Zanzibar Prison Island & Nakupenda Sandbank Tour Review

So, you’re thinking of heading to Zanzibar, are you? That little slice of paradise. If so, you may have come across the Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank tour. I recently took this tour myself, and, as a matter of fact, I thought I’d share my experience to give you a little better picture of what it’s like. The crystal-clear waters, the super bright sand, and the chill vibe of it all – Zanzibar has something truly amazing to offer. Very arguably, this tour combines a dash of history with a whole lot of relaxation, and it could be the perfect day trip for a bunch of different travellers. Here’s what you should expect.

A Quick Look at Prison Island’s History

Prison Island, otherwise known as Changuu Island, certainly has quite a past, almost, it wasn’t always meant to be a chill tourist destination. Back in the 1860s, the island, actually, was intended to be a prison, can you imagine? Not just for anyone, though, so I hear – it was basically purposed as a place to send rebellious slaves. Very Interestingly, the prison was never actually used for that purpose, by the way. Now, instead of inmates, there are giant tortoises! At the start of the 20th century, the British Governor of Seychelles sent four Aldabra giant tortoises to Zanzibar. So, that was the start of the island’s tortoise population. As I was saying, you’ll get the chance to see these gentle giants up close during your visit. We could say, they’re more famous residents than prisoners.

Setting Off: What the Beginning of the Tour is Like

Alright, first things first: the tour usually kicks off from Stone Town. You, literally, head to the harbor, where you jump aboard a local dhow boat. I mean, seriously, the boats are part of the charm. Anyway, the ride to Prison Island is relatively short, so it’s around 30 minutes or so, which gives you sufficient time to soak in the beautiful view of Stone Town receding into the horizon. The water, by the way, tends to be incredibly clear, you know, especially on a sunny day. While you’re on your way, it’s not too bad to chat with your fellow travelers or maybe get some info from the crew about what lies ahead.

Meeting the Tortoises: Prison Island Encounters

Okay, so, Prison Island, after arrival, obviously, the main draw is interacting with the giant tortoises. It’s almost unreal how massive these creatures are! Some of them, though, are literally over 100 years old, if you can imagine! Now, very typically, the sanctuary staff gives you a quick brief on how to, sort of, interact with them safely, that’s why you shouldn’t miss it. For example, you can actually feed them some leafy greens and get to, like, touch their shells. What you’ve gotta watch out for, by the way, is to not startle them! It’s a great photo op and truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Plus, you, naturally, get to learn a lot about their, let’s say, life cycle and conservation efforts.

Snorkeling Near Prison Island

In short, after hanging out with the tortoises, there is still something fun to look forward to: snorkeling! Right off the coast of Prison Island, you, like, jump into the water, and the boat crew generally provides the gear, masks, and fins. That’s really convenient. And the water there? Clearly it’s teeming with coral and colorful fish. I found that it wasn’t just an excellent opportunity for me to see underwater marine life, by the way, but to chill in the pretty refreshing water. Just a heads-up, as a matter of fact, the current can get strong sometimes, right?, so you want to stick relatively close to your boat. Basically, beginner or experienced, most should have a delightful experience.

Nakupenda Sandbank: A Slice of Paradise

Speaking of delightful experiences, after Prison Island, obviously, the tour swings by Nakupenda Sandbank. That name literally translates to “I love you” in Swahili, and, to be honest, you’ll definitely fall for it, actually, after you arrive. Now, Nakupenda is very literally a small strip of snow-white sand in the middle of the ocean. Just picture, like, crystal clear turquoise waters surrounding you… pretty cool, huh? It almost feels like something out of a dream. While on the sandbank, actually, the tour folks often set up umbrellas and beach mats so, just to point out, you can unwind comfortably. Also, the sand is incredibly soft. Almost, that’s ideal for sunbathing!

Lunch on the Sandbank

So, here’s something special! The tour actually also includes a lunch served right on the sandbank! They usually grill fresh seafood – think, like, grilled fish, prawns, and lobster – along with some tasty local sides such as rice, potatoes and fresh fruit. You know, all of it tastes just wonderful! Sitting there, you, literally, eat scrumptious seafood while surrounded by stunning views, seriously it’s hard to beat. As a matter of fact, vegetarian options may need a bit of advance arrangement. So you can contact the operator just to check that. But either way, trust me, the setting alone, just because, makes the meal extra memorable.

Things to Think About Before You go: Planning Tips

If you wanna get on the same tour. There are, actually, a few things to keep in mind so the experience goes smoothly. Clearly, it’s smart to book your tour in advance, especially, just to point out, during peak tourist season, just so you can guarantee you a spot, do you know? So, wear sunscreen, bring a hat and sunglasses; after all, there’s very limited shade, clearly, both on Prison Island and at Nakupenda. Basically, I’d recommend that you carry some cash as well because there may be opportunities to purchase souvenirs. Or perhaps you might wanna provide a tip to the super friendly crew members that are on the trip. Just to also point out, I recommend bringing a waterproof bag to secure your phone and camera equipment because, honestly, they may get a little wet, potentially.

Is the Prison Island & Nakupenda Sandbank Tour for You?

Therefore, the Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank shared day tour seems great to you if, just because, you wanna mix, perhaps, a bit of culture with, actually, some major relaxation. It, almost, suits solo travelers, couples, and even groups of friends. Now, if you actually prefer super long historical tours or intensely adventurous activities, probably this is, like, more of a chilled vibe, generally speaking. It also fits, maybe, you who just like to lay on a snow white sandbank to kick back, as a matter of fact. I, as a matter of fact, discovered it was the ideal intro to Zanzibar’s natural beauty and history all in one neat package.

A Day to Consider

And that’s the Zanzibar Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank shared day tour in a nutshell! It gives an incredible combination of chilling on pristine sands, seeing unique wildlife and enjoying great, super-local food. Hopefully, clearly, after this, you may go on your next great adventure? Perhaps that experience might encourage your next plan to explore a new hidden gem for yourself.