Prison Island & Nakupenda Sandbank tour: Tortoises & swimming

Aldabra giant tortoises roam the ruins of a 19th-century prison island.

A full-day tour from Zanzibar departing your hotel and reaching Prison Island by boat to see Aldabra giant tortoises and explore the ruins, then continuing to Nakupenda Sandbank for swimming, lunch and relaxation before returning to your hotel. The guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French and one additional language, and all transport, food and water are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Changuu Island3h · entry included
2. Nakupenda Beach3h · entry included

Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank trip

• Pick up from hotel
• Drive or walk to Tembo House Hotel
• Walk to local harbor
• Boat trip to Prison Island
• Explore Prison Island ruins and see giant tortoise
• Boat trip to Nakupenda Sandbank
• Relax and swim at Nakupenda Sandbank
• Enjoy seafood lunch on sandbank
• Walk and take photos on sandbank
• Boat trip back to local harbor
• Car transfer back to hotel

The experience

Hotel pickup starts the morning, with a drive or walk to Tembo House Hotel near the local harbor, where you board a boat for a 25-minute crossing to Prison Island. There you walk the ruins of the 19th-century prison and encounter the Aldabra giant tortoises that live on the island. A local guide leads both stops and explains what you're seeing.

After Prison Island, another 25-minute boat ride takes you to Nakupenda Sandbank, a white sand bar in shallow turquoise water. While the chef prepares lunch, you swim, walk the sandbank and take photos. Lunch is seafood cooked on-site, served with soft drinks and fresh fruit. You spend several hours here before the boat returns you to Tembo House Hotel and a car ride back to your hotel.

The full day runs 6 to 9 hours depending on how long you linger at Nakupenda. If you want to shop in Stone Town on the way back, the driver can arrange a stop. Transportation, bottled water, lunch and all fees are included in the price.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return transport by car.
• boat trips to Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank.
• seafood lunch prepared on-site.
• soft drinks and fresh fruit.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• a live guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French or one additional language.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

AgesAdult (18 to 49 years) · Senior (50 to 60 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupUp to 14 · max 8 per booking

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, 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 7 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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Captain Barnaba Excursions

Is this one for you?The guide speaks your language (English, Spanish, Italian, French or another option), so you follow the commentary at Prison Island and understand the history of the ruins and the tortoises without translation gaps.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (under 5): 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 are the Aldabra giant tortoises on Prison Island?

Aldabra giant tortoises are massive reptiles native to the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles. The ones on Prison Island are part of a conservation population you'll see during the ruins walk.

How long is the boat ride to Prison Island?

The boat trip from Tembo House Harbor to Prison Island takes 25 minutes, and the return journey from Prison Island to Nakupenda Sandbank is another 25 minutes.

What kind of lunch is served at Nakupenda Sandbank?

Lunch is seafood prepared fresh by the tour chef on the sandbank, served with soft drinks and fresh fruit. The meal is included in the tour price.

Can I arrange a stop in Stone Town on the way back?

Yes, if you want to shop or explore Stone Town, the driver can stop there on the return journey to your hotel, though it is not a scheduled part of the itinerary.

What's included in the tour price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, all boat transport, bottled water, lunch, soft drinks, fruit and all fees and taxes are included. Tips are not.