Prison Island tour

After breakfast, we drive to Zanzibar Stone Town to catch our boat to Prison Island for this half-day tour. The island lies just off the Old Stone Town, it is also a home to giant land tortoises that were imported from Seychelles in the late 19th century and are now under strict conservation. Now it is more commonly known as the home of Zanzibar’s Giant Aldabran Tortoise colony, some of which are over a hundred years old. Once on the island, you have the opportunity to feed and pet the tortoises; if you have time, you may also like to take a stroll through the forested interior where you will see a wide variety of birds, colorful peacocks.

The Island was once used by an Arab slave trader to contain the more troublesome slaves he had brought from the African mainland to prevent their escape before shipping them to the Arabian Purchasers or auctioning them in the Zanzibarian slave trade market.

In 1893, Lloyd Mathews built the prison. The prison’s idea was to send violent criminals from the Tanganyika (Now Tanzania together with Zanzibar) mainland to Prison Island. The Prison Island ended up being used as a quarantine center, instead of a prison, for yellow fever epidemics that once raged through the region. Prison Island remained in the ownership of the government which converted the newer quarantine buildings into a guest house.

The island offers a stunning view of Stone Town, especially during the night; and has a lovely white sandy beach for sunbathing and swimming in the crystal waters will make you feel amazing and relaxed. The beautiful coral reefs surrounding the island are ideal for snorkeling and provide a great opportunity to see underwater marine life and coral reefs.
It is by no means the most extensive or varied snorkeling spot off the coast of Zanzibar but being so close to Stone Town and so easily accessible makes it ideal for those who want to see ‘under the sea’ a little while they are on a city break.

The island’s restaurant, Matthews, is good and well-renowned. This is especially so considering the restaurant’s charming atmosphere and good sea view.

It is a relaxing excursion that takes half-day on the beautiful island of Zanzibar Town. The use of the island has changed over time. Although it was initially built as a prison it was never put into that function. Later it was used as a quarantine of slaves for the whole of East Africa.
The remnants of the building are still visible. The island offers a stunning view of the Town, especially during the night; there is several stunning minor sandy beach where swimming in the crystal waters is marvellous. The coral reefs surrounding the island provide an opportunity for snorkelling. This is also a home of the giant tortoise, which is now under strict conservation. A short-guided tour around the island will provide the real picture.