Prison Island beach is a long stretch of fine white sand with turquoise blue waters. Prison Island, also known as Changuu Island, is a beautiful island of Zanzibar, only about 6km from Stone Town. It is sometimes called Quarantine Island or Kibanndiko. The island is small, approximately 800m long and 230m wide at its widest point.
History of Prison Island
Despite its name, Prison Island was not particularly a prison. In the 19th century, during the slave trade era, the island was owned by Arab merchants who used it as a holding area for enslaved people before their transportation to other foreign countries. During this time, Prison Island, also called Changuu Island, served as a temporary holding area for those who resisted slavery or were being punished.
During the British Colonial period, in the year 1893, a prison complex was built to hold hardened criminals from Zanzibar. The building, however, did not house prisoners. It instead became a quarantine station for yellow fever outbreaks at the time, especially for slave ships and other ships arriving from the mainland of Tanzania, then Tanganyika.
Prison Island today is a tourist retreat with historical artifacts and literature. The old prison complex still stands, partially restored, with travelers able to walk through the cells, courtyard, and former administration buildings, giving a haunting reminder of what could have been.
Prison Island as a Tortoise Sanctuary
It is a sanctuary for the Giant Aldabra Tortoises. These were originally gifted from Seychelles at the start of the 20th century, and most are now well over 150 years old. Travelers are welcome to observe, feed, and photograph these giant tortoises.
While visiting the beach area, apart from strolling on the beach and visiting the ruins and the Aldabra Tortoises, other things to do include;
Snorkeling and Water activities: With the crystal-clear blue waters around Prison Island, snorkeling is an ideal activity to enjoy, with shallow coral reefs filled with many colorful tropical fish, sea urchins, and dolphins at times.
Island Walks: Despite being only about 800m long and 230m wide, Prison Island offers pleasant walking trails along shady trees, rocky shoreline, and sometimes baobab trees.
Unwinding at the beach: Prison Island has a fine white sand beach where one can take a walk, swim in the waters, and sunbathe while enjoying the unending Indian Ocean views.
How to Get to Prison Island
To access the Island beach and the island itself, one takes local boats from the Forodhani Gardens or at any point in Stone Town.
Prison Island is a beautiful place that blends history with calm relaxation areas. Take time to include it in your Zanzibar safaris tour for a lesson through history, and also get a chance to enjoy the beach and water activities available here, like snorkeling, among others. Get in touch with us for a Zanzibar safari tour fit just for you. just for you.
