Prison Island

Service Description

A former prison, giant tortoises, and snorkeling. This island is named after the prison that was built in 1893. The prison was originally intended to house violent prisoners from the mainland and people sick with yellow fever. However, the prison is now owned by a hotel. In addition to the prison, the island is also home to a tortoise sanctuary. The sanctuary contains a large colony of giant tortoises that were imported from Seychelles in the late 19th century. During your visit to the sanctuary, you will learn about efforts to protect the tortoises. These creatures have an average weight of 200 kg and many of them are over 150 years old. You’ll have the opportunity to touch them and take photos. Moreover, the island is home to a stunning colony of peacocks. For the remainder of the trip, you can choose to either snorkel around the coral that fringes Prison Island and enjoy the marine life or simply relax under the warm sun until we return to Stone Town.