PRISON ISLAND TOUR

– Meet The 200-Year-Old Giants

Changuu Island – Tortoises, Prison & Paradise Beach

Habari! You want to meet an animal that was born before your great-grandfather? Karibu.

Prison Island is my second home. I go there every week. It’s 30 minutes by boat from Stone Town, and it feels like a different world. No cars, just giant tortoises walking slowly, peacocks, and a beach so clear you can see fish from the boat.

Let me tell you the real story – not what Google says.

FULL PROGRAM – YOUR 3-4 HOUR TRIP

We have boats every hour from 9AM to 3PM

9:00 AM – We Meet at Stone Town Beach & Boat Ride
I will meet you at Forodhani or Old Fort jetty. We take a local wooden boat – not big ferry, small private boat. The ride is beautiful. 20-30 minutes. On the way you see Stone Town from the sea, you see fishermen, you see Prison Island coming closer. If you are lucky, dolphins jump near our boat. I always bring bread for the birds.

9:30 AM – Arrival & The Prison History
First thing you see is the old prison building from 1893. I will tell you a secret – it was never used as a prison! British built it to lock slaves, but then they built it as a quarantine hospital for yellow fever. People with disease were left here to die alone. Sad, but that’s history. Now it’s a small museum. We go inside, I show you where they slept.

10:00 AM – The Giant Tortoises – My Favorite Part
Now the magic. We walk to the tortoise sanctuary.

My friend, these are not small turtles. These are Aldabra Giant Tortoises from Seychelles – 200kg, 1 meter long, 194 years old! The oldest one here is 194 years old. Born in 1832! He has seen 4 Sultans, British, revolution, everything.

You can feed them, touch them, sit with them. They love cabbage. They are so slow, so peaceful. The small babies are so cute – 1 year old, size of your hand. My kids love them.

I will tell you how they came here – British Governor gave 4 tortoises as a gift in 1919. Now we have 200+.

You can take amazing photos – they will even eat from your mouth if you are brave! (I will take the photos for you).

11:00 AM – Snorkeling & Beach Time – Hakuna Matata
After tortoises, the island is yours. The beach is white, water is crystal clear. I give you snorkeling gear – FREE. You just jump from the beach and see colorful fish, starfish, sometimes small baby sharks (safe).

You can also walk around the island – 15 minutes only, you see peacocks, dik-diks (small antelopes), and old ruins.

You want to relax? There is a small restaurant – you can buy fresh lobster, cold beer, or just coconut.

12:00 PM – Boat Back to Stone Town
We take boat back slowly. We arrive around 12:30 PM. Perfect time for lunch at Forodhani.

COMBO PROGRAM – MOST GUESTS BOOK THIS (BESTSELLER)

STONE TOWN WALKING + PRISON ISLAND – FULL DAY

9AM – 12PM: Stone Town Walking Tour with me
12PM – 12:30PM: Lunch break (I show you best local lunch $5)
12:30PM – 3:30PM: Prison Island with tortoises & snorkeling
This is full day, no rush, everything included. From $55 per person.

WHAT IS INCLUDED?

• Return boat – private boat, not crowded
• All entrance fees to Prison Island ($8)
• Professional local guide – me or my brother
• Snorkeling gear & life jackets
• Tortoise feeding food
• Bottled water
• Pickup in Stone Town FREE (Outside Stone Town we add small transport)

NOT INCLUDED: Lunch, tips

DETAILS MY FRIEND NEEDS TO KNOW:

• Duration: 3 hours (Half Day) or 6 hours with Stone Town
• Departure: Every day, every hour 9AM-3PM
• Best time: Morning 9AM – tortoises are hungry and active, beach is empty
• Bring: Swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, camera, cash for drinks
• Is it safe for kids? YES! My own daughter is 3, she loves it. Tortoises are very gentle.
• Is snorkeling safe? Yes, shallow, no waves. Non-swimmers can swim near beach.
• How old are tortoises? Oldest is 194 years! Most are 100+ years.
• Can I take tortoise home? Haha, no – they are protected! But you can adopt one ($50 per year supports food).

PRICE:

• Prison Island Only: From $30 per person (boat + fees + guide)
• Stone Town + Prison Island Combo: From $55 per person – BEST DEAL
• Private Boat: +$10 per person for private boat only you
• Kids under 6: FREE

Group discounts: 4+ people = $25 each