Prison island
Prison Island, also known as Changuu (the name of a popular fish eaten locally), is a short ten-minute hop by boat from Stone Town and if you are in Zanzibar for a short time only is a pleasant excursion – taking in the small sandy beach and snorkelling, the chance to eat some lunch and to see the island’s ancient Aldabra giant tortoises – a gift from the Seychelles. These creatures are rumoured to be over a century old, and looking into their eyes it is believable. There is also a private hotel on Changuu, and a substantial part of the island is for guests only. Nonetheless it’s still an affordable, worthwhile day out for day guests.
In fact, despite the name, Prison Island never actually featured a working prison. Although it was at one stage intended for use as a prison (and was used in the 1860s to contain rebellious slaves), it was never actually used as such, but it was used as a quarantine station from the 1890s – as Zanzibar became East Africa’s main port, fears increased about epidemics arising from cargo or passengers.
If you get the chance to wander round the island, look out for the resident wildlife – a number of aloof peacocks and darting groups of small Suni antelopes.
As well as paying for your boat there and back, take $4 for entrance to the island - although this doesn't always seem to be collected. You can rent snorkels and masks on the island and go snorkelling on the small reef there.
