Zanzibar Snorkeling Tour: Prison Island & Starfish Beach

Snorkel with starfish in the shallows, then watch the sun drop into the Indian Ocean over dinner

An eleven-hour snorkeling tour from Zanzibar hotels visiting Prison Island, Blue Lagoon atoll and Starfish Beach, with a guide in your choice of language, private transport, lunch at Secret Garden and a three-course sunset dinner at The Rock Restaurant. Snorkeling gear is provided. Lunch and dinner are pre-booked at set times, and the itinerary runs the same each day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Zanzibar's islands and dining

• Visit Prison Island and see giant tortoises
• Lunch at Secret Garden Restaurant
• Snorkel at Blue Lagoon Atoll
• Relax and explore Starfish Beach
• Dinner at The Rock Restaurant with ocean view

The experience

The day starts at Prison Island (Changuu Island), where you snorkel on pristine coral with your guide before walking to the viewpoint at the historical buildings and a jetty where peacocks roam. Giant tortoises rest on the white sand beach. Lunch follows at Secret Garden, a quiet restaurant in Stone Town with decorated architecture, then transport takes you east to Michamvi for the afternoon water time: Blue Lagoon atoll and its coral garden, where you wade into shallow water to snorkel among starfish in their natural habitat. The Indian Ocean here is clear and calm enough for kids and adults alike.

Starfish Beach comes next. The name is literal, and the sand is the kind that photographs well. You have time to relax and swim before heading to The Rock Restaurant for a three-hour sunset dinner with a view across the water. The meal is three courses of seafood or Swahili specialties, opened with chilled sparkling wine. Transport back to your hotel closes the day around 8 or 9 p.m., depending on the season and the light.

Private transport picks you up from any Zanzibar beach hotel and runs air-conditioned throughout the day, with WiFi on board and bottled water. Snorkeling gear is included. The guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian or one of eight other languages, so the commentary reaches whoever is in the van. Children from age one travel. Infant seats and stroller space are available. All surfaces and areas are wheelchair accessible, and the vehicle itself is fitted for wheelchair users.

What’s included

• Private transport from your Zanzibar beach hotel with air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi and bottled water.
• snorkeling gear for both stops.
• lunch at Secret Garden Restaurant in Stone Town.
• a three-course sunset dinner at The Rock Restaurant with sparkling wine (optional add-on).
• guide in your choice of language.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (25 to 55 years) · Senior (60 to 80 years) · Youth (15 to 20 years) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, Czech, Dutch, Hebrew, Polish and Ukrainian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 39 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Africa & Beyond Tours & Travel Ltd

Is this one for you?The guide speaks ten languages, so book this if your group needs commentary in Spanish, Portuguese, Italian or another language beyond English. The fixed schedule (lunch at noon, dinner at sunset) locks the day into one itinerary, which works well for families with young kids or anyone who prefers not to choose stops on the fly.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Czech, Arabic, Ukrainian, Polish, Hebrew and Dutch.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (15 to 20 years); Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (1 to 4 years).

What is Prison Island and what do you actually do there?

Prison Island, also called Changuu Island, is a small island off Zanzibar where you snorkel on pristine coral with your guide, then walk to a viewpoint overlooking the historical prison buildings and a long jetty where peacocks live. Giant tortoises rest on the white sand beach, and you have time to swim and explore before transport takes you to the next stop.

Are lunch and dinner included, and what time do they happen?

Lunch at Secret Garden is included and pre-booked for noon. Dinner at The Rock Restaurant is a three-course meal of seafood or Swahili specialties with sparkling wine, pre-booked for the sunset slot (timing depends on the season). Dinner is an optional add-on at checkout. Lunch is included in the base price.

How long is the full day, and what time does pickup happen?

The tour runs eleven hours from hotel pickup to return. Your hotel concierge or the operator will confirm the exact pickup time when you book, as it depends on which hotel you're staying at and the season.