Zanzibar’s Prison Island Tour: A Candid Review & Guide

So, you’re thinking about a visit to Prison Island in Zanzibar? That is something worth considering, then. A half-day trip might just be enough to see the highlights. Yet, it is very, very popular for a reason: it has some cool history and you get to meet some rather old, shelled buddies, the giant tortoises. This review shares the essentials, so you know what you are going for, basically. Like, what’s great, what to look out for, and whether it’s really worth your time when you’re chilling in Zanzibar.

A Quick Hop to a Unique Destination

Getting to Prison Island, it’s actually also known as Changuu Island by the way, is just a quick boat ride from Stone Town. That is just what most tours include anyway. Usually it takes about 20-30 minutes on the water. The boats can vary, very, very much. Some are the dhow type sailboats you might have spotted on postcards; others are, well, pretty basic motorboats. You know, expect a little splash – it adds to the fun! Make sure that the boat seems okay, as a matter of fact, safety first.

The boat trip, it’s also an experience. So, you get a chance to see Stone Town from the sea, so that’s kinda cool. That sparkling Indian Ocean around you is also beautiful. Sometimes you might just see some dolphins, very, very rarely, they can be very shy those guys, too it’s almost always fun spotting the local fishermen doing their thing. That might just make for some nice photos.

Tortoise Territory: Meeting the Gentle Giants

The big stars, literally, of Prison Island are definitely the giant tortoises. As I was saying, they came all the way from the Seychelles, way back when. Yet, the interesting bit is, some are easily over a hundred years old, actually. The size of these creatures is like woah, as a matter of fact, some are like living rocks! There’s this very special area dedicated to them where you can see, feed, and maybe just even touch the tortoises, right.

Be aware, so the enclosure can get a bit crowded, as a matter of fact, that depends on when your boat arrives, very busy those boat trips. The guides, too it’s almost give you some info about the tortoises, but so some visitors do get too enthusiastic, you know. They want to get the perfect selfie. It’s really important to listen to your guide and to respect the animals. That means gentle touches, no forcing food on them. Just chill, very good to chill with the tortoises, you know.

The Prison’s Past: A Look into History

Okay, so Prison Island actually got its name because it was kinda supposed to be a prison, that’s what they planned. Though, weirdly, it never really served as one. A British dude bought the island in 1893, you know. He had this grand idea of building a jail, yet that didn’t happen, very, very crazy.

Later, it ended up being used as a quarantine station, yet to isolate people with diseases. Still, that old building remains. So, when you go you will get a feel for the island’s interesting history, that much is true. The buildings could use some love, that is, a restoration wouldn’t go amiss, but yet that history is certainly there. Your guide will usually share details, of course, maybe just ask questions! You could hear something cool.

Snorkeling and Chilling by the Sea

The snorkeling around Prison Island can be a cool perk, actually. The waters around are very clear, apparently. They host heaps of marine life, basically. If the tour includes this, and often, if it does you’ll get some time to jump in. You can spot cool tropical fish and corals. Most operators, like your tour guys, do provide the gear – like, mask, snorkel, fins and the rest. Make sure everything seems clean before using it though!

Even if you aren’t into snorkeling, right, so the beaches around the island are still pretty awesome. White sand, you know, perfect for chilling. You can dip in the water, or just chill, you can even do a little sunbathing. Just relax a little! That is a thought to hold dear for a person like you, or like myself even, and not be bothered, you know, very very bothered.

What to Pack for Prison Island

Going to Prison Island, that is something you can plan a bit, right. Very crucial, to take some sunscreen – the Zanzibar sun can be very harsh, you see. That’s especially if you are not ready, like myself. You can bring a hat, and definitely shades, yeah. If you are hopping in the water, you can wear a swimsuit or a pair of swim shorts. Do pack a towel too for sure! You would like to dry out that dripping wet wetness.

Bringing some water is a brilliant plan, by the way. It might just get hot, especially walking around. If you feel like the island might not sell exactly what you need, think like medication, snacks, whatever. You should bring that too. Cash is the way to go. If you wanna buy something from one of the locals or maybe even tip your guide, just in case, that’s handy. That can come up and when it does that may just save the day for you and yours.