Prison Island

This is a half day tour on motorized boat departing from Stone Town waterfront

Also known as Changuu, the island was originally used by Arab rulers as a detention centre for disobedient slaves.  In 1893, a prison was built here but instead it was used as a quarantine station for the whole of East Africa. It is endowed with natural attractive features observed while on a guided walks around the island. Apart from the ruins of the old prison, there is a large population of protected giant tortoises, brought from the Seychelles in the 18th century.  The island has a restaurant and small coral reef for snorkeling and is popular with day trippers from a number of Stone Town Hotels