Take a short dhow crossing to Changuu (Prison Island) to walk among a colony of 200-year-old Aldabra giant tortoises, then snorkel the coral gardens that ring the island's white-sand shore — all within an hour of the Stone Town waterfront.
What to expect
The 20-minute dhow crossing from the Stone Town waterfront is itself a postcard moment, with the whitewashed old town receding behind you. On Changuu, free-roaming Aldabra tortoises — some over 200 years old — approach without hesitation, and feeding them is an extraordinary tactile encounter. The island's former colonial quarantine buildings add a layer of layered history to explore. Afterward, slip into the gin-clear water off the beach for snorkelling over surprisingly healthy hard coral.
Good to know
Easily combined with a Stone Town walking tour as a half-day itinerary. Island entry fee (approx. USD 4) is sometimes separate — confirm when booking. Morning departures before 10:00 are recommended to beat day-trippers. Bring water shoes; the coral shoreline is uneven.
Sail there
Luxury cruises that call at Zanzibar — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.