day visiting wonderful places with the guide Ibrahim and the driver Abdul (Simba). We started with Prisoners' Island where we learned the history of the place and could admire the beautiful giant turtles. Then we arrivRead more”

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7.Full-Day Blue Lagoon and Sandbank Boat Tour from Zanzibar ( Safari blue)

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 35 reviews · from $100

Spend about eight hours on a shared dhow from Zanzibar City, visiting Kwale Island, a sandbank, the Blue Lagoon, and Niamembe Island. Expect snorkeling gear, fruit, seafood lunch, drinks, and guides such as Amina, Sunnia, or Abas, with organization varying by departure.

“Picked up 8am at hotel. At the beach, waited til 9.30am for the canoe to come, not a dhow. We asked where’s the dhow. Then waited til 10.30am for the dhow to come. At the sand bank, there was no fruits whereas other groups had fruits. The Read more”

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8.Full-day Prison Island, Nakupenda and Stone Town Tour with Lunch Buffet

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 26 reviews · from $136

You’ll visit Prison Island, swim and snorkel at Nakupenda Sand Bank, then explore Stone Town with a local guide. Hotel pickup, private transport, drinks, and a seafood or vegetarian buffet are included. Guides such as Salum and Akmed have led past tours, while captain Ibrahim is praised for his beach barbecue.

“Salum was very informative, prompt and eager to help. He, along with those that helped us made us feel safe and made our experience a great one! I recommend this company. Swan”

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9.Full-day Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank with Lunch buffet

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 25 reviews · from $149

This 5 to 6-hour Zanzibar outing links Stone Town, Prison Island, and Nakupenda Sandbank. You will see giant Aldabra tortoises, old quarantine buildings, swim and snorkel, and eat a fresh seafood or vegetarian buffet. Hotel pickup, drinks, transport, and a private customizable format are included.

“La isla es una gran experiencia desde que llegas hasta que se desaparece por el agua. El personal es muy atento y respectuoso. La comida y experiencia en la isla muy divertidad. Hay multiples vendedores así que hostigan en cierto punto. Te tratan de complacer en todo. No hay que ir para nada a prision island.”

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10.Prison Island, Nakupenda, Stone Town Trip with BBQ

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 25 reviews · from $41Best value

Take a full-day boat trip from Stone Town to Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank, then walk through Stone Town with a local guide. See giant Aldabra tortoises, snorkel, eat a seafood BBQ, and allow extra cash for the $22 entry fee.

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11.Super Zanzi Nakupenda, Prison Island & Stone Town &Lunch-Zanzibar

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 19 reviews · from $42

Combine Zanzibar’s best coastal and historic sights in about 10 hours. Ride a dhow to Nakupenda Sandbank for swimming, snorkeling, fruit, and grilled seafood, visit Prison Island’s tortoises, then walk Stone Town with a guide such as Capaccino, David, or Ibrahim. Pickup is available if selected.

“Prison not really a prison but interesting Island was a rush told to relax but after food only had 15 minutes to look around/photos etc Stone town most things shut at time we went Guide was rude and didn’t explain anything in the town should have more knowledge about the buildings”

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12.Of Jambiani/Paje: Prison Island & Nakupenda Sandbank Escape

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 11 reviews · 9 hours · from $90

From Jambiani or Paje, ride to Stone Town, then cruise by dhow to Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank. You’ll meet giant tortoises, see old island ruins, snorkel, swim, and eat seafood with tropical fruit. Guides speak English, Italian, French, and German, with Milano praised by name.

“Very good, the sandbank was nice and prison island was good”

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13.Luxury NAKUPENDA SANDBANK and SPICE FARM TOUR ( Lunch included )

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · from $165

You’ll visit Jambo Spice Farm with a local guide, learn how cinnamon, vanilla, turmeric, and other spices are used, then take a 25 to 30 minute boat to Nakupenda Sandbank for snorkeling, seafood or vegetarian lunch, fruit, drinks, and time in the sea.

“My family and I had a great time on this tour. The visit to the spice farm was interesting and we enjoyed walking around the beautiful farm to see the variety of spices. The sandbank was the highlight of the tour. The water was calm, shallow aRead more”

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14.Prison Island & Nakupenda Sandbank Escape

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 9 reviews · 8 hours · from $91

You’ll leave Nungwi at 8:00 AM for Stone Town, then cruise with a guide such as Milano or Hadji to Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank. Expect tortoises, ruins, snorkeling, a seafood lunch, and shared transport for up to six people.

“Geführt von Milano, genährt von den Aromen Sansibars, verwöhnt mit wunderbarem Essen, das er mit Liebe zubereitet hat, und mit allem, was uns hat gut fühlen lassen. Eine Reise voller Wärme, Geschmack und echter Momente. Danke, Milano, für all das, was du für uns getan hast. Du hast unsere Reise besonders gemacht. Wir werden dich nie vergessen – und freuen uns schon auf die nächste Tour mit dir. Kroate.”

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15.Full Day Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank Beach with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 8 reviews · from $199

Spend 5 to 6 hours cruising from Stone Town to Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank. See giant Aldabra tortoises, old quarantine ruins, peacocks, and Dik-dik antelopes, then swim and eat a beach lunch with seafood, chicken, or vegetarian choices. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

“This trip was fantastic and I would definitely recommend it to anyone on the fence of which excursion to go on. Starting off at Prison Island, Ali showed me around whole island and gave helpful extra information on the tortoise population and which areas were best to snRead more”

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