TRA Licensed  |  Licence No. TRA1/22/C01/60582
Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank excursion in Zanzibar
PRISON ISLAND & NAKUPENDA · ZANZIBAR

Prison Island & Nakupenda Sandbank

Discover Prison Island’s giant tortoises before sailing to Nakupenda Sandbank for snorkelling, sunbathing, seasonal fruits and a seafood buffet lunch.

A full-day island and sandbank experience

Discover Prison Island & Nakupenda Sandbank, Zanzibar

Enjoy a full-day private excursion from Zanzibar to two memorable coastal attractions. Begin with a boat trip to Prison Island, a small island off Stone Town known for its historic prison complex and giant tortoise sanctuary. Continue to Nakupenda Sandbank, a beautiful stretch of white sand just off Stone Town, for time in the Indian Ocean.

Full-Day TripIsland and sandbank excursion
Available Year-RoundPrivate boat and transfers
Snorkelling & SunbathingExplore the sandbank and marine life
Island history and Indian Ocean scenery

About the Prison Island & Nakupenda Sandbank Tour

Take a boat from Stone Town to Prison Island, located approximately 6 kilometres offshore. The island was the site of a prison complex built in the late 19th century during British colonial rule, although the prison was never used. Today, the island is known for its tortoise sanctuary and coastal setting.

After exploring Prison Island and seeing its giant tortoises, continue by boat to Nakupenda Sandbank. The name Nakupenda means “I love you” in Swahili. This sandbank offers a beautiful setting for relaxing on the white sand, swimming and enjoying the surrounding Indian Ocean.

Enjoy snorkelling around the island and sandbank, where you can view colourful coral formations and tropical fish. The day also includes seasonal fruits and a seafood buffet lunch at the sandbank before the boat journey back to Stone Town.

Highlights of your island excursion

What You Will Experience

Giant Tortoise SanctuarySee the famous giant tortoises on Prison Island.
Prison Island HistoryDiscover the island’s historic prison site and its colonial-era background.
Nakupenda SandbankRelax on a white-sand sandbank just off Stone Town.
SnorkellingExplore the water and look out for colourful corals and tropical fish.
Seafood Buffet LunchEnjoy a seafood buffet lunch at the sandbank.
Seasonal Tropical FruitsRefresh with seasonal fruits, soft drinks and water.
Tour arrangements

Inclusions & Exclusions

Price Includes

  • Pick-up and drop-off by private transfer
  • Professional and friendly local tour guide
  • Government entrance and Menai fees
  • Private boat to Prison Island
  • Seafood buffet lunch at Nakupenda Sandbank
  • Snorkelling equipment
  • Seasonal fresh fruits, soft drinks, mineral water and refreshments

Price Excludes

  • Tips and portage
  • Any additional tours
  • Other personal items
Plan your Prison Island & Nakupenda visit

Enquire About This Tour

Send us your preferred date and accommodation details. Our team will check the arrangements and respond with a quotation. This is an enquiry, not an instant booking.

WhatsApp Us

Explore More Zanzibar Activities

Browse all 21 Zanzibar activities. This page is highlighted so you can identify the tour you are viewing.

Stone Town Historical Tour

Stone Town Historical Tour

Solo: USD 290
2 people PPS: USD 180
Spice Tour

Spice Tour

Solo: USD 260
2 people PPS: USD 130
Prison Island & Giant Tortoises

Prison Island & Giant Tortoises

Solo: USD 300
2 people PPS: USD 190
Jozani Forest

Jozani Forest

Solo: USD 220
2 people PPS: USD 160
Prison Island + Nakupenda Sandbank
You are here

