Nakupenda Sandbank day trip: Private boat & seafood lunch

A sandbank in the middle of the ocean means the water surrounds you on all sides.

A full-day private boat tour from Stone Town to Nakupenda Sandbank, where you swim and relax under a tent while a chef prepares seafood lunch on the sand. The 30-minute crossing reaches a secluded sandbank in open water, and the day centers on swimming, tropical fruits, and a picnic meal with soft drinks included. A professional captain and experienced chef accompany you throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Relax at Nakupenda Sandbank

• Depart from Stone Town by boat
• Travel 30 minutes to sandbank
• Set up tent for sun protection
• Relax and swim at sandbank
• Enjoy tropical fruits
• Have seafood picnic lunch with soft drinks

The experience

The boat leaves Stone Town and takes 30 minutes to reach Nakupenda Sandbank, a strip of sand surrounded by ocean. Once there, the crew sets up a tent for shade and you spend the day swimming, floating, and eating. The seafood lunch includes octopus, calamari, prawns, lobster, and tuna fish, prepared on-site by the chef. Soft drinks and tropical fruits come throughout the day. There is no schedule to follow once you arrive. The pace is entirely yours.

A professional captain handles the boat and an experienced chef manages the food and setup. Both are there to explain the sandbank and Zanzibar's natural surroundings as you go, but the day is built around your relaxation, not a guided itinerary. The tent protects you from direct sun while you sit on the sand or wade into the water. Six to seven hours total means you leave Stone Town in the morning and return by afternoon, with pickup and drop-off at your accommodation included.

What’s included

• Boat transport from Stone Town to Nakupenda Sandbank and back.
• professional captain and experienced chef.
• tent setup on the sandbank.
• seafood lunch with octopus, calamari, prawns, lobster, tuna fish, and chicken.
• soft drinks and tropical fruits.
• pickup and drop-off at your accommodation.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 08:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 85 years) · Child (6 to 17 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Unforgettable Zanzibar

Is this one for you?This is a private tour, so your group has the boat and the sandbank to itself: ideal if you want to set your own pace and avoid sharing the experience. The full day (six to seven hours) suits travelers who prefer a long, unhurried escape rather than a quick half-day outing, and the seafood lunch prepared on-site makes it a meal destination as much as a swimming one.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 17 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Nakupenda Sandbank like when you get there?

Nakupenda Sandbank is a strip of sand in open water with no permanent structures or crowds. The crew sets up a tent for shade, and the water is shallow enough for swimming directly from the sand. It is a private experience. You and your group alone on the sandbank for the day.

Can I swim at the sandbank, or is it just for relaxing?

Swimming is one of the main activities. The water around the sandbank is shallow and clear, so you can swim freely or wade as you prefer. Many travelers alternate between swimming and resting under the tent throughout the day.

What does the seafood lunch include?

The lunch features octopus, calamari, prawns, lobster, tuna fish, and chicken, prepared fresh by the chef on the sandbank. Soft drinks (soda and mineral water) and tropical fruits are served throughout the day as well.

How long is the boat ride from Stone Town?

The crossing takes 30 minutes each way. The full day runs six to seven hours from pickup at your accommodation through return, so you have several hours to spend on the sandbank itself.

Is this tour private, or will there be other groups?

This is a private tour, so only your group travels on the boat and uses the sandbank setup. The captain and chef work exclusively for you during the day.