Stone Town and Prison Island Private Day Trip in Zanzibar Archipelago

Are you planning a trip to the beautiful and unique islands of the Zanzibar Archipelago? If so, you won’t want to miss out on visiting Stone Town and Prison Island. Stone Town is the historic old quarter of Zanzibar city, and Prison Island is a stunning island located just off the coast, where a colonial-era prison once stood. Visiting both of these sites will give you an interesting insight into the history, culture and beauty of one of the most stunning places in the world. In this guide, we’ll explain exactly what a Stone Town and Prison island private day trip entails and why you should include this excursion in your Zanzibar trip.

What is Stone Town?

Stone Town is the oldest part of Zanzibar City, located on the western coast of the main island. It was given its name due to its streets being constructed from coral stone, as well as its ancient fortresses, palaces and mosques. It was even designated a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2001. Not only is Stone Town filled with historical sites and monuments, it’s also great for exploring the markets and streets that pulse with energy and life. Spend the morning wandering the backstreets, listening to the exciting bustle, gazing up at the intricate carvings of doors and windows, or simply people watching.

What is Prison Island?

The Quarantine Island, or Prison Island, is a small island located 5 miles off the east coast of Zanzibar city. It was first used as a quarantine island for ships coming from Europe to Zanzibar during the 19th century. Some years later a prison was built, which was eventually abandoned in 1956. Nowadays the island is a popular day trip from Stone Town. A visit to Prison Island is a fantastic way to enjoy an idyllic day out in paradise. The white sand beaches are perfect for relaxing and swimming in crystal clear waters, and there’s plenty of colourful fish darting around the coral reefs. You can also explore traces of the old prison or simply stroll around the island, taking in its serenity.

Stone Town and Prison Island Private Day Trip

If you’re looking for an incredible day out while in Zanzibar, taking a Stone Town and Prison Island private day trip is a great option. With private transportation included, your guide will pick you up at your hotel or apartment and drive you in an air-conditioned car to Stone Town. Upon arriving at Stone Town there will be a tour of the old quarter, lasting approximately two to three hours, including visits to some of its most famous monuments such as the slave market, House of Wonders and Arab Fort. After the tour has finished, you’ll board a private boat from Stone Town to Prison Island. Here, you’ll have access to all of Prison Island’s facilities including its restaurant and bar, lounge chairs for sunbathing and swimming in its turquoise waters. During your visit on Prison Island you can also feed hundreds of Giant Tortoises who reside on the island or explore parts of the old colonial-era prison. One great reason to choose this particular excursion is its complete flexibility: your private guide will take care of everything from pick-up to drop-off so you can enjoy your time to the fullest. This means that once on Prison Island, you’ll have total control over what activities to do and how much time to spend doing each one. At the end of your day-trip your private guide will transport you back to your hotel or apartment. It is important to mention that all private day trips are booked through online platforms such as GetYourGuide, which is an industry leader with years of experience offering verified tours and activities with excellent customer reviews.

Conclusion

A Stone Town and Prison Island private day trip provides an opportunity to experience two of Zanzibar’s most iconic sites without stress or worry. From exploring the historical towns of Stone Town to swimming in its pristine coves, lagoons and reefs on Prison Island, this private excursion gives you the perfect balance between cultural sightseeing and relaxation – making it ideal for couples or those travelling solo alike. We highly recommend adding this fantastic excursion to your personal itinerary if you have time during your stay in Zanzibar. To make sure your experience runs smoothly it’s essential to make your reservation through reliable providers such as GetYourGuide. Enjoy!