Prison Island + Nakupenda Sandbank

Solo: USD 320
2 people PPS: USD 200
Mnemba Island

Mnemba Island

Solo: USD 320
2 people PPS: USD 200
Safari Blue

Safari Blue

Solo: USD 320
2 people PPS: USD 200
Blue Lagoon Snorkelling – Michamvi

Blue Lagoon Snorkelling – Michamvi

Solo: USD 240
2 people PPS: USD 130
Nungwi Turtles + Sunset Cruise

Nungwi Turtles + Sunset Cruise

Solo: USD 330
2 people PPS: USD 215
Jozani Forest + Spice Tour

Jozani Forest + Spice Tour

Solo: USD 230
2 people PPS: USD 170
Jozani Forest + Stone Town + Spice Tour

Jozani Forest + Stone Town + Spice Tour

Solo: USD 330
2 people PPS: USD 200
Mikumi National Park Day Trip from Zanzibar

Mikumi National Park Day Trip from Zanzibar

Solo: USD 910
2 people PPS: USD 750
Prison Island + Stone Town

Prison Island + Stone Town

Solo: USD 325
2 people PPS: USD 200
Prison Island + Stone Town + Spice Tour

Prison Island + Stone Town + Spice Tour

Solo: USD 380
2 people PPS: USD 220
Stone Town + Jozani Forest

Stone Town + Jozani Forest

Solo: USD 280
2 people PPS: USD 170
Stone Town + Spice Tour

Stone Town + Spice Tour

Solo: USD 300
2 people PPS: USD 190
Kizimkazi Sunset Cruise

Kizimkazi Sunset Cruise

Solo: USD 320
2 people PPS: USD 220
Maalum Cave

Maalum Cave

Solo: USD 130
2 people PPS: USD 120
Salaam Cave

Salaam Cave

Solo: USD 110
2 people PPS: USD 90
Kizimkazi Dolphins Tour

Kizimkazi Dolphins Tour

Solo: USD 270
2 people PPS: USD 180
Quad Bikes

Quad Bikes

Per rider: USD 190
Stone Town Historical Tour

Stone Town Historical Tour

Solo: USD 290
2 people PPS: USD 180
Spice Tour

Spice Tour

Solo: USD 260
2 people PPS: USD 130
Prison Island & Giant Tortoises

Prison Island & Giant Tortoises

Solo: USD 300
2 people PPS: USD 190
Jozani Forest

Jozani Forest

Solo: USD 220
2 people PPS: USD 160
Prison Island + Nakupenda Sandbank
You are here

Prison Island + Nakupenda Sandbank

Solo: USD 320
2 people PPS: USD 200
Mnemba Island

Mnemba Island

Solo: USD 320
2 people PPS: USD 200
Safari Blue

Safari Blue

Solo: USD 320
2 people PPS: USD 200
Blue Lagoon Snorkelling – Michamvi

Blue Lagoon Snorkelling – Michamvi

Solo: USD 240
2 people PPS: USD 130
Nungwi Turtles + Sunset Cruise

Nungwi Turtles + Sunset Cruise

Solo: USD 330
2 people PPS: USD 215
Jozani Forest + Spice Tour

Jozani Forest + Spice Tour

Solo: USD 230
2 people PPS: USD 170
Jozani Forest + Stone Town + Spice Tour

Jozani Forest + Stone Town + Spice Tour

Solo: USD 330
2 people PPS: USD 200
Mikumi National Park Day Trip from Zanzibar

Mikumi National Park Day Trip from Zanzibar

Solo: USD 910
2 people PPS: USD 750
Prison Island + Stone Town

Prison Island + Stone Town

Solo: USD 325
2 people PPS: USD 200
Prison Island + Stone Town + Spice Tour

Prison Island + Stone Town + Spice Tour

Solo: USD 380
2 people PPS: USD 220
Stone Town + Jozani Forest

Stone Town + Jozani Forest

Solo: USD 280
2 people PPS: USD 170
Stone Town + Spice Tour

Stone Town + Spice Tour

Solo: USD 300
2 people PPS: USD 190
Kizimkazi Sunset Cruise

Kizimkazi Sunset Cruise

Solo: USD 320
2 people PPS: USD 220
Maalum Cave

Maalum Cave

Solo: USD 130
2 people PPS: USD 120
Salaam Cave

Salaam Cave

Solo: USD 110
2 people PPS: USD 90
Kizimkazi Dolphins Tour

Kizimkazi Dolphins Tour

Solo: USD 270
2 people PPS: USD 180
Quad Bikes

Quad Bikes

Per rider: USD 190