Zanzibar’s Prison Island & Nakupenda Sandbank Tour: An Honest Review

Dreaming of white sand beaches and crystal-clear water? That might just be Zanzibar calling! I wanted to talk about my recent trip where I hopped on the Zanzibar Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank tour. A lot of folks seem to pick this one, and very quickly I’m going to run you through exactly what you can expect and whether or not I think it’s genuinely worth your precious vacation time.

Getting to Prison Island: A Boat Ride with a Twist

First up is the trip over to Prison Island, which I thought, honestly, started out well. I took off from Stone Town, and I suppose that alone is a real adventure in itself. It’s like you are climbing into a traditional dhow boat. The views, I reckon, were absolutely something else! Picture this: the sun shimmering, glistening on the water, the wind in your hair, and Stone Town getting smaller and smaller in the background. That trip might take around half an hour, I think. So, do bring sunscreen; the sun is quite strong, that’s for sure. Also, perhaps take a bottle of water to keep you properly hydrated. The boat journey itself wasn’t too choppy when I went, even so, if you’re particularly sensitive to motion, you may want to grab some medication for seasickness before.

A Not-So-Scary History Lesson

Now, about Prison Island itself; it has a surprisingly dark past that really belies the beautiful scenery, if you ask me. It was basically intended as a prison for rebellious slaves. Although, it was never actually used for that purpose, it ended up becoming a quarantine station instead. You can still actually see some of the old buildings. That might give you a creepy little glimpse into what life was like back then. Now, the main attraction on Prison Island isn’t actually its history. It’s almost definitely the giant tortoises!

Meeting the Gentle Giants: Zanzibar’s Tortoises

These magnificent creatures are very old. It’s something to behold, that’s for sure. So, that you know, some of these tortoises are easily over 100 years old. The Aldabra giant tortoises were brought over from the Seychelles a while back. It’s just unbelievable to see them roaming around freely. You can touch them, scratch their necks, and even feed them; however, you do need to purchase the specific greens from the local vendors there, alright? As it turns out, this bit can feel a bit like a zoo experience, and the area can feel crowded. So, it could be, that I’d say to set your expectations accordingly.

Nakupenda Sandbank: Paradise Found?

Okay, next on the agenda is Nakupenda Sandbank; I reckon it translates to “I love you” in Swahili, which seems super romantic and spot on. Just imagine: a strip of pure white sand basically appearing in the middle of the ocean! Honestly, that sounds amazing, right? So, it might seem amazing in photos, the reality is very, very different. I had very mixed feelings about it, if you want to be frank.

The Good Bits: Picture-Perfect Scenery

There’s no denying, then, that Nakupenda is stunning. So, that you know, the water is unbelievably clear, almost turquoise. The sand is brilliantly white, and, also, there aren’t any buildings or anything around to spoil the natural landscape at all. It feels genuinely like you’ve stepped into a postcard! Walking along the sandbank makes one feel like I’m miles away from it all; so too, it feels quite peaceful and secluded. Now, bear in mind that the sandbank’s size will depend on the tide. If it’s high tide, it is possible that there won’t be much sand at all; also, you will just be standing in the water. I did take some amazing photos here. Those will look great on Instagram!

The Not-So-Good Bits: Crowds and “Seafood BBQ”

Alright, let’s talk about the stuff that I think isn’t shown in those perfect, airbrushed brochures. Basically, Nakupenda is, to some extent, really popular, which then, you see, leads to crowds. I felt as though I was fighting for space to actually put my towel down! Now, you must bear in mind that you may find yourself sharing your slice of paradise with loads of other tour groups. The biggest letdown for me, though, was the “seafood BBQ” that almost all of these tours offer. I had very high expectations, to be frank. So, it may well be that the reality was a bit underwhelming. The seafood itself tasted okay, yet, to be honest, it felt a bit mass-produced. I did get the feeling it was cooked in bulk ahead of time and wasn’t really anything that special at all.

What to Bring With You

Before you head out, I want to suggest a couple of must-haves; you may be so glad you read this! These items could make all the variance to your day.

• Sunscreen: Zanzibar sun really burns you, believe it or not. Very high SPF is absolutely essential, too.
• Hat and Sunglasses: These will protect you from the sun’s glare; and I’d say these are essential kit, so to speak.
• Towel: These are for drying off after swimming. Most tours don’t provide these, apparently, that’s not a shock.
• Water Shoes: Especially ideal for Nakupenda, where you may encounter some sharp shells and bits of coral. So, these are very good bits of kit.
• Cash: So, it seems there are things, such as drinks, snacks, or souvenirs, that are not included in the initial tour price. As a matter of fact, vendors don’t usually accept cards either.

Is the Zanzibar Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank Tour Worth It?

So, here we are: should you do it? So, too, I’d say it really depends on what you’re seeking out in a trip. In a way, if you fancy seeing giant tortoises and getting photos on a very nice-looking sandbank, then yeah, I suppose so, go for it. It could be that you are happy to compromise a bit and tolerate loads of other tourists in doing so. However, if, just say, you’re dreaming of a secluded, peaceful beach experience and fantastic seafood, you may want to explore the options that you see. It might be better to find a less famous beach or a more high-quality restaurant somewhere else on Zanzibar, perhaps.

For me, I am very glad that I went, actually, but with my eyes wide open! Knowing about the crowds and kind-of-okay BBQ ahead of time definitely did make the experience that bit better. So too, do keep in mind that Zanzibar has loads of other stuff to offer. So, why not see places like Jozani Forest or some spice farms.

Common Questions

Have a very awesome adventure!

So, there it is – my thoughts about the Zanzibar Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank tour, and you’ll be prepared either way! Bon voyage, and I hope that it shines for you, as well!

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