Prison Island Private Half-day Tour
Overview
Changuu Island is now referred to as Prison Island after being known as Kibandiko Islands in the past. By boat, Stone Town is approximately thirty minutes away. The island was once owned by an Arab and was used to house refractory slaves; however, no prisoners were ever kept on the island; instead, it served as a quarantine centre during outbreaks of yellow fever.
It was bought by General Lloyd Mathews and the jail (goal) which still stands was built in 1893 and hence the name “PRISON ISLAND”. Changuu received a gift in 1919 from the British governor of the Seychelles, four giant tortoises named Aldabra. This species has been added to the IUCN Red List and is currently deemed vulnerable.
The welfare of the tortoises is overseen by a devoted foundation on the island. A visit to the famous Prison Island, home to the enormous land tortoise, is part of this tour. You can swim, sunbathe, snorkel and watch and feed the tortoises while you’re on the island.
Tour Tips
Any item of personal nature Advisable.
Swimwear, towel and water resistant shoes.
Hat and sunscreen.
Please do not feed, ride or touch the tortoises.
Women should cover their shoulders and wear long skirts or trousers when you are back in Stone Town.
Includes
- Boat ride to Prison Island on shared boat with other guests.
- Entrance at Prison Island.
- Tortoises, peacocks and dik diks on the island.
- Old Quarantine jail on the island.
- Knowledgeable Tour Guide.
- Return transfers to/from the hotel
- Snorkeling gears
Detailed Itinerary
Take a tour of this tropical wonderland by travelling to Prison Island, also referred to as Changuu locally. The most well-known resident of the island, a 192-year-old tortoise, roams around and might be open for a picture opportunity. After swimming or snorkeling in the warm waters, visit some amiable reptiles.
Your safari guide will greet you in your hotel lobby and takes you to Stone Town, where a boat is waiting for your arrival. Discover the history of the island, which was never really used as a proper prison, as you navigate the glistening sea. Make sure to glance down and observe the marine life residing in the reef beneath the island as soon as it becomes visible.
Step onto the powder-soft, white sand and head towards the island’s jail, constructed in 1893 with the intention of housing inmates. Escape from prison and explore the island’s rambling Aldabra giant tortoises, which meander slowly around the surface in search of edible vegetation. Today, Prison Island is the only haven set aside specifically to preserve these statements.
Come along with us as we sail to Quarantine Island, also known as Changuu, and Prison Island, home to a conservation area protecting the critically endangered Aldabra tortoises.
Some tortoises are almost 180 years old, even though there are babies and juveniles! Take a tour of the historic prison, which was once used to house renegade slaves and was later used as a quarantine site to protect the main island from diseases like yellow fever, after admiring our enormous reptile friends.
A little too hot? Why not swim and unwind on the white sands or go snorkeling in the pristine waters that encircle the island. We’ll treat you to some tropical fruit as we sail back in the hopes of leaving you with a particularly delightful memory of your day.
Before boarding the dhow for the Prison Island Trip, the Prison Island excursion makes a fantastic addition to a morning city tour or a visit to the Freddie Mercury Museum.
Please note that all Trips to Prison Island are shared excursions.
It will cost an additional $10 or more per person to enter the Freddie Mercury Museum before or after the tour; payment must be made at the door.
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