Zanzibar: Prison Island Tour with Lunch on the Sandbank

Zanzibar’s Prison Island packs several good island experiences into one outing: old quarantine buildings, giant tortoises, snorkeling, and a seafood BBQ on the sandbank. The island was bought in 1893 by Lloyd Mathews, who built a prison complex that never held prisoners. Instead, it became a quarantine station for people with yellow fever.

I like the mix of history and wildlife, especially the chance to see tortoises that can be more than 100 years old. I also like that the $99 price includes the boat, entrance fee, guide, snorkeling equipment, lunch, water, and snacks. The main concern is organization at the meeting point. One booking ended with no guide waiting at the Old Fort, poor communication, and a different guide appearing at the boats, so arrive early and confirm the departure details before you set off.

Key points to know before you book

• Prison Island’s prison was never used as a prison: The buildings were later used as a quarantine station for yellow fever.
• The tortoise collection is the island’s star attraction: More than 50 tortoises live here, including some over 100 years old.
• Your boat leaves from Stone Town: Meet in front of the Old Fort on Mizingani Road.
• Snorkeling is part of the day: Equipment is supplied, and you can look for tropical fish and coral near the island.
• Lunch is more than a quick sandwich: The spread includes a seafood BBQ, Swahili food, cheese, tropical fruit, and other items.
• The package is fairly complete: Water, snacks, entry, boat transport, a local English-speaking guide, and lunch are included.

A short boat ride from Stone Town

The day begins in front of the Old Fort in Stone Town, on Mizingani Road. This is a clear landmark, but the meeting arrangement deserves care. The guide is supposed to meet you there, then lead you toward the boats.

I would arrive with time to spare rather than walking up at the exact departure time. Keep your phone charged, save the provider’s contact details, and confirm where the boat group will gather. A poor start can be frustrating, particularly when the tour itself is perfectly enjoyable once you reach the island.

The boat transfer is included in the price. The exact boat size, travel time, and group size are not specified, so you should not book this expecting a private cruise or a carefully timed small-group trip. The experience is best viewed as a straightforward island outing from Stone Town, not a luxury yacht excursion.

The return is also included, and the activity ends back at the Old Fort meeting point. That makes this useful if you are staying in or near Stone Town and want a full outing without arranging separate transport.

What Prison Island was really used for

Prison Island’s name creates the wrong first impression. Lloyd Mathews, the British First Minister of Zanzibar at the time, purchased the island in 1893 and built a prison complex there. No prisoners were ever housed in it.

The site instead became a quarantine station for people suffering from yellow fever. That detail gives the island more interest than a simple photo stop. As you walk around, you can connect the remaining buildings with Zanzibar’s past efforts to control serious disease and manage arrivals by sea.

Do not expect a large museum or a long formal tour through restored interiors. The supplied information points to visible remains of the complex and time to explore the island. The value is in seeing the place itself, hearing the story from your local guide, and understanding how the island’s purpose changed.

I like this part because it gives your beach day some substance. You are not only riding out to swim and eat. You get a compact piece of Zanzibar’s political and public-health past before the day shifts toward wildlife and water.

Meeting the giant Aldabra tortoises

The island’s most memorable residents are its tortoises. More than 50 live here, and some are more than a century old. You can see them at close range, take photos, and feed them.

The attraction works well for families, animal lovers, and anyone who enjoys slow, unusual encounters. These are not animals you rush past. Their size and age make the visit feel special, even though the tortoise area can also be one of the busier parts of the stop.

You will have an opportunity to learn why the tortoises live on the island. The information provided does not explain their full origin or care arrangements, so do not expect a detailed conservation presentation. Still, the guide can give the visit context, and the chance to see the animals in person is a strong reason to include Prison Island in your Zanzibar plans.

Peacocks and small antelope also live on the island. They add variety, but the tortoises are the main event. If you have limited time for photographs, give priority to them rather than assuming every animal will appear on cue.

Use care when feeding the tortoises and follow the guide’s instructions. The supplied details confirm that feeding is allowed, but they do not specify what food is provided or how the animals are managed. Sunscreen and sunglasses are especially useful here, since the outdoor portions of the visit leave you exposed to Zanzibar’s strong sun.

Snorkeling near the island

After exploring the island, you can cool off in the surrounding clear water. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins unless you prefer using familiar gear.

The snorkeling section is aimed at a pleasant look beneath the surface rather than a specialist reef expedition. You may see colorful tropical fish and coral near the island. The details do not promise a particular reef site, water depth, or length of time in the water, so conditions and visibility will shape how rewarding this part feels.

I like that the swim follows the island visit. Prison Island can be hot, and time in the water breaks up the walking and sightseeing. You should be comfortable in open water before booking, since the activity is not designed for people who need a fully land-based itinerary.

The tour information does not mention flotation aids, lifeguards, changing rooms, or showers. Bring only what you are happy to get wet, and protect your phone if you plan to take pictures from the boat or water. Water is included, but alcoholic drinks are not.

