Full Day Trip to Stone Town, Spice Farms and Prison Island
Traveler rating
3.7/5
Based on 7 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Full Day Trip to Stone Town, Spice Farms and Prison Island worth booking?
Full Day Trip to Stone Town, Spice Farms and Prison Island is a 9-hour experience in Zanzibar City, Tanzania, from $170 per person. It scores 54 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.7/5 rating across 7 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 54 / 100
- Rating
- 3.7/5 (7)
- Duration
- 9 hours
- From
- $170 per person
A full-day tour of the senses! This tour includes three (3) must visit Places in Zanzibar, which are Stone Town City (The UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Cultural Arts Centre of East Africa) and the Spice Farm known as Big Body With Tatata Spice Farm and we will end our day by exploring the Prison Island - the former prison for slaves and quarantine station for Zanzibar built by Lloyd Mathews in 1893. It is an absolutely worthwhile experience. Zanzibar is well known for its Heritage Sites and Cultural tours.
What you get
About this experience
A full-day tour of the senses! This tour includes three (3) must visit Places in Zanzibar, which are Stone Town City (The UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Cultural Arts Centre of East Africa) and the Spice Farm known as Big Body With Tatata Spice Farm and we will end our day by exploring the Prison Island - the former prison for slaves and quarantine station for Zanzibar built by Lloyd Mathews in 1893. It is an absolutely worthwhile experience. Zanzibar is well known for its Heritage Sites and Cultural tours.
What's included
Included
- Service of Informative, friendly and Experienced Professional Tour guide
- Mineral Water During the Tour
- Boat charters and Snorkeling gears (life jacket, mask & flippers)
- Pick up and drop off from your hotel in private car with air condition
- Government Taxes (18% VAT), Waiting Charge, Fuel Surcharges & Service Fees
Not included
- Lunch at Lukmaan Restaurant or Cape Town Fish Market Zanzibar
- International & Local Flights
- Airport Taxes
- Expenses of a personal Nature
What you'll see and do
Jambo Spice Farm
You will start by visiting the Spice farms & Plantations with our Informative, friendly and Experienced Professional Tour guide. Take our Private Car to Big Body With Tatata Spice Farm. A walking tour passes through villages and spice plantations, a walk through the farms as spice farms workers climb trees, seek out specific plants and cuts off various barks, letting you see, feel and taste everything. Also, you will be able to watch a guide climbing a coconut tree while singing local songs. You will drink fresh coconut juices as much as you will like too also there are a lot of fresh fruits like Bananas, Oranges, Mangoes and a lot more. You can eat as much as you want to. You will be decorated with palm-leaf accessories such as ties, rings, bracelets, and glasses. At the Spice farms, you will have an opportunity to taste some of the exotic fruits of Zanzibar. At Spice, farms are the best place to buy fresh spices directly from the source.
180 minutes here · Admission included
Stone Town
Then later you will board a private car with A/C heading to Stone Town City. Enjoy walking in One of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Cultural Arts Centre of East Africa. You will have the Stone Town City Tour takes around the historical culture and architectural important town of