Zanzibar: Prison Island/ Changuu Island

Is a small island about 30 min by boat from Stone Town.

The island was formerly owned by an Arab and saw use for confinement of refractory slaves and also functioned as a coral mine.

No prisoners were ever housed here instead the island became a quarantine station for yellow fever epidemics.

The island became a government-owned tourist resort and houses a collection of endangered Aldabra giant tortoise gifted by the British governor of the Seychelles In 1919.

There is a dedicated foundation on the island which looks after the tortoises' welfare.This tour includes a visit to the historic Prison Island with its giant land tortoise. The Aldabra Giant Tortoise sanctuary is a major tourist lure and the oldest tortoise is 192 years old. While on the island you will be able to observe and feed the tortoises, swim, sunbathe and snorkel.

Tour companies around Stone Town offers the tour to Prison Island including boat fee, entrance fee, and snorkel gear.