Stone Town Walking Tour & Nakupenda Sandbank Snorkeling

Stone Town's history, then Nakupenda's waters, in one morning

A half-day combo tour in Zanzibar pairs a guided walking tour through UNESCO-listed Stone Town with a boat ride to Nakupenda Sandbank for snorkeling and lunch. You'll explore historical sites like the House of Wonders, the Old Fort, and Freddie Mercury's House on foot, then swim and snorkel in clear water while eating fresh seafood on the beach. A professional guide, snorkeling gear, and all transport are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stone Town tour and Nakupenda beach

• Walk through Stone Town streets
• Visit House of Wonders and Old Fort
• See former Slave Market and landmarks
• Boat ride to Nakupenda Sandbank
• Swim and snorkel at sandbank
• Enjoy seafood lunch on beach

The experience

Stone Town's narrow streets hold layers of Swahili, Arab, and European influence built into the same walls. Your guide walks you through the House of Wonders, the Old Fort, and the former Slave Market, pointing out the architecture and stories that shaped the island. The Anglican Cathedral and Freddie Mercury's House sit among the everyday shops and residences, so the history is woven into where people actually live and work, not cordoned off.

After the walking section, a boat carries you out to Nakupenda Sandbank. The sandbank itself is the draw: a strip of sand surrounded by clear water where you can swim and snorkel without fighting a current or a crowd. Snorkeling gear is provided, and the reef life here is close enough to reach without a long boat ride. Lunch is a seafood spread served on the beach, so you eat where you swam.

The tour runs about six hours total, which means the cultural part and the beach part both get real time instead of one rushing past the other. You're not sprinting through Stone Town to catch a boat, and you're not sitting on a sandbank waiting for the day to end. A professional local guide leads the whole thing and speaks English throughout.

What’s included

• Bottled water.
• snorkeling gear.
• seafood lunch at the sandbank.
• professional local guide who speaks English.
• guided walking tour of Stone Town.
• round-trip boat ride to Nakupenda Sandbank.

Options for this experience

2 options

Tours onlyGuide in English · 09:00

Tours and transport servicesGuide in English · 07:30 and 09:00Pickup is included

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:30 and 09:00

Book up to6h before

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 80 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (8 to 12 years) · Infant (under 8): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

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 11 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Cultural Zanzibar Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the Tours + Transport Services option if you're staying outside Stone Town and want pickup from your hotel included. The Tours Only option works if you can reach the starting point on your own or prefer to arrange your own transport to and from the tour.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (8 to 12 years); Infant (under 8): free.

What historical sites does the Stone Town walking section actually cover?

Stone Town includes the House of Wonders, the Old Fort, the former Slave Market, the Anglican Cathedral, and Freddie Mercury's House. Your guide walks the narrow streets to show how Swahili, Arab, and European architecture and influence shaped the same buildings over centuries.

Is snorkeling gear provided, or do I need to bring my own?

Snorkeling gear is provided as part of the tour. You don't need to pack it or rent it separately.

What is Nakupenda Sandbank actually like for snorkeling?

Nakupenda is a sandbank surrounded by clear water with reef life close to the surface. You can swim and snorkel without a long boat ride to reach the reef, and the sandbank itself is the main site. You're not traveling to a separate snorkeling location.

Is lunch included, and what kind of food is it?

Lunch is included and consists of a seafood spread served on the beach at Nakupenda. You eat after swimming and snorkeling.

Does the tour include hotel pickup, or do I meet the guide in Stone Town?

Pickup is included if you book the Tours + Transport Services option. If you book Tours Only, you'll meet the guide at the Stone Town starting point. Both options include the walking tour, boat ride, snorkeling, and lunch.