Zanzibar Turtles Sanctuary: Swim with Turtles in Underground Pool

The turtles share the water with you, not behind glass or a barrier.

Turtles Sanctuary in Zanzibar is a guided swimming tour to a natural underground pool where you enter the water alongside turtles and photograph them in their habitat. Hotel pickup runs at 9am or 12pm depending on your choice, and the transfer takes roughly one to two hours total. A live English-speaking guide leads the visit. Children from age one are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Turtles Sanctuary in Zanzibar

• Pick up from hotel at 9:00am or 12:00pm
• Transfer to Turtles Sanctuary in Unguja Zanzibar
• Swim and take photos with turtles
• Relax and enjoy the peaceful cave
• Return to hotel with driver

The experience

The Turtles Sanctuary sits in Unguja, Zanzibar, as a natural swimming pool fed by underground springs. You're picked up from your hotel at either 9am or noon, then driven to the site. Once there, you wade or swim into the pool where the turtles live, not in a tank or enclosure, but in the open water of the cave itself. The guide stays with you throughout, pointing out the animals and helping with photos while you're in the water.

The cave opens to the sky in places, so birds move overhead as you swim. The water is cool and clear. You can spend as long as you want in the pool taking photos and watching the turtles move around you. After you've finished swimming, your driver waits to take you back to your hotel. The whole outing runs between one and two hours from pickup to drop-off.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off at your choice of 9am or 12pm.
• transfer to the Turtles Sanctuary.
• live English-speaking guide throughout your visit.
• all entry fees and taxes.

Information

Lasts 1h–2h, runs every day at 09:00, 12:00 and 14:00, from US$ 100 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 12:00 and 14:00

GroupUp to 201 private ›

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 7 pickup points.

AgesAdult (18 to 75 years) · Senior (77 and older) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (1 to 2 years): free

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

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Mo Tours & Safaris

Is this one for you?You swim in the water with the turtles rather than watching from the shore or a platform, which is what makes close-up photos and direct observation possible. This suits anyone who wants to be in the habitat itself, not observing it from outside, and anyone traveling with young children, since the guide stays present and the pool is a controlled natural environment.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (1 to 2 years): free.

What exactly is the Turtles Sanctuary in Zanzibar?

The Turtles Sanctuary is a natural underground swimming pool in Unguja, Zanzibar, where turtles live in the open water. You swim in the same pool as the animals rather than viewing them from a distance or through barriers.

What time does the tour start and how long does it take?

Pickup happens at either 9am or 12pm, depending on which option you choose at checkout. The entire outing, including transfer and swimming time, takes between one and two hours.

Is a guide included, and what language do they speak?

Yes, a live guide in English is included with every booking. The guide stays with you in and around the water to point out the turtles and help with photography.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, transfer to and from the Sanctuary, guide services, and all fees and taxes are included. Food and drink are not.