Zanzibar Prison Island & Nakupenda Beach Boat Tour

Changuu Island's Untold History: A 30-Minute Boat Ride to Zanzibar's Most Misnamed Prison

You board a boat in Stone Town and cross to Changuu Island in half an hour, where a guide walks you through the island's actual history as a slave-holding station before colonial powers renamed it. Snorkeling gear is provided, and you spend time in the water around Nakupenda Beach before returning to your hotel. Hotel pickup, all entry fees, water, and a professional guide are included. The whole experience runs without hidden costs or separate arrangements.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Prison Island and Nakupenda Beach

• Boat ride from Unguja to Prison Island
• Explore Prison Island
• Visit Nakupenda Beach
• Return to Unguja

The experience

"The island, it was never a prison," your guide will tell you within minutes of the boat leaving the dock. "The name, it stuck anyway." That contradiction (the thing everyone calls Prison Island despite its actual purpose) is what makes the 30-minute crossing from Stone Town worth taking. Changuu Island held enslaved people awaiting sale to Arabian traders, a detail the colonial name buried. The boat ride itself is smooth and short, which means you're not spending half the day in transit. You're spending it on the island and in the water around Nakupenda Beach.

The tour moves between three things: the island itself, where the stone structures still stand and the history sits heavier than any guidebook makes it; snorkeling in the shallows around Nakupenda, where the reef is close enough to reach without a long swim; and time on the beach itself, which is the kind of white sand that feels almost unreal until you're standing on it. Your guide is experienced and knows the water, the currents, and which spots hold the most fish. Snorkeling gear (mask, flippers, life jacket) comes with you, so you don't rent separately or worry about fit. The boat charter is yours for the day, not a shared speedboat with thirty other tourists crammed in.

Hotel pickup and drop-off mean you don't navigate the Stone Town streets looking for a dock or negotiate transport back after you're tired and wet. Bottled water is included, which matters more than it sounds when you're in the sun for hours. All entrance fees, taxes, and fuel surcharges are built into the price, so there are no surprises at the gate or on the boat. The whole day is structured to move without friction. You show up at your hotel, the boat leaves at a set time, and you return knowing exactly what you paid.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a 30-minute boat ride to Changuu Island, entrance fees to the island, snorkeling gear (life jacket, mask, and flippers), time at Nakupenda Beach, bottled water throughout the tour, and a professional guide. All taxes, fuel surcharges, and service fees are included in the price.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private Sandbanks & PrisonGuide in 5 languages · 09:00Seafood, beer and soda water, private sandbank and Prison Island

CoupleGuide in 5 languages · 20 departure times: the first at 01:00, the last at 17:30Nakupenda BBQ picnic on Prison Island: a beach experience on the island where you enjoy your favorite fruit, best for you and best for us. Duration: 7 hours. Includes food and drinks. Couple tours. Nakupenda experience.

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day19 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 17:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (3 to 5 years) · Under 3: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

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.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availableNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Mody Zanzibar Tours & Safaris

Is this one for you?Book this if you want Zanzibar's island and beach experience without arranging separate transport, rental gear, or entry tickets: the fixed price and included pickup mean you step out of your hotel and onto the boat, nothing else to organize.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

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

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (3 to 5 years). Under 3: they can't be included in the booking.

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.

How long is the boat ride from Stone Town to Prison Island?

Approximately 30 minutes.

What snorkeling gear is provided?

Life jacket, mask, and flippers are included.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from your hotel are part of the tour.

What is included in the price?

Entrance fees, all taxes, fuel surcharges, bottled water, snorkeling gear, boat charter, professional guide, and hotel transport.

Can infants come on this tour?

Yes. Infants must sit on an adult's lap, and specialized infant seats are available.

Is this tour suitable for people with mobility concerns?

It is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries.

What is the difference between Prison Island and Nakupenda Beach?

Changuu Island (Prison Island) is the main stop, where you see the historical structures and learn about the island's past. Nakupenda Beach is the snorkeling and beach area nearby.

Do I need to bring my own snorkeling gear?

No, snorkeling equipment is provided as part of the tour.