Changuu Island, more famously known as Prison Island, lies just 5.6 km (3.5 miles) off the coast of Stone Town and is one of Zanzibar’s most intriguing historical sites. Though peaceful and picturesque today, the island holds a complex past. It remained uninhabited until the 1860s, when the Sultan of Zanzibar chose it as a place to confine rebellious slaves before they were taken to the bustling slave market in Stone Town.


When Zanzibar became a British protectorate in the 1890s, the British authorities purchased Changuu and constructed a prison—yet ironically, it was never used for that purpose. Instead, the island became a quarantine station for those afflicted with Yellow Fever and Malaria. During this period, Changuu Island took on a unique dual identity: for half the year, it served as a medical isolation facility, and for the other half, it operated as a quiet resort for visitors seeking ocean breezes and tranquility.


In 1919, the island’s story took a gentler turn when the Governor of the Seychelles gifted four Aldabra giant tortoises to Prison Island. Their descendants still roam freely today under careful protection, making the island one of the few places in the world where visitors can observe these magnificent creatures up close.



A visit to Prison Island can easily be combined with a relaxing escape to Nakupenda Island, offering the perfect blend of history, nature, and beachside serenity in one unforgettable tour.