Private Catamaran – Stone Town Islands & Sandbanks (5 hrs)

Zanzibar’s best day on the water may be the one that keeps you away from the busiest beaches. This private catamaran carries your group from Stone Town to Prison Island, Nakupenda sandbank, and remote swimming spots, with lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, and sunset sailing included. The boat is part of the experience, not just a ride between stops.

I especially like the space and practical comfort: two bathrooms, showers, changing areas, indoor and outdoor dining, and a Bluetooth sound system. I also like the food planning. The crew asks about meat, seafood, vegetarian, vegan, and allergy needs before departure, then cooks lunch on board. The main drawback is the price, which makes the trip most sensible for a full group rather than a couple.

Key points to know before booking

• Private for up to 12 people: Your group gets the catamaran to itself, with room to spread out and adjust the day to your tastes.
• Three strong stops: The route includes Prison Island, Nakupenda sandbank, and remote beaches sometimes called Secret Island.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect lunch, snacks, fruit, water, soft drinks, beer, and wine.
• Captain Lorne and his crew: The crew is known for polished service, friendly attention, and a clean, well-kept boat.
• Bring your own towels: Snorkeling equipment is supplied, but towels are not.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Setting out from Stone Town

The meeting point is Star Tours Zanzibar, a short walk from the Cape Town Fish Market restaurant. Pickup is offered, and private transportation is included, so you can ask about the arrangements when you book. The cruise returns to the same meeting point.

The published information gives the activity an approximate length of eight hours, while the title describes it as a five-hour experience. That is worth clearing up before you pay, especially if you have an evening flight, a dinner booking, or a hotel transfer to catch. The planned route includes several stops and a sunset return, so allow most of the day rather than treating this as a quick harbor outing.

There is also a useful bit of planning freedom here. Since the boat is reserved for your group, you can discuss food preferences and custom requests ahead of time. Birthday cakes and similar arrangements can be requested, which makes the cruise a natural fit for a birthday, family outing, or small celebration.

The yacht accommodates up to 12 people. That number matters. A group of six will have plenty of room, while a full group of 12 gets a more social boat day without sharing the vessel with strangers. For a private cruise, that privacy is one of the main reasons to choose this experience over a standard island excursion.

Prison Island brings history, swimming, and tortoises

The first major stop is Prison Island, also known as Changuu Island. You can snorkel in the surrounding water, eat and drink on board, or go ashore to see the giant tortoises.

The tortoise sanctuary entry fee is not included. Bring extra money if that visit is important to you. If you prefer time in the water, you can stay with the crew and use the included snorkeling equipment instead.

This flexible choice is helpful for mixed groups. One person may want to see the tortoises, another may want to swim, and someone else may simply prefer the shade and a cold drink. A private boat means nobody needs to follow a single group schedule as strictly as they would on a shared excursion.

Prison Island can be a busy stop, and the sanctuary visit is the one part of the day that carries an extra charge. The catamaran itself, fuel, crew, food, drinks, and snorkeling are covered, but remember that island entry is separate. Ask the crew about timing and access on the day.

Lunch on board is a real part of the value

Food is one of the strongest reasons this cruise costs more than a basic boat trip. Lunch is prepared on the yacht and can be arranged for meat or seafood lovers, vegetarians, and vegans. Dietary preferences and allergies are requested before the charter, so give clear information when you book.

The included spread covers a full lunch, snacks, fruit, bottled water, soft drinks, beer, and wine. That is not a minor convenience. A day around Zanzibar’s islands can quickly become expensive when you add restaurant meals, drinks, snacks, and boat transfers separately.

The food also gives you a reason to slow down. You can eat indoors or outdoors, then return to the water, relax on deck, or use the boat’s comfortable quarters. Several people who sailed with Captain Lorne and his crew singled out the freshly cooked seafood, chilled wine, and food quality as highlights. That praise is useful because meals on boat trips can be an afterthought. Here, they are treated as part of the outing.

Still, set expectations sensibly. The menu depends on what you request and what can be prepared on the yacht. Send dietary details early, rather than waiting until the morning of departure.

Nakupenda sandbank is the classic Zanzibar stop

After Prison Island, the catamaran heads to Nakupenda sandbank. This is the postcard section of the route: pale sand, open sea, and shallow water suited to swimming and snorkeling.

The sandbank is also a good place to choose your own pace. You can walk and explore, snorkel again, sit in the sun, or stay aboard with a drink. If the tide or weather changes the shape of the sandbank, the yacht still gives you a comfortable base.

A sandbank is exposed by nature, so shade and facilities may be limited away from the catamaran. That makes the boat’s showers, bathrooms, changing rooms, and indoor space particularly useful. You can rinse off after snorkeling, change clothes, and take a break without searching for a public facility.

Bring reef-safe sun protection, a hat, and a cover-up. The provided information specifically asks you to bring your own towels. Snorkeling equipment is included, but a towel is not, and you will want one after swimming.

Secret Island means a quieter final stop

One of the most appealing features is the catamaran’s ability to reach beaches beyond the range of many local boats. The crew refers to one remote beach as Secret Island.

