Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank Tours in Zanzibar

Giant tortoises, coral reefs and a sandbank lunch in one day

A guided tour of Zanzibar visits Prison Island's historical ruins and resident giant tortoises, then travels by local boat to Nakupenda Sandbank for swimming, tropical fruit and seafood lunch. The tour runs five to ten hours with a live English or French-speaking guide, lunch and all fees included. Snorkeling around the island's coral reefs is available.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank

• Visit historical sites on Prison Island
• See giant turtles and peacocks
• Take pictures with animals
• Have lunch on Nakupenda Sandbank
• Swim at the sandbank
• Try tropical fruits and seafood

The experience

Prison Island holds the history of Zanzibar's past, and the tour starts there with a guide walking you through the historical sites. You'll see giant tortoises and peacocks that live on the island and have time to photograph them. The boat ride itself, a local wooden vessel, is part of what makes this the real Zanzibar archipelago experience, not a motorized shortcut.

After Prison Island, the boat carries you to Nakupenda Sandbank, a strip of sand that appears and disappears with the tide. You swim in the shallow turquoise water, test tropical fruits brought aboard, and eat fresh seafood lunch while sitting on the sandbank. Snorkeling around the nearby coral reefs is an option if you want to stay in the water longer.

The tour operates with a choice of format: shared departure from a meeting point, shared with hotel pickup and drop-off, or private. A live guide speaks English or French throughout. The full day, or half-day option, includes the boat, lunch, and all entrance fees. Gratuities are separate.

What’s included

• Lunch on the sandbank.
• snorkeling around coral reefs.
• all entrance fees and taxes.
• a live guide in English or French.
• boat transportation between Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank.

Options for this experience

3 options

Meet at the designated point for the shared outing.Guide in English or French · 09:30Lasts 7 hours. Entrance fees are not covered.

Pickup and drop-off are provided.Guide in English or French · 09:30Group tour. Entrance fees are not covered.

Private TourGuide in English or French · 09:30Entrance fees are covered. Lasts 7 hours.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Audio guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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 12 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Hassan Tours & Safaris

Is this one for you?Choose the shared meeting-point option if you want to travel with other visitors and keep costs down, or book private if your group prefers its own guide and timing. The five to ten hour range depends on how long you linger on the sandbank and whether you snorkel.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

2 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3).

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 animals will I see on Prison Island?

Giant tortoises and peacocks live on Prison Island, and the guide will point them out during the historical site walk. You'll have time to photograph them.

Can I swim at Nakupenda Sandbank?

Yes, swimming is part of the sandbank stop. The water is shallow and turquoise, and you can also snorkel around the nearby coral reefs if you choose.

Is lunch included in this tour?

Lunch is included and served on Nakupenda Sandbank. It features fresh seafood and tropical fruits, eaten on the sand itself.

What kind of boat is used for this tour?

The tour uses local boats that are traditional to Zanzibar, not motorized tour vessels. This is part of the authentic archipelago experience.

Do I need to arrange my own transportation to the meeting point?

You can choose shared pickup and drop-off from your hotel, meet the group at a set point, or book the tour privately. Public transportation options are also available nearby.