Sight guide · Zanzibar · Tanzania
Visiting Prison Island (Changuu)
About 30 minutes by boat from Stone Town, Changuu Island was planned as a prison and later used as a quarantine station; today it is home to a colony of Aldabra giant tortoises, some of them very old, plus a small beach and snorkelling reef.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Mangapwani, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Prison Island (Changuu) is an island in Off Stone Town, Zanzibar. Allow half a day; it is mid-priced. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Island
- Area
- Off Stone Town
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- kids, nature, history and outdoors
- Best months
- June–August
About Prison Island (Changuu)
About 30 minutes by boat from Stone Town, Changuu Island was planned as a prison and later used as a quarantine station; today it is home to a colony of Aldabra giant tortoises, some of them very old, plus a small beach and snorkelling reef.
Tip: Combine it with the Nakupenda sandbank on a half-day boat trip from the Stone Town waterfront.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: Half a day.
- Cost: Mid-priced.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Off Stone Town.
Best time to visit Prison Island (Changuu)
Prison Island (Changuu) is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- June: 28°C (82°F) highs, about 5 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- July: 28°C (82°F) highs, about 5 rainy days, very busy crowds.
- August: 28°C (82°F) highs, about 5 rainy days, very busy crowds.
When to visit Zanzibar has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Zanzibar itinerary visits Prison Island (Changuu) on day 3, together with Darajani Market, Nakupenda sandbank and Stone Town.
- No. 7 of the 17 sights in our Zanzibar things-to-do list.
- Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 3 of the 5-day plan.
- One of the picks in outdoors in Zanzibar.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Zanzibar.
- A family favourite in Zanzibar with kids.
Near Prison Island (Changuu)
Also in Off Stone Town, so you can walk between them:
- Nakupenda sandbank — half a day, mid-priced
If you like Prison Island (Changuu)
- Spice farm tour — Central Unguja, Half a day
- Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park — Central Unguja, 2 hours
- Mnemba Atoll snorkelling — Matemwe, Half a day
- Kizimkazi — Southern Unguja, Half a day
Staying near Prison Island (Changuu)
Where to stay in Zanzibar compares every area by price and who it suits.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Prison Island (Changuu)?
Plan half a day. With Nakupenda sandbank nearby, it fits a half-day in Off Stone Town.
+Is Prison Island (Changuu) free?
No, it is mid-priced. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Prison Island (Changuu)?
June–August for the most comfortable weather. Combine it with the Nakupenda sandbank on a half-day boat trip from the Stone Town waterfront.
+Do I need to book Prison Island (Changuu) in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Prison Island (Changuu) good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Zanzibar. Zanzibar works well for families: tortoises on Prison Island, monkeys in Jozani Forest, turtles at Nungwi and calm beaches at Kendwa.