Lunch on the sandbank

The meal is one of the tour’s strongest practical features. After snorkeling, you settle on the sandbank for a seafood BBQ with Swahili dishes, cheese, tropical fruit, and other food. Drinking water and snacks are also included.

This is a better use of the midday break than returning immediately to Stone Town for lunch. You get to eat beside the water, and the meal connects the outing with Zanzibar’s coastal food traditions. The menu is not presented as a fixed list, so the exact seafood and side dishes may vary.

You should not book this expecting a formal restaurant setting. A sandbank meal is outdoors, exposed to the heat, wind, sand, and changing conditions. That is part of the appeal, but it also means comfort depends on the day. Pack sunglasses, sunscreen, and clothing you do not mind wearing around sand.

Alcohol is excluded, so bring no assumption that drinks are available as part of the package. Water is covered, which matters in Zanzibar’s heat, but you may still want to carry any personal drinks you require.

Is $99 a fair price?

At $99 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day around Stone Town. It does, however, cover the main costs that can make an island trip add up: boat transfer, entrance fees, an English-speaking local guide, snorkeling equipment, lunch, drinking water, and snacks.

The value depends on how many of those parts you would arrange yourself. If you want only a boat ride to Prison Island and a quick look at the tortoises, the price may feel high. If you want history, wildlife, swimming, snorkeling, and a prepared seafood lunch in one package, the amount is easier to justify.

The meal is especially useful for comparing prices. A separate boat trip followed by independent food and equipment arrangements could become inconvenient, even if the headline price looks lower. The package saves you from coordinating several pieces, though you give up some control over timing and food choices.

The weak point is not the list of inclusions. It is the possibility of loose coordination at the start. One person arrived for the scheduled meeting and could not find the promised guide, then was directed to the boats and met by an apparently different guide. Attempts to call and message the company went unanswered.

That problem does not prove every departure will be disorganized, but it is a sensible reason to confirm the meeting point and time. If clear communication is essential to you, this tour carries more risk than a highly structured hotel pickup.

Who will enjoy this outing most?

I would recommend this for you if you want a broad taste of Zanzibar in one day. It suits people who enjoy a mix of short sightseeing stops, animal encounters, swimming, and an informal outdoor meal.

Families may find the tortoises and peacocks more engaging than a long architectural tour. Couples and solo visitors who want an easy day from Stone Town will appreciate having transport, food, and equipment combined.

It is less suitable if you need a quiet, private, or perfectly timed experience. The group size is not stated, and the meeting issue suggests that the operation may depend on local coordination at the dock. You should also skip it if you have back problems or use a wheelchair, since the activity is specifically marked as unsuitable for both.

The itinerary also requires some comfort with outdoor conditions. You will be around boats, sand, sun, and seawater. That is exactly what makes the outing appealing, but it is not an air-conditioned sightseeing circuit.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Wear light clothes and shoes that can cope with walking and sand. Sunglasses and sunscreen are specifically recommended, and I would treat both as essential rather than optional.

Keep your valuables limited. The tour includes water and snacks, but the information does not describe storage facilities, changing rooms, or secure lockers. A small waterproof bag for your phone and money is sensible, though a dry bag is not listed as an included item.

Confirm the meeting point at the Old Fort before the morning of departure. The official start is in front of the Old Fort on Mizingani Road, not at a hotel. If you cannot locate the guide at the stated time, check the nearby route to the boats, but do not assume that any waiting guide is connected to your booking without verifying it.

The provider offers reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Zanzibar schedule is still shifting. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Those terms are useful, but they do not remove the need to check the departure details in advance.

The tour is offered in English. If you need another language, this experience may not be the right fit.

Should you book the Prison Island tour?

Book it if you want one well-filled island day rather than separate bookings for a boat, a wildlife visit, snorkeling, and lunch. The combination of the never-used prison, quarantine history, very old tortoises, clear water, and seafood BBQ gives the outing a satisfying range.

I would hesitate only if dependable meeting arrangements matter more to you than convenience. The reported communication problem is specific and serious enough to note, even though the actual tour content was described as fine. Confirm everything before you leave, arrive early at the Old Fort, and keep the provider’s contact details ready.

For most visitors staying near Stone Town, $99 is reasonable when you use the included boat, meal, gear, entry, water, and guide. It is a good fit for an active half or full-day excursion, provided you are comfortable with outdoor conditions and a little flexibility.

FAQ

Where does the Prison Island tour start?

It starts in front of the Old Fort on Mizingani Road in Stone Town, Zanzibar.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in front of the Old Fort.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes a seafood BBQ, Swahili cuisine, cheese, tropical fruit, and other food.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included in the tour price.

Are boat transfers included?

Yes. Boat transfer to and from the island is included.

What wildlife can I see on Prison Island?

You can see more than 50 tortoises, including some over 100 years old, along with peacocks and small antelope.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users or people with back problems?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for wheelchair users and people with back problems.