Prison Island & Nakupenda Sandbank Escape
A full-day boat adventure combining Prison Island's giant tortoises with a barefoot seafood lunch on the pure white sands of Nakupenda Sandbank.
Tortoises Meet Turquoise Sand
This full-day boat excursion pairs Zanzibar's two most photogenic offshore experiences: Prison Island, home to a famous colony of giant Aldabra tortoises and a shallow snorkelling reef, and Nakupenda Sandbank, a sliver of pure white sand that appears in the turquoise shallows south of Stone Town at low tide.
The day combines wildlife, snorkelling and one of Zanzibar's signature barefoot beach lunches, freshly grilled seafood served on the sand itself, making it one of the most complete and visually spectacular single days available on the island.
Two Islands, One Unforgettable Day
Prison Island (Changuu) sits in Zanzibar's harbour and is best known for its giant Aldabra tortoises, gifted from Seychelles in 1919, alongside the ruins of a 19th-century quarantine station and a shallow reef ideal for beginner snorkellers. Nakupenda Sandbank, whose name means 'I love you' in Swahili, lies a short boat ride further south and is a tidal sandbar that only fully emerges at low tide, disappearing again as the water rises.
Because Nakupenda is tide-dependent, departure times shift daily around the tide tables, and your Haven Trails guide manages timing so you experience both islands at their best: the tortoises and reef mid-morning, then a long, relaxed sandbank lunch and swim as the tide allows.
Your Day-Trip Experience
Guests are collected from their Zanzibar accommodation and taken to the jetty for the boat crossing to Changuu, commonly known as Prison Island. With a local guide, the group visits the giant Aldabra tortoise sanctuary, learning about the animals and following staff instructions for any permitted feeding, then explores the island's historical and coastal setting; snorkelling is possible only where sea conditions, equipment and the selected package allow. The boat continues toward Nakupenda Sandbank on a route timed to the tide rather than a rigid public schedule. At the sandbank, guests can swim, snorkel, relax on the white sand and take photographs while the crew prepares the seafood barbecue lunch included in the tour. Wildlife and water visibility vary naturally, so no marine sighting is promised, and the guide keeps activities within current conservation and safety rules. As the tide changes, the crew packs the site carefully and allows time for a final view of the open ocean before boarding. The return journey crosses back toward Stone Town, where a waiting transfer takes guests to their accommodation and completes the combined island-and-sandbank experience.
Included & Excluded
- Licensed local guide and boat crew
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Prison Island entrance and tortoise sanctuary fee
- Boat transfers throughout
- Snorkelling equipment
- Fresh seafood BBQ lunch on Nakupenda Sandbank
- 24/7 Haven Trails ground support
- Alcoholic and bottled beverages beyond initial supply
- Gratuities for your guide and boat crew
- Personal items and souvenirs
- Underwater camera rental
Why Haven Trails Adventures
Based in Moshi, Tanzania, not a booking platform abroad. Our Zanzibar partners are deeply embedded in the island's hospitality and activity networks, with real-time knowledge of the best guides, boats and conditions throughout the year.
Every guide and boat operator working with Haven Trails is licensed by the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism and personally vetted for safety, professionalism and knowledge of the island's history, culture and marine environment.
Choose a small shared group departure or book the tour privately for your party alone. Either way, you get an unhurried, personal experience rather than being herded through a crowded, oversized tour bus itinerary.
A Haven Trails ground team is reachable throughout your Zanzibar stay for any change, question or unexpected situation. You are never navigating the island alone from pickup to drop-off.
Haven Trails prioritises locally-owned operators, community guides and marine conservation partners. A portion of every booking supports coral reef protection and community tourism initiatives on the island.
No hidden extras, no last-minute upsells at the dock. What you see at booking is what you pay, with clear notes on anything genuinely excluded, such as the Zanzibar marine park conservation fee.