Prison Island Tours

Photo by Marcelo Lopes
Photo by Valerie Stern
Photo by Valerie Stern


If your idea of a great vacation means being near the water, make tracks to Prison Island. No matter what you choose to do here, you're unlikely to tire of those pretty views.

After visiting Prison Island, a water-surrounded land mass in Changuu Island, you might be after more things to do. Shangani Beach is nearby and is a favorite with many travelers.

Plan a trip to see Prison Island

Price found within the past 48 hours. Click for updated prices.
Ycona Luxury Resort
Bawe Island Zanzibar
Baraza Resort & Spa Zanzibar

Browse tours and tickets to explore Prison Island

Tours & day trips

See all 577 activities

Private & custom tours

See all 326 activities

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 116 activities

Shopping & fashion

See all 34 activities

Weddings & honeymoons

See all 8 activities

Reviews of Prison Island

4.5
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
53
5 - Excellent 56%
4 - Good
39
4 - Good 41%
3 - Okay
3
3 - Okay 3%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Beautiful place

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

A twenty-minute boat ride from Shangani beach you can take a private boat for $20 or hire a guide and boat for $60--it's all negotiable. The giant tortoises are amazing! They are building a restaurant, the bar is finished but I', not certain that they are serving yet. You can swim on the beach if you want--nice 2-hour diversion.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

There are all levels of Prison Island tours available from private boat & guide ($60) to hiring a Capitan right on the beach ($20). The giant tortoises are amazing and you may be able to spot other wildlife--I was lucky enough to spot a dik-dik and an elephant shrew. They are working on a Restaurant in the former prison building--the bar is finished and open. Go early before the throngs arrive.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

The turtles are the main attraction, the oldest being nearly 200 years old. The views on the boat ride are outstanding!

5/5 - Excellent

Simon

A highlight of my trip was going to Prison island. It's only a 5-10 min boatride but I got to feed a 196-year old tortoise and then to snorkel across an amazing reef.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Very near from the stonetown, so plan both area together.

Popular places to visit


Best Lodging Options Near Prison Island

Tembo House Hotel

Tembo House Hotel

4 out of 5
Forodhani Street Zanzibar Town
Tembo House Hotel
Park Hyatt Zanzibar

Park Hyatt Zanzibar

5 out of 5
Shangani Street Zanzibar Town
Park Hyatt Zanzibar
Maru Maru Hotel

Maru Maru Hotel

3 out of 5
Gizenga Street, Shangani Zanzibar Town Zanzibar
Maru Maru Hotel
Golden Tulip Zanzibar Resort

Golden Tulip Zanzibar Resort

3.5 out of 5
Beit Al Ras, Kibweni Street Zanzibar Town
Golden Tulip Zanzibar Resort
Zanzibar Serena Hotel

Zanzibar Serena Hotel

5 out of 5
Kelele Square Zanzibar Town
Zanzibar Serena Hotel
Hotel Verde Zanzibar - Azam Luxury Resort & Spa

Hotel Verde Zanzibar - Azam Luxury Resort & Spa

4.5 out of 5
Malawi Road Zanzibar Town Mjini Magharibi
Hotel Verde Zanzibar - Azam Luxury Resort & Spa
Bawe Island Zanzibar

Bawe Island Zanzibar

5 out of 5
Bawe Island, Mjini District Bawe Island Mjini Magharibi Region
Bawe Island Zanzibar
Madinat Al Bahr Business & Spa Hotel

Madinat Al Bahr Business & Spa Hotel

5 out of 5
Mbweni Street Zanzibar Town Zanzibar
Madinat Al Bahr Business & Spa Hotel
Zanzi Resort

Zanzi Resort

5 out of 5
Kama Kama
Zanzi Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Black Friday Sale

Limited-time deals: Save up to 50% on select hotels.

Explore a world of travel with Expedia