ZANZIBAR - PRISON ISLAND - NUNGWI BEACH

Changuu Island, commonly known as Prison Island, is a tiny island that is home to giant tortoises. You can reach this island in 20 minutes by motorboat from Stone Town, the capital of Zanzibar. It is located approximately 5 km northwest of Stone Town. The island was used for slave trade in the 1860s, and black people living in East Africa were sent to the Middle East from here. Later, in 1893, the British Minister of Zanzibar had a prison built here, but the island was never used as a prison. Later, the entire island and the prison building were used as quarantine for epidemic diseases, especially the spread of yellow fever. Today, that building serves as a cafe and restaurant. Tourists and locals have the opportunity to see giant tortoises by reaching Changuu Island, one of the few islands in the world where giant tortoises live, with wooden boats called "dhow" in the local Swahili language.

Nungwi is a large village located at the northernmost tip of Zanzibar Island, the liveliest coastal point of Zanzibar. Traditionally a fishing village and dhow-building centre, the area is a popular tourist destination.

Nungwi Mnarani Aquarium is located on Zanzibar’s northernmost beach in the Nungwi district. It is home to the Sea Turtle Conservation Lagoon, a project that aims to protect sea turtles. The aquarium has been protecting the endangered sea turtles for over 20 years. The non-profit organization Eco & Culturs NGO started the project in 1993, working with the villagers of Nungwi to save the species from extinction, as they are hunted for their beautiful patterned shells and meat.

We recommend Ocean Breeze Boutique Hotel for accommodation.

Nungwi road, Nungwi, Tanzania • Distance to center 0.8 km