BARAKA AQUARIUM & SEA TURTLE TOUR

– Swim With Rescued Turtles

Nungwi – Save, Swim & Protect

My friend, you want to swim with sea turtles? Not in big ocean where you chase them, but face-to-face, in clear water, where you can really see them smile?

Karibu Baraka. This is my favorite tour for families.

Baraka Aquarium in Nungwi is not a zoo. It’s a rescue center. Fishermen accidentally catch turtles in nets, or find injured turtles on beach. They bring them to Baraka. We treat them, feed them, and when they are strong, we release them back to ocean. Your ticket helps buy fish and medicine for them.

My own cousin works there. He will tell you each turtle’s name and story.

FULL PROGRAM – YOUR 2-3 HOUR HEART-TOUCHING TOUR

We go daily: 9AM, 11AM, 2PM – Morning is best, turtles are hungry and active

9:00 AM – Pickup From Your Hotel
I pick you from Nungwi, Kendwa, Stone Town, Paje, anywhere. Drive to Baraka village, Nungwi – 10 min from Nungwi beach.

10:00 AM – Welcome & Story of Baraka
We arrive. You see big natural tidal pools, made from coral rocks, full of fresh sea water from ocean. No small tanks! Big lagoons.

The keeper welcomes you. He tells you story of Baraka – started in 2019 by local fishermen to save turtles. Now they have 40+ turtles, from baby to 100-year-old mama.

He shows you how they feed, how they heal injured flipper, how they protect eggs on beach. You learn difference between Green Turtle, Hawksbill.

10:20 AM – Swim With Turtles! – The Magic Moment
You change (changing room available), you go inside the pool – water up to chest, crystal clear.

And then they come – big, slow, beautiful. They swim to you! They let you touch their shell, feed them seaweed. They are so gentle, not scared. Kids can hold small ones. You can snorkel with them, take underwater photos – water is so clear.

Best part – you can kiss a turtle! Local belief says if you kiss turtle you will have long life like turtle! I tried – I’m still here!

We stay 45-60 minutes swimming – no rush. I take underwater photos for you with your phone in waterproof case – FREE.

11:15 AM – Feed Time & Conservation
We go to baby turtle pool – small turtles 1-6 months old. So cute! You feed them. Then we see turtle clinic – injured turtles getting treatment. The keeper shows you how you can adopt a turtle – $30 supports its food for 1 month and you get certificate with your name.

We also see big tortoises, fish, starfish.

11:45 AM – Local Lunch & Return
You can buy fresh coconut, or we drive 5 min to Kendwa beach for lunch at my favorite local restaurant. Then back to hotel.

BESTSELLER COMBO – Most Guests Do This:

BARAKA TURTLES + NUNGWI BEACH + SUNSET DHOW – Full Day North
9AM Baraka Turtles → 11AM Nungwi/Kendwa Beach relaxing → 4:30PM Sunset Dhow Cruise
From $60 per person – kids love full day!

BARAKA + MNEMBA SNORKELING – Turtles & Dolphins
9AM Mnemba Island snorkeling & dolphins → 11:30AM Baraka Turtles
From $70 – swim with wild dolphins in morning, rescued turtles later.

BARAKA + SPICE FARM + STONE TOWN – Culture Day
For guests in Nungwi who want history too.

WHAT IS INCLUDED?
✅ Hotel Pickup & Drop (extra fuel for far hotels – ask me)
✅ All Entrance Fees to Baraka Aquarium ($15 adult / $10 child)
✅ Professional Local Guide + Aquarium Keeper
✅ Swimming with Turtles – pool entry included
✅ Seaweed for feeding turtles
✅ Fresh water & changing rooms
✅ My underwater photos help

NOT Included: Lunch, towels (bring yours), tips for keepers

DETAILS YOU ALWAYS ASK ME:

• Duration: 1.5 hours in aquarium, 3 hours total with transport
• Is it safe? 100% safe – pools are calm, shallow, no waves. Life jackets for kids. Turtles are very gentle, they don’t bite.
• Is it ethical? Yes – this is rescue, not capture. Government approves. Turtles are rescued from fishermen nets, healed, many released every year. Your money = fish food + medicine. We only support ethical places – no small tanks.
• Can I really swim with them? Yes! You go inside lagoon with them, not just look from outside. You touch, feed, snorkel.
• Water deep? Chest level for adults, waist for kids – safe for non-swimmers.
• What to bring? Swimsuit under clothes, towel, sunscreen, waterproof phone case, cash for adoption.
• Best time? 9-11AM – turtles active, less people, sun not too hot.
• Can I get sick? No, water is fresh ocean water changed every tide – very clean.

PRICE:

• Baraka Turtles Only: From $30 per person from Nungwi/Kendwa (incl. fees)
• From Stone Town / Paje / Jambiani: From $40 per person (transport longer)
• Baraka + Nungwi Beach Day: From $45
• Baraka + Mnemba Snorkeling Combo: From $70
• Private Tour: +$15 for private car & guide
• Kids: Under 5 FREE, 5-11 years $20

Group 4+ = $25 each from Nungwi