Prison Island Tour

Zanzibar’s Prison Island Tour offers a unique glimpse into the island’s vibrant history. Departing from Stone Town, the half-day adventure transports visitors to a captivating former prison site, where they can explore the historic buildings and encounter giant tortoises roaming the grounds. But the tour’s highlights extend beyond the island’s rich past – participants can also indulge in refreshing swims and snorkeling among the island’s vibrant coral reefs, surrounded by the breathtaking natural beauty that makes Zanzibar a true gem. With knowledgeable guides, a delightful lunch, and a small-group setting, this experience promises an immersive and unforgettable journey for anyone seeking to uncover Zanzibar’s fascinating story.

Key Points

• A half-day excursion from Stone Town, Tanzania, that explores the historical prison buildings and natural wonders of the nearby Prison Island.
• Includes a boat transfer with stunning Indian Ocean views, guided visits to the island’s attractions, and opportunities for swimming and snorkeling.
• Features a sanctuary home to famous giant tortoises, providing a unique encounter with these remarkable creatures.
• Highly rated by past visitors, with praise for knowledgeable guides, impressive museum exhibits, and abundant photo opportunities.
• Priced at $55.00 per person, with a comprehensive package covering the key highlights of the Prison Island experience.

Tour Overview

The Prison Island Tour offers a unique opportunity to explore Zanzibar’s rich history and natural wonders. This half-day excursion takes visitors to the scenic Prison Island, located just off the coast of Stone Town.

The tour includes a two-way boat transfer, allowing travelers to enjoy the stunning views of the Indian Ocean and the island’s lush surroundings. Highlights of the tour include exploring the island’s historical prison buildings, encountering the giant tortoises at the island sanctuary, and enjoying opportunities for swimming and snorkeling around the vibrant coral reefs.

With a small-group size, the tour ensures personalized service and an immersive experience. The tour is priced at $55.00 per person and departs from the meeting point in front of the Old Fort in Stone Town at 9:00 AM.

Location and Duration

Located just off the coast of Stone Town in Zanzibar, Tanzania, the Prison Island Tour takes visitors on a half-day excursion to explore the island’s historical and natural attractions.

This tour allows guests to:

1. Discover the island’s former use as a prison and learn about its fascinating history through guided visits to the historical buildings.

2. Encounter the island’s famous giant tortoises, which have been sheltered in a dedicated sanctuary.

3. Enjoy opportunities for swimming and snorkeling around the island’s picturesque coral reefs.

With a duration of approximately half a day, the Prison Island Tour provides a well-rounded experience for visitors to Zanzibar, balancing cultural and natural elements in a convenient and accessible manner.

Reviews and Pricing

Travelers appear highly satisfied with the Prison Island Tour, awarding it an impressive overall rating of 4.0 out of 25 reviews.

The tour’s pricing, starting from $55.00, aligns with the high-quality experience it provides, which includes round-trip boat transfers, lunch, and the use of snorkeling equipment.

Reviewers have highlighted the knowledgeable guides and the impressive museum exhibits, praising the abundance of photo opportunities throughout the tour.

The tour company also accommodates schedule changes as needed, demonstrating their commitment to customer satisfaction.

Meeting and End Point

The Prison Island Tour conveniently starts and ends at the meeting point located on Mizingani Road, in front of the Old Fort in Forodhani, Stone Town, with the tour kicking off at 9:00 AM.

This centralized location makes it easy for guests to find and access the tour. At the end of the excursion, the boat returns to this same spot, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free transition back to your Zanzibar accommodations.

The tour’s comprehensive itinerary includes:

1. Two-way boat transfers from Stone Town to Prison Island

2. Exploration of the historical prison buildings and giant tortoise sanctuary

3. Ample time for swimming, snorkeling, and enjoying lunch at the island’s restaurant before heading back.

Tour Highlights

Embarking on the Prison Island Tour, visitors can expect to explore the island’s historical prison buildings and encounter the giant tortoises that inhabit the on-site sanctuary. The two-way boat transfer from Stone Town is included, allowing travelers to fully enjoy the island’s rich history and natural beauty.

