Prison Island & Nakupenda Beach tour from Stone Town with lunch

Giant tortoises and a sandbank that disappears with the tide

A full-day boat tour from Stone Town visiting Prison Island (Changuu Island) and Nakupenda Beach sandbank, with a guide in English. You'll see 300-year-old Giant Aldabra Tortoises, peacocks and antelope on Prison Island, then swim and eat lunch on the sandbank. The tour includes private transport, fruit snacks, bottled water and a choice of seafood, chicken or vegetarian lunch. Pickup is available from Stone Town or anywhere in Zanzibar.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Changuu Island2h
2. Nakupenda Beach2h

Prison Island and Nakupenda Beach tour

• Boat from Stone Town, see landmarks
• Visit Prison Island, see tortoises and ruins
• Boat to Nakupenda Beach, swim and relax
• Enjoy fresh lunch on the beach
• Return to Stone Town, transfer to hotel

The experience

The boat leaves Stone Town in the morning, passing Forodhani Park, the Old Fort and the House of Wonders as you head out to the islands. Prison Island (also called Changuu Island) is home to Giant Aldabra Tortoises gifted by the Seychelles government. The oldest is 198 years old and can live to 300. You'll also see peacocks and small antelope called Dik Diks roaming the grounds, along with the ruins of the old quarantine station that gave the island its name.

After Prison Island, the boat takes you to Nakupenda Beach, a sandbank that shifts with the tides and is known locally as the disappeared island. This is where you swim, relax and eat. Lunch is prepared fresh on the beach and you choose from three options: a seafood buffet with lobster, shrimp, fish and calamari; chicken and sausages with fries and salads; or a vegetarian spread with chapati, fries and extra fruit. Fruit snacks and drinks come throughout the day.

The tour runs 5 to 6 hours total and includes an air-conditioned vehicle for transport to and from the boat. A guide speaks English and travels with you. Pickup is arranged from Stone Town or from your hotel anywhere in Zanzibar, depending on which option you choose at checkout.

What’s included

• Private transport in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• boat rides to Prison Island and Nakupenda Beach.
• English-speaking guide.
• fresh fruit snacks including watermelon, bananas, pineapple, mangoes, oranges and coconut.
• bottled water and soda.
• fresh lunch on the beach with your choice of seafood buffet, chicken and sausages, or vegetarian option.

Options for this experience

2 options

Stone Town pickupGuide in English · 09:30, 10:00 and 10:30Stone Town: this price includes pickup and drop-off to and from any hotel or accommodation located within Stone Town, pickup is included

Pickup from anywhere in ZanzibarGuide in English · 09:00 and 10:00Zanzibar: this price includes pickup and drop-off to and from any hotel or accommodation in Zanzibar, pickup is included

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 09:30, 10:00 and 10:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (2 to 10 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 38 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 22

Prices and times updated 16 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats available

Operated by Xtra Adventures

Is this one for you?Choose pickup from Stone Town if you're staying in the old city center. If you're based elsewhere in Zanzibar, arrange pickup from your hotel. The 5 to 6 hour timeframe fits a single morning or afternoon, leaving room for other activities on the same day.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 10 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What are the Giant Aldabra Tortoises on Prison Island?

Giant Aldabra Tortoises are massive reptiles that can live 300 years. The oldest one at Prison Island is 198 years old. They were a gift to Zanzibar from the Seychelles government and now live on the island alongside peacocks and small antelope.

Is Nakupenda Beach a real island or does it disappear?

Nakupenda Beach is a sandbank that shifts with the tides, which is why locals call it the disappeared island. It's one of Zanzibar's most beautiful beaches and you'll have time to swim and relax there before lunch is prepared on the sand.

What lunch options are available on the beach?

You choose one of three lunch options prepared fresh on the beach: a seafood buffet with lobster, shrimp, fish, octopus and calamari; a non-seafood option with chicken, sausages, fries and salads; or a vegetarian option with chapati, fries and extra salads and fruit.

Where does the boat depart from and how long is the tour?

The boat departs from Stone Town and the full tour lasts 5 to 6 hours, including time on both Prison Island and Nakupenda Beach. Pickup from Stone Town or from your hotel anywhere in Zanzibar is included, depending on which option you select.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes private transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, boat rides to both islands, a guide who speaks English, fresh fruit snacks (watermelon, bananas, pineapple, mangoes, oranges, coconut), bottled water and soda, and your choice of lunch prepared on Nakupenda Beach.