Prison Island Tour

Take a short boat trip from Stone Town to Changuu Island, better known as Prison Island, to see the island’s giant tortoises, learn about its history and enjoy time by the sea.

About 3 to 4 hours | Boat, history, tortoises and beach

What Is Prison Island?

Prison Island, officially known as Changuu Island, is a small island off Stone Town.

The excursion combines several different experiences in one short trip. You travel by boat from Stone Town, visit the island, see the giant tortoises, learn about the island’s history and have some time to enjoy the beach and surrounding sea.

The island is particularly useful for travellers who want to experience something beyond Stone Town without committing to a full day excursion.

What to Expect on the Prison Island Tour

A typical Prison Island experience involves:

Practical Information

Before You

Location: Changuu Island, off Stone Town

Main activities: Boat trip, giant tortoises, history and beach

Typical duration: About 3 to 4 hours

Departure area: Stone Town

Best time: Morning or afternoon, depending on the arrangement

Physical requirement: Normal walking ability and comfort getting into and out of a boat.

Bring:

Comfortable shoes
Light clothing
Hat
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Drinking water
Swimwear if you plan to swim
Towel if swimming or snorkelling is included
Waterproof bag for valuables
Camera

If you are prone to seasickness, consider appropriate precautions before travelling by boat.

Important Notes

The boat is part of the experience

Prison Island is reached by boat from Stone Town. The crossing is relatively short, but sea conditions can affect the timing and comfort of the trip.

It is more than a tortoise visit

The experience also includes the island itself, its historical remains, the surrounding sea and beach. This makes it useful as a combination of wildlife, history and marine experience.

Allow time for the whole movement

If you are staying outside Stone Town, the excursion includes the road journey to the boat departure point as well as the island visit.

For guests staying on the north or southeast coasts, the road transfer can become a significant part of the day.

Prison Island from Different Parts of Zanzibar

Where you stay makes a real difference to how practical this excursion is.

Where You Are Staying	Getting to Blue Lagoon	What to Consider
Dongwe	Very convenient	Ideal location for Blue Lagoon. The boat departure is in the Dongwe area, so there is little road travel.
Pingwe	Very convenient	Blue Lagoon is close to Pingwe, making this one of the easiest locations from which to arrange the excursion.
Michamvi	Convenient	A practical choice for a Blue Lagoon trip. The exact transfer depends on your hotel location.
Bwejuu	Convenient	Reasonably close to the Dongwe and Pingwe area. A good option for a half day snorkelling excursion.
Paje	Convenient to moderate	Blue Lagoon can work well as a half day excursion. The timing should be planned around the tide and boat departure.
Jambiani	Moderate	Possible as a half day excursion, but allow time for the road transfer to Dongwe.
Kizimkazi	Moderate to long	Possible as part of a wider southern Zanzibar plan, but the transfer makes it less convenient as a short standalone activity.
Stone Town	Long transfer	A substantial road journey is required to reach Dongwe. Consider the total travel time when planning a short snorkelling excursion.
Fumba	Moderate to long	Requires travelling across the southern part of the island. It may make more sense to combine Blue Lagoon with other activities.
Matemwe	Moderate to long	Blue Lagoon is on the southeast coast, so allow for a cross island transfer.
Nungwi	Long transfer	A considerable journey is required from the north. Consider whether a northern snorkelling option would be more practical.
Kendwa	Long transfer	Similar to Nungwi, the transfer to Dongwe is significant. Consider the total time before choosing this as a standalone excursion.

What's Included

Boat transfer between Stone Town and Changuu Island
Island visit
Guide
Giant tortoise viewing
Applicable island or conservation entry fees

What's Not Included

Hotel transfers
Meals
Drinks
Personal expenses
Tips
Private boat upgrade
Additional activities

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Prison Island called Prison Island?

Blue Lagoon is a recognised snorkelling location on the Michamvi Peninsula, with reef fish and marine life found around the lagoon. The underwater experience can vary with visibility, tide, weather and the exact area used on the day.

Where does the Prison Island tour start?

The excursion is normally arranged from the Stone Town area, where you board a boat to Changuu Island.

How long does Prison Island take?

Approximately 3 to 4 hours for the excursion itself. Your total day will be longer if you are travelling to Stone Town from another part of Zanzibar

Is Prison Island suitable for children?

It can be suitable for families, particularly because the giant tortoises can be an interesting experience for children. However, children should be comfortable around boats and supervised around the water.

Can I combine Prison Island with Stone Town?

Yes. This is one of the most practical combinations, especially for travellers staying outside Stone Town who want to make better use of their transfer.

Is the boat private or shared?

It depends on the booking arrangement. Boat size and group size affect the price, so we confirm whether your trip is shared or private before booking.

What happens if the sea conditions are not suitable?

Because Prison Island involves a boat trip, the final operating decision depends on the weather, sea conditions and the boat operator’s safety assessment. If conditions affect the planned trip, we can discuss the available alternatives or timing.