Along With the prison and tortoise encounters, the tour offers opportunities for swimming and snorkeling around the island’s vibrant coral reefs. With a small-group size, the tour ensures personalized service and ample chances to capture stunning photographs of the island’s unique features.

Throughout the experience, travelers can enjoy bottled water, snacks, and a provided lunch at the island’s restaurant.

Inclusions and Exclusions

The Prison Island Tour includes a boat transfer from Stone Town, bottled water and snacks, a provided lunch at the island’s restaurant, and use of snorkeling equipment.

However, transportation from other parts of Zanzibar and parking fees are excluded from the tour package.

The tour provides:

1. Two-way boat transfer from Stone Town to Prison Island

2. Lunch at the island’s restaurant

3. Snorkeling equipment for exploring the surrounding coral reefs

While the tour doesn’t include transportation from other areas of Zanzibar or parking fees, it offers a comprehensive package that covers the key highlights of the Prison Island experience.

Travelers can enjoy the full range of activities without additional costs.

Additional Information

Confirmation of the booking is received upon completing the reservation.

The tour isn’t accessible for wheelchair users.

Children can join the tour at a discounted rate when accompanied by two paying adults, though infants must be held on an adult’s lap.

Participants should possess a moderate level of physical fitness to fully enjoy the experience.

This is a private tour, meaning only members of the same booking group will be present.

Travelers can take advantage of the free cancellation policy up to 24 hours before the tour starts.

Traveler Feedback

According to the reviews, travelers praise the knowledgeable guides who lead the Prison Island Tour, highlighting the impressive museum exhibits that provide insights into the island’s history.

Numerous visitors note the abundance of photo opportunities throughout the tour, capturing the scenic landscapes and unique flora and fauna.

The tour company also accommodates schedule changes as needed, ensuring a seamless experience for guests.

Travelers have shared their positive experiences:

1. ‘The guide was incredibly knowledgeable and brought the island’s past to life.’

2. ‘We loved spotting the giant tortoises and swimming in the crystal-clear waters.’

3. ‘The tour exceeded our expectations, and we’d highly recommend it to anyone visiting Zanzibar.’

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Tour Suitable for Young Children?

The tour may not be fully suitable for young children, as it requires a moderate level of physical fitness and provides limited accommodations for infants. However, child rates are available when sharing with paying adults.

Can We Bring Our Own Snorkeling Equipment?

Yes, travelers can bring their own snorkeling equipment on the tour. The tour includes the use of snorkeling gear, but if guests prefer to use their own equipment, they’re welcome to do so. This provides more flexibility during the snorkeling activities.

Is There a Dress Code for the Tour?

There is typically no strict dress code for this type of tour, though wearing comfortable, lightweight clothing and closed-toe shoes is recommended. The tour involves walking and exploring outdoor areas, so dressing appropriately for the weather and activities is advised.

Can We Extend the Tour Duration if Needed?

The tour duration can generally be extended if needed, though it would depend on the tour provider’s policies and availability. Travelers should discuss any requests to extend the tour duration directly with the tour company prior to the scheduled start time.

Are There Any Restrictions on Taking Photographs?

According to the tour details, there are no specific restrictions on taking photographs during the tour. Visitors are generally free to take photos, though they may need to exercise discretion in certain areas or when requested by the guides.

The Sum Up

The Prison Island Tour offers a captivating half-day excursion that immerses visitors in Zanzibar’s rich history and natural wonders.

With a scenic boat transfer, exploration of historical sites, encounters with giant tortoises, and snorkeling in vibrant coral reefs, the tour provides a well-rounded and memorable experience.

At $55 per person, the tour’s inclusions and small-group setting make it a compelling option for those seeking an authentic Zanzibar adventure.