Sandbank Picnic Prison Island Zanzibar Dhow Sailing Tour

The Sandbank Picnic and Prison Island Dhow Sailing Tour is a full-day excursion from Stone Town, Zanzibar, that combines wildlife, history, and beach relaxation. 

Itinerary & Activities

The tours follow a structured 8-hour schedule starting around 0900 Hours and returning by 0430 Hours. Dhow Sailing: You depart from the Stone Town shore in a traditional handcrafted Swahili wooden dhow

0830 Hours – 0900 Hours: Hotel Pickup & Meeting: Pick up from the hotel/residence in Stone Town and transfer to the meeting point near Forodhani Gardens.
0930 Hours: Dhow Departure: Board a traditional wooden dhow for a 30-minute sail to Prison Island.
1000 Hours – 1200 Hours: Prison Island Tour: Visit the former quarantine island to see the 19th-century prison ruins and the sanctuary of Aldabra giant tortoises.
1200 Hours – 1430 Hours: Sandbank Picnic (Nakupenda): Sail to the sandbank for snorkeling in the surrounding coral reefs. Enjoy a, seafood lunch (lobster, calamari, fish), fruit, and refreshments while relaxing on the sand.
1500 Hours – 1530 Hours: Return Journey: Sail back to Stone Town, observing the shoreline and coastal scenery.

Prison Island (Changuu Island)

✓ Giant Tortoise Sanctuary: Visit the Aldabra giant tortoises, some over 150 years old and weighing up to 200 kg. You can feed and take photos with them
✓ History: Explore the ruins of a 19th-century prison complex originally intended for rebellious slaves and later used as a quarantine station

Nakupenda Sandbank

✓ Snorkeling: Discover coral reefs and tropical fish like Clownfish and Moorish Idols in the crystalline waters.
✓ Relaxation: Spend time on the white sandbank, which shifts with the tide and is often surrounded by clear turquoise water
✓ Sandbank Picnic Lunch: Enjoy a freshly prepared Seafood BBQ (typically including lobster, prawns, octopus, and calamari), tropical fruits (mangoes, watermelon), and soft drinks

Key Activities & Inclusions

Transportation: Return boat transfer by traditional dhow.
Activities: Snorkeling (mask/flipper included), visiting the tortoise sanctuary, swimming, and sunbathing.
Food: Seafood buffet lunch, tropical fruits (pineapple, watermelon), and cold drinks.
Environment: The sandbank is known for shallow turquoise waters, ideal for relaxation. 

Important Information for Travelers

✓ Booking: It is highly recommended to book at least 24 hours in advance for organized picnics
✓ What to Bring: Swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, walking shoes for the island ruins, and waterproof bags for electronics
✓ Inclusions: Tours generally include hotel pickup/drop-off (around Stone Town), boat fees, snorkeling equipment, a guide, and the BBQ lunch with drinks
✓ Booking: It is highly recommended to book at least 24 hours in advance for organized picnics; many operators offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the trip

Sandbank Picnic Prison Island Zanzibar Dhow Sailing Tour is a full-day Zanzibar excursion from Stone Town, suitable for anyone, from those who wish to completely relax to those who want adventure and excitement.

Enjoy a fresh grilled seafood feast in gravy on the beautiful Sandbank Beach, snorkel in the live coral reef that surrounds it, and later visit the infamous Prison Island (also known as Changuu Island).

Sailing from Stone Town in Zanzibar, our handcrafted dhow is operated by a professional, trained crew and is fully equipped with life jackets, a first-aid kit, a sunshade, a boarding ladder, and waterproof bags.

The boats comfortably accommodate 16 guests, while the larger one can accommodate up to 25. Guests can choose to sit on the main deck or climb to the top of the upper cabin for a great view!

Sail away with us to sandbanks around the magnificent island of Unguja, Zanzibar. Come on board our traditionally crafted dhows, put your feet up, and feel how the Sultans of Zanzibar were pampered once upon a time.

This tour offers you the original ‘dhow experience’.

0830 Hours: We pick you up from your hotel/residence and transfer you to our meeting point.

0930 Hours: We get a detailed briefing from our guide

0945 Hours: Climb on board the dhow, meet the crew, and set sail to Prison Island. This small island is just 3.5 miles (6 kilometers) from Stone and about a 30-minute ride northwest to arrive at Prison Island. Our Guide gives us information as we sail.

1030 Hours: We tour Prison Island to see the remains of the prison built in the late 1800s during British colonial rule. The prison was never used, and the island is now home to a tortoise sanctuary. Visit the Aldabra Giant Tortoise sanctuary.

We watch the giant tortoises shuffle through the trees with the patience that old age brings. We also enjoy the panorama of Stonetown viewed from an island!

One can also take the footpath through the woodland, spotting birds, bats, various butterflies, and duiker antelope. After the there’s a snorkeling option for those who’d like to get wet.

You will be taken to a snorkelling area for about an hour’s swim and snorkelling. Hop back on board and sail to the sandbank.

1230 Hours: We then sail to the magnificent Pange Sandbank, a beautiful patch of white sand surrounded by turquoise waters.

Guests can relax under the shade of our ample tents or swim in the warm water of the Indian Ocean.

All that activity sure builds an appetite! For lunch, guests can savor a delicious Seafood Barbeque served with a cool, crisp beer and refreshing, soft beverages.

A barbecue seafood lunch will be prepared for 8 or more people. For 7 or fewer persons, we pack a delicious picnic basket!

1400 Hours: After lunch, it’s time to relax on the white sands of the Pange Sandbank and soak up the Zanzibari sun, or snorkel among Clownfish and Moorish Idols, or simply take a walk around the sandbank to witness the birdlife.

Admire the breathtaking view of the turquoise waters that surround you and the birds that loom up above.

1600 Hours: We set sail for Stone Town.

1630 Hours: By the time we set sail to town in the late afternoon, you will have enjoyed one of their favorite days in Zanzibar!

Sandbank Picnic Prison Island Zanzibar Dhow Sailing Tour Rates Include:

✓ Lunch
✓ Mineral bottled water
✓ Professional English-speaking guides
✓All entry fees, service charges, and taxes
✓Pickup from your hotel in Zanzibar Stone Town and drop-off at your hotel & Visit to Prison Island, Sailing in the Dhow, Sandbank Picnic, Snorkel and Swim, etc

Notes 

* Bring along Sunscreen and a Hat, a water-resistant bag for cameras and other valuables, swimwear, a towel, and water-resistant shoes for walking over coral

Sandbank Picnic Prison Island Zanzibar Dhow Sailing Tour Rates Do Not Include:

* Drinks
* Tips or gratuity
* Travelers Insurance
* Communication charges
* Minimum of 1 person required
* Visas, international airfares, and airport taxes; meals
* Sightseeing not included in the package; optional activities
* Personal expenses such as transfers to/ from the airport (supplement airport transfer cost applies for tours starting from the airport)

Mobile: +254-721-242-711
WhatsApp: +254-721-242-711
Reservations: +254 718-179-967
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://africanspicesafaris.com