Prison Island Tour

The prison that was never used on this island was built in 1893 but was later used as a quarantine hospital. In addition to the prison ruins, you'll also see the enormous giant tortoises that 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 native and are majestic creatures, averaging around 200kg with some more than 100 years old (four have reached ages of up to 150 years). For a small charge payable on the island, visitors may feed these gentle giants - just be careful when they snap their jaws shut! Marine life here is quite diverse too; there is excellent snorkelling available at Changuu Beach. While perhaps not the most comprehensive site along the Tanzanian coastline, its proximity to Stone Town and ease of access make it perfect for anyone wanting to explore 'life beneath the waves', even if only briefly during a stopover en route to another destination.