Snorkeling in Zanzibar: Spice Farm, Prison Island & Stone Town

Snorkel at Prison Island, taste spices at a working farm, walk Stone Town's slave markets and narrow streets in one day.

A full-day private tour of Zanzibar combining snorkeling at Prison Island with visits to a working spice farm and the UNESCO-listed Stone Town. You'll handle tropical fruits and spices at an organic farm, swim and snorkel around giant tortoises at Changuu Island, then explore Stone Town's historic sites, slave markets and daily markets on foot. Hotel pickup and a traditional Swahili lunch at the farm are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Changuu Island3h
2. Stone Town3h

Explore spice farm, island, and city

• Travel from hotel to spice farm
• Explore and taste spices and fruits
• Enjoy traditional Swahili lunch at farm
• Visit Prison Island and see giant tortoises
• Walk nature trail on Prison Island
• Return to Stone Town for city tour
• See historical sites and markets
• Shop in Stone Town

The experience

The day starts at your hotel and moves through three distinct parts of Zanzibar's identity. First comes the spice farm, where you touch, smell and taste clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, lemongrass, vanilla, turmeric and cardamom as they grow, then taste tropical fruits like papaya, jackfruit and coconut. A traditional Swahili lunch at the farm shows you how these spices actually cook. The farm sits on an organic plot with plants year-round, so what you see changes with the season.

Prison Island, also called Changuu Island, holds an Aldabra Giant Tortoise sanctuary. The tortoises weigh around 200 kg on average. The oldest is over 200 years old. You'll walk a nature trail among them on the beach, then enter the water to snorkel. The island itself was a prison in the 19th century, though the tortoises are what draw visitors now.

The final stop is Stone Town, Zanzibar's historic capital and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000. The narrow streets, slave markets and daily markets reflect centuries of Arab, Indian, Persian and European influence. Your guide walks you through the most significant buildings and sites. An air-conditioned vehicle moves you between all three stops, and bottled water is provided throughout the eight-hour day.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your hotel.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• all fees and taxes.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• traditional Swahili lunch at the spice farm.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (25 to 34 years) · Senior (35 and older) · Youth (18 to 24 years) · Child (6 to 17 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Sweet Apple Tours and Safaris

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French or a fifth language, so you pick the one you're most comfortable with when you book. Children from age one can join, and the vehicle and all sites are wheelchair accessible.

Traveler reviews

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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 (18 to 24 years); Child (6 to 17 years); Infant (1 to 3 years): free.

What can I snorkel at on Prison Island?

Prison Island, or Changuu Island, is home to giant Aldabra tortoises that you can see on the beach and in the water during snorkeling. The tortoises average 200 kg and some are over 100 years old.

What spices will I see and taste at the farm?

The spice farm grows clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, lemongrass, vanilla, turmeric, cardamom, black pepper and chili, along with tropical fruits including papaya, jackfruit, coconut and oranges. You touch, smell and taste them as part of the tour.

What is Stone Town and why does it matter?

Stone Town is Zanzibar's historic capital, named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000. It reflects Arab, Indian, Persian and European influences dating back to the 19th century, with narrow streets, slave markets and daily markets that your guide will show you.

How long is the full day and what's included in the price?

The tour runs eight hours from hotel pickup to return. Private transportation, bottled water, all fees and taxes, an air-conditioned vehicle and a traditional Swahili lunch at the spice farm are included in the price.