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Zanzibar Shore excursions

Our most recommended Zanzibar Shore excursions

Zanzibar: Prison Island Tour with Lunch on the Sandbank

1. Zanzibar: Prison Island Tour with Lunch on the Sandbank

Your Zanzibar adventure begins with a visit to Prison Island, purchased in 1893 by Lloyd Mathews, the British First Minister of Zanzibar at the time. Mathews constructed a prison complex on the island which is still visible today, however no prisoners were ever housed on the island and instead it became a quarantine station for yellow fever sufferers. On the island, spend some time exploring the area and discover the collection of over 50 tortoises that live here, some of which are more than 100 years old. Learn about why the tortoises call the island their home, as well as taking photos and feeding them too. The island is also home to peacocks and small antelope too. Once you’ve explored the island, enjoy the opportunity to cool off from the hot weather with a refreshing dip in the surrounding crystal clear waters. Spend some time snorkeling in the water just off the island and search for colorful tropical fish and vibrant coral reef. After you’ve worked up an appetite from swimming, relax on the sandbank with a delicious lunch including a seafood BBQ, Swahili cuisine, cheese, tropical fruit, and more.

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Frequently asked questions about Zanzibar Shore excursions

What are other things to do than Shore excursions that are worth visiting in Zanzibar?

The other unmissable things to do in Zanzibar are:

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Which Zanzibar Shore excursions are taking additional COVID-19 precautions?

These Zanzibar Shore excursions are taking additional COVID-19 precautions:

Other Sightseeing Options in Zanzibar

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What people are saying about Zanzibar

Overall rating

4.0 / 5

based on 1 reviews

Fantastic day out, bit hectic at the start finding our guide among the hundreds of locals around but once we located our guide who I should stress had a lanyard and GetYourGuide I'd we were sized for flippers and handed over to Captain Simba. Fantastic tour and knowledge from Simba. Told us about his life which was very nice to hear. A genuinly nice guy. 45min-1h on prison Island was enough to see the turtles and look round, some reviews say there's not much to see and they are right, but it's interesting! Onto snorkeling which was again lovely, Simba kicked back and relaxed while we explored the reef for god knows how long. Seafood and chips for lunch and lots of it, the octopus was amazing! Journeyed back to shore for 2pm with enough time to catch out ferry.

I recommend this activity with your eyes closed. You leave for the prison island with the turtle reserve, you are entitled to a private visit with the guide. You then leave for a splendid island where you are served a meal made on site, in the shade of a "homemade" shelter. Then you go near a coral reef for snorkeling. It's just wonderful ! Everyone is lovely and caring

A highly recommendable tour. The bay near Stone Town is incredibly beautiful, the sand bank is amazing, Prison Island also fascinating. We got to see lots of animals (starfish en masse of varying colors!, dikdiks, innumerable giant turtles, peacocks...), the tent thingy they put up at the sandbank was really perfect, the boat transfer top. The guide kind and helpful.

The ride was amazing! A wonderful snorkeling experience and a great delicious barbecue on a beautiful sandbank - with super friendly company. Thanks very much!

Very good guide and a very nice experience. Unfortunately, there was nothing to see when diving.