The exact stop can depend on sea conditions and the day’s route, so you should not treat Secret Island as a guaranteed fixed attraction in the same way as Prison Island or Nakupenda. Its value is the possibility of a less crowded beach and a more private stretch of coast.

This is where the private format helps most. The crew can shape the day around swimming, snorkeling, relaxing, and the weather rather than rushing a large shared group from one scheduled stop to the next. If your ideal Zanzibar outing is quiet water, open deck space, and fewer people around you, this part of the route may be the biggest draw.

The tradeoff is that remote stops have fewer services. You are relying on the yacht for food, water, shade, bathrooms, and changes of clothing. Fortunately, this boat is equipped for exactly that kind of day.

A yacht designed for a full day outside

The catamaran has two bathrooms, showers, changing areas, and quarters where you can rest. Those details may sound ordinary until you spend several hours swimming in salt water. Then they become the difference between a pleasant day and a tiring one.

You can choose indoor or outdoor dining. The Bluetooth sound system lets your group provide music, and charging facilities help keep phones and cameras ready for photos. The yacht is described as fully outfitted, with comfort built into the design rather than added as an afterthought.

The boat was also repeatedly praised for being clean, welcoming, and well maintained. Captain Lorne and the crew received particular credit for friendly, professional service and for checking that everyone was comfortable. That attentive style matters on a private charter because the crew can respond to your group instead of managing a large mixed crowd.

The sound system is a nice extra, but keep the setting in mind. This is still a Zanzibar sailing trip, not a floating nightclub. Music can add to a birthday or family day, while the open sea, snorkeling, and sunset should remain the main event.

Returning to Stone Town at sunset

The return to Stone Town is planned for sunset. This may be the most peaceful part of the day, when the swimming is done, lunch has settled, and you can watch the light change over the water from the deck.

A sunset return also gives the outing a satisfying shape. You begin near Stone Town, move outward to islands and sandbanks, then come back to the historic waterfront by boat. If you are staying in Stone Town for three days or more, this cruise fits nicely into a longer visit because it gives you a full day away from the narrow streets and city sights without requiring an overnight trip.

Keep an eye on the time if you have evening plans. The activity ends at the original meeting point, but the duration is listed as approximately eight hours in the practical details and five hours in the title. Confirm the expected return time before departure.

What the $1,300 price really means

The price is $1,300 per group of up to 12 people. At full capacity, that works out to about $108 per person. For a group of six, it is about $217 per person. For four people, the cost rises to $325 each.

That is expensive for a boat outing, but the comparison should be made against the whole package. You are paying for a private yacht, crew, fuel, lunch, snacks, fruit, water, soft drinks, beer, wine, snorkeling equipment, transportation, and a full day on the water. You also avoid sharing the boat with other groups.

For a family or group of friends, the value improves quickly as more people join. A couple may find the price hard to justify unless privacy, custom food, and yacht comfort are the main priorities. A group celebrating a birthday or marking a special occasion may consider the private setting worth the extra cost.

The only clear additional cost listed is the Prison Island sanctuary entry fee. Ask about the amount before you go, since it is not part of the charter price.

Who should book this catamaran?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Groups of friends who can share the $1,300 cost
• Families who want a private boat and flexible activity choices
• Couples celebrating a special occasion, if the budget allows
• People who care about food quality and dietary planning
• Visitors staying in or near Stone Town
• Anyone who wants swimming and snorkeling with proper bathrooms and changing space

It may not be the right choice if you want the cheapest way to reach Nakupenda sandbank. It may also disappoint you if you prefer a tightly timed sightseeing program with guaranteed conditions at every stop. The Secret Island stop depends on the day, and all sailing plans depend on good weather.

Most participants can take part, and service animals are allowed. The meeting point is near public transportation, and pickup is offered. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

The cancellation terms are reasonable: cancel at least 24 hours before the start for a full refund. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. If poor weather forces the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this catamaran if you want the boat itself to be a major part of your Zanzibar day. The combination of private space, attentive crew, proper bathrooms, showers, custom food, drinks, snorkeling, remote beaches, and a sunset return gives you much more than a simple island transfer.

The strongest case is a group of six to 12 people. At that size, the price becomes easier to share, and the private format gives everyone room to relax. Bring towels, confirm the true duration, send dietary information early, and budget separately for Prison Island’s tortoise sanctuary.

For a small group on a tight budget, choose a less expensive shared trip. For everyone else, especially those who value comfort and a well-served day at sea, this is one of Zanzibar’s more complete private boat outings.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran experience last?

The practical details describe the activity as approximately eight hours, while the title refers to five hours. Confirm the exact schedule and return time before booking.

How many people can join the private catamaran?

The yacht accommodates up to 12 people, and only your group participates in the activity.

What is included in the price?

The price includes lunch, snacks, fruit, bottled water, soft drinks, beer, wine, fuel, crew, snorkeling equipment, private transportation, and use of the Bluetooth sound system.

Is the Prison Island tortoise sanctuary entry fee included?

No. The Prison Island sanctuary entry fee is not included in the charter price.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. You are asked to bring your own towels. Snorkeling equipment is provided.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.