Prison Island Zanzibar– A Story of Tortoises, Coral Shores & Zanzibar’s Forgotten History
- Hawa Salum
- Nov 17
- 5 min read
Introduction ; Prison Island Zanzibar
Prison Island Zanzibar — also known as Changuu Island — is one of the most iconic excursions in the Zanzibar archipelago.
Just 20–30 minutes by boat from Stone Town, the island is a powerful blend of history, wildlife, and turquoise-lit tropical beauty. It is home to Zanzibar’s famous giant Aldabra tortoises, some more than 150 years old, moving slowly under palm trees with ancient, unhurried grace.
The coastline glows with bright blue water, coral reefs, and sandy pockets perfect for swimming. And scattered across the island are the haunting ruins of an old prison that never fully served its intended purpose.
Prison Island is an emotional place — beautiful on the outside, heavy on the inside, and deeply cinematic from every angle. It is a small island, but every corner holds a story: freedom, captivity, nature, longevity, coral landscapes, and the legacy of Zanzibar’s past. This is a place where travelers move between history and nature in a single afternoon.
5 Deep Subtopics for the Full Prison Island Experience
1. Prison Island Zanzibar A Past of Shadows – The History of Changuu Island
Prison Island carries a name that sparks curiosity — but its past is more complex than most visitors realize.
In the late 1800s, the island was first used to hold rebellious enslaved people who resisted Zanzibar’s slave traders.
Later, the British colonial government built a prison complex intended for regular offenders, but it was never used as such. Instead, the island became a quarantine station for ships entering Zanzibar, especially during outbreaks of yellow fever and cholera.
Walking through the old stone buildings — the abandoned courtyard, iron bars, holding rooms, and coral-stone walls — feels like stepping into a preserved echo of time. The structures remain intact. The atmosphere is still. History hangs in warm tropical air.
The contrast between the island’s beauty and its heavy past creates an emotional depth rarely found in such a small place.
2. The Giant Aldabra Tortoises – Ancient Souls of the Island
The highlight of Prison Island is the colony of giant Aldabra tortoises, a species native to the Seychelles and gifted to Zanzibar by the British governor of Seychelles in the late 1800s.
Today, the island hosts:
adults over 150 years old•
juveniles protected in a nursery•
medium-aged tortoises roaming under trees•
individuals weighing up to 250 kilograms
Their slow movements, thick shells, and calm expressions make them feel timeless — living relics that have witnessed generations pass.
Walking among them feels surreal. You move slowly. You step gently. You feel their presence, weight, age, and quiet dignity. Some stretch their necks toward visitors.
Some rest under shady branches. Others wander the open yard with deep, deliberate steps.
This is one of the most iconic wildlife encounters in Zanzibar.
3. Coral Beaches & Crystal-Clear Waters
Beyond the history and wildlife, Prison Island hides one of the most beautiful turquoise coastlines near Stone Town.
The beaches are narrow and bright white, wrapped around coral cliffs and rocky edges.
The water is warm, calm, and so clear that boats look like they’re floating on glass. Sunlight reflects in soft patterns across the sea floor.
The coastline is perfect for:
swimming•
sunbathing•
photography•
walking barefoot along sand pockets•
relaxing under palm shade
The west side of the island faces Stone Town, giving you a panoramic view of its skyline rising above the ocean — one of the most beautiful sights in Zanzibar.
4. Snorkeling Reefs – A Shallow Underwater World
Prison Island is surrounded by coral reefs that make for easy, accessible snorkeling. The water is shallow and calm, allowing even beginners to explore.
Expect to see:
colorful reef fish•
sea urchins•
coral patches•
starfish•
transparent small fish in groups•
occasional rays in deeper areas
The reef colors glow under sunlight, especially at midday when the water becomes brightest. If you drift gently along the reef edge, you will see underwater life moving in slow, peaceful harmony.
5. Island Atmosphere – Nature, Stillness & Ocean Light
Despite its heavy name, the actual atmosphere of Prison Island is incredibly peaceful. Palms sway quietly. Tortioses move slowly. The ocean sparkles in turquoise gradients. Boats come and go softly from the jetty. The old prison stands silent, wrapped in warm sun and coral stone.
Afternoons are the most beautiful — golden light falls across the ruins, the tortoises rest under shade, and the ocean becomes a soft mirror for the sky. If you climb to the viewpoint near the ruins, you will see the entire stretch of the western Zanzibar coastline glowing in the distance.
Prison Island holds contrasts — pain and beauty, history and nature, weight and calm. That’s what gives it depth and emotion.
5 Highlights
Historic ruins and quarantine buildings•
Giant Aldabra tortoises over 100 years old•
Coral beaches with turquoise water•
Snorkeling reefs full of marine life•
Panoramic views of Stone Town
5 Recommendations
Go early morning before crowds arrive•
Buy tortoise food at the gate for up-close interactions•
Combine Prison Island with Nakupenda Sandbank•
Bring reef-safe sunscreen and a hat•
Snorkel with a guide for best reef spots
5 Do’s for Prison Island
1. Do approach the giant tortoises gently
Move slowly, stay calm, and respect their space — they are ancient, sensitive creatures.
2. Do explore the old prison and quarantine ruins
Walk through the coral-stone corridors and learn the island’s deeper history.
3. Do snorkel around the reef areas
The water is clear and full of marine life — bring a mask or join a guided snorkel.
4. Do bring water, sunscreen, and a hat
The island can get very hot, especially midday, with limited shaded areas.
5. Do combine your visit with Nakupenda Sandbank
It’s the most popular and rewarding two-in-one day trip from Stone Town.
5 Don’ts for Prison Island
1. Don’t sit, climb, or stand on the tortoises
They are protected and extremely fragile despite their size.
2. Don’t touch coral or marine animals while snorkeling
The reef is delicate and easily damaged.
3. Don’t wander into restricted or unstable older buildings
Some ruins are fragile — follow marked paths and your guide’s instructions.
4. Don’t leave trash anywhere on the island
Prison Island is small — plastic and waste harm both land and marine life.
5. Don’t feed tortoises unless using the official food
Using anything else can make them sick — always buy approved food from the sanctuary.
5 Other Guides
Chumbe Island – Coral Sanctuary•
Nakupenda Sandbank – Vanishing Paradise•
Bawe Island – Pure Turquoise Escape•
Mnemba Island – Snorkeling Heaven•
Stone Town – History & Culture
Conclusion
Prison Island Zanzibar is a place of contrasts — natural beauty wrapped around a heavy history, ancient tortoises living beside colonial ruins, coral shores stretching under endless blue, and an atmosphere that balances silence with story.
It is a place where travelers meet wildlife older than nations, where ocean light transforms ruins into golden memories, and where the turquoise water brings peace to a place once designed for confinement.
Prison Island is not just an excursion —it is a journey into time,a meeting with ancient creatures,and a quiet escape into turquoise clarity.
It stays with you —in your memory,in your photos,and in the soft weight of its history.
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