Private Catamaran Zanzibar: Prison Island & Nakupenda Sandbank

Prison Island's tortoises are over a hundred years old, and you can stand within arm's reach of them.

An 8-hour private catamaran charter from Zanzibar visits Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank with a chef, full meals, drinks, and snorkeling gear aboard. You swim and snorkel at both stops, interact with the island's giant tortoises if you choose, and return as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean. The boat carries only your group, with two bathrooms, sun decks, and shaded lounges.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each2 stops

1. Changuu Island1h
2. Nakupenda BeachEntry included1h 30m

Private catamaran island tour

• Board private 65-foot catamaran
• Visit Prison Island and see tortoises
• Explore old quarantine buildings
• Go ashore, swim, or snorkel at Prison Island
• Travel to Nakupenda Sandbank
• Enjoy lunch on Nakupenda Sandbank
• Swim and snorkel at Nakupenda Sandbank
• Relax on sandbank and sunbathe
• Return cruise at sunset over Indian Ocean

The experience

The catamaran departs Stone Town and heads out to Prison Island, also called Changuu Island. Despite its name, it never held prisoners. It was built as a quarantine station for yellow fever cases in the 1800s. What draws visitors now are the giant tortoises, some over a hundred years old, originally brought from the Seychelles. You can walk the island, see the old quarantine buildings, and get close to the tortoises if you want to. Entry to the island costs extra and is paid on arrival.

From there, the boat sails to Nakupenda Sandbank, a strip of sand that appears at low tide off Zanzibar's coast. The name means "I love you" in Swahili. The chef prepares lunch onboard or on the sand (meat, seafood, vegetarian or vegan, whatever you request beforehand), and you eat surrounded by the Indian Ocean. After lunch, the sandbank becomes a snorkeling site. The water is clear and the coral reefs hold small fish and other marine life. You can also swim or simply rest on the sand.

The boat is a 65-foot power catamaran with two bathrooms, expansive sun decks, shaded lounge areas, and freshwater showers. Drinks flow throughout the day: wine, beer, soft drinks, and juices. Snorkeling gear is provided, and the crew handles setup and safety. The return cruise is timed to catch the sunset over the water, ending the day as light fades.

What’s included

• Chef-prepared lunch customized to your dietary preferences.
• snacks.
• beer, wine, soft drinks, and juices.
• snorkeling gear and instruction.
• use of the boat's two bathrooms, sun decks, shaded lounges, and freshwater showers.
• return timed to sunset.

Information

Lasts 8h, runs every day at 10:00, from US$ 2,000 per group, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00Another time? ›

GroupPrivate

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.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Queen of Zanzibar Yacht

Is this one for you?The boat is private to your group alone, so families, friends, or couples control the pace and stops without sharing space or time with other travelers. A crew of eight ensures meals, drinks, and snorkeling gear are ready when you need them.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★Exceptional16 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

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 giant tortoises on Prison Island, and where did they come from?

Prison Island's tortoises are over a hundred years old and were originally brought from the Seychelles. They live freely on the island, and you can walk close to them and observe them during your visit if you choose to interact with them.

What happens at Nakupenda Sandbank, and when can you visit it?

Nakupenda Sandbank appears at low tide off Zanzibar's coast and is the lunch and snorkeling stop on the tour. The chef prepares a full meal there, and after eating, the clear water and coral reefs make it a snorkeling site where you can see marine life.

What food and drinks are included on the boat?

Chef-prepared lunch is customized to your dietary preferences: meat, seafood, vegetarian, or vegan. The boat also provides snacks, beer, wine, soft drinks, and juices throughout the day. Let the operator know your preferences before the charter.

Is entry to Prison Island included in the price?

Prison Island entry is not included and costs extra, paid when you arrive at the island. Snorkeling gear, meals, drinks, and use of the boat's facilities are all included.

What is the boat like, and what facilities does it have?

The catamaran is 65 feet long with two bathrooms, expansive sun decks, shaded lounge areas, and freshwater showers. It carries only your group, so you have full privacy and space to move around throughout the day.