Day Trips
Prison Island & Giant Tortoise Sanctuary Boat Trip
Changuu, universally called Prison Island, lies about 20 to 30 minutes by boat from Stone Town. Its name is slightly misleading. A prison was built here in the 1890s but never used as one; the buildings were instead converted into a quarantine station for yellow fever cases, and the ruins of that complex are what visitors see today.
The main attraction is the tortoise sanctuary. The Aldabra giant tortoises were a gift from the British governor of the Seychelles in 1919, and the colony now numbers well over a hundred. The oldest individuals are believed to be around 190 years old, with their approximate birth years marked on their shells. Feeding them spinach is permitted and unavoidable if you have children with you.
The island also has a small beach with a shallow reef immediately offshore, which suits easy snorkelling in calm water. Coral condition is moderate rather than exceptional, but reef fish are plentiful and it is a good introduction for inexperienced snorkellers.
The whole excursion takes about half a day and is one of the most reliably enjoyable outings on the island for families.
Planning your trip
Practical planning. This is a single day programme, so the whole experience depends on an early start and on weather conditions holding through the middle of the day. We quote fees at the tariff period current at the time of booking, since park, conservation and crater charges are revised periodically and are a significant share of the total cost. Yellow fever certification is required if you are arriving from or transiting a country with risk of transmission, and travel insurance covering medical evacuation is a condition of travel on all our programmes.
Season. June to October is the classic dry season, when vegetation thins, water sources concentrate wildlife and roads are at their most reliable. December to March brings green landscapes, calving on the southern plains and lower rates. April and May are the long rains, when some tracks become difficult and a number of seasonal camps close.
In the parks. Stay in the vehicle unless your guide confirms a stop is authorised, keep noise low near wildlife, never feed animals and take all rubbish out with you. Off-road driving, drones and unsupervised walking are prohibited or restricted across the national parks and conservation areas. These rules exist because visitor pressure is the main long-term threat to the places you have come to see.
Where this trip goes
Read the full destination guides for every protected area covered by this itinerary before you travel. Each one sets out habitat, seasonality, access and the managing authority in detail.
Compare similar packages
If the length, pace or budget of this itinerary is not quite right, these alternatives cover comparable ground:
- Half-Day Stone Town Historical Walking Tour
- Half-Day Spice Farm & Herbal Tasting Tour
- 12-Day Bush to Beach Safari (Northern Circuit + Zanzibar)
- 3-Day Zanzibar Beach & Historic Stone Town Getaway
You can also browse the full package catalogue or the destination directory to build a custom itinerary with us.
Highlights
- Aldabra giant tortoise colony with individuals around 190 years old
- Ruins of the nineteenth century quarantine station
- Short 20 to 30 minute boat crossing from Stone Town
- Shallow reef snorkelling suitable for beginners
- Small beach and a coral rag forest walk
Trip itinerary
Day 1: Boat trip to Changuu Island
Meet at the Stone Town seafront for the boat crossing, roughly 20 to 30 minutes depending on sea conditions.
On the island a local guide takes you through the tortoise sanctuary, where the Aldabra colony can be fed and photographed, and on to the ruins of the quarantine station and the coral rag forest.
Free time follows at the small beach for swimming and snorkelling on the shallow reef just offshore, before the return crossing in the afternoon.
Included
- Return boat transfer from Stone Town seafront
- Changuu Island entry and tortoise sanctuary fee
- Local guide on the island
- Snorkelling equipment
- Bottled drinking water
Excluded
- Road transfers from north or east coast hotels
- Lunch and drinks
- Tips for the boat crew and guide
- Travel insurance
Accommodation
A half day excursion with no accommodation included. Boats depart from the Stone Town seafront, so guests on the north or east coast should allow 60 to 90 minutes of road transfer each way.
The trip pairs naturally with a Stone Town walking tour, giving a full day in and around the town for guests staying on the coast.
FAQs
Was it actually a prison?
Not in practice. The prison was built in the 1890s but never used for prisoners. The complex served as a yellow fever quarantine station instead, and those are the ruins you walk through today.
How old are the tortoises really?
The oldest are believed to be around 190 years, with estimated birth years painted on their shells. The colony descends from a gift of four tortoises from the Seychelles in 1919 and now numbers well over a hundred.
Can I touch and feed the tortoises?
Yes, feeding spinach and gentle contact are permitted and supervised by sanctuary staff. Follow their instructions and do not sit on or climb over the animals, which unfortunately does need saying.
Is the snorkelling any good?
Modest but pleasant. Shallow, calm and full of reef fish, which makes it ideal for beginners and children. Serious snorkellers should book the Mnemba Atoll excursion instead, where the reef is in far better condition.
Will I see the big five on this trip?
Lion, elephant, buffalo and leopard are all realistically possible on the northern circuit, and rhino are seen in the Ngorongoro Crater with reasonable frequency though usually at distance. No operator can guarantee sightings of wild animals and we will not pretend otherwise.
Is a private vehicle included?
Road-based itineraries use a private 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, exclusively for your party, with a guaranteed window seat. Fly-in itineraries use camp-based vehicles shared with a small number of other guests, and a private vehicle can be added at extra cost.
What should I pack for a safari?
Neutral coloured layers, a warm fleece for early morning game drives, sun protection, binoculars and a camera with more storage than you expect to need. Soft-sided bags are required on any itinerary involving light aircraft, where the limit is typically 15 kilograms.
How much should I budget for tips?
Guidance rather than obligation: around 20 to 30 US dollars per vehicle per day for the driver-guide, and 5 to 10 dollars per guest per day for camp staff, pooled. We will give you a specific breakdown for your itinerary before departure.
How far in advance should I book Prison Island & Giant Tortoise Sanctuary Boat Trip?
For peak months, meaning July to October and the Christmas and New Year period, six to twelve months ahead. Camps and mountain permits in those windows genuinely sell out. For green season travel, two to three months is usually sufficient.
Can this itinerary be customised?
Yes. Every itinerary we publish is a starting point. Days can be added or removed, accommodation tiers changed, internal flights substituted for road transfers, and extensions to Zanzibar or the southern parks attached. Tell us the constraint and we will build around it.