Prison Island Tour

The prison which was never used on this island was built in 1893 but was later used as a Quarantine Hospital. Apart from the Prison ruins you will also see the enormous giant tortoises which are the main attraction of the island. The tortoises were brought to the island from Seychelles by Sultan Said Majid in the 1820s. They are not indigenous and are magisterial creatures, weighing in at an average of 200 kg some are as old as over 100 years (4 turtles are 150 years). You can feed them at a fee paid at the Island, but watch out for their snapping beaks. Other marine life is also reasonably rich and Changuu provides good snorkelling. 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 on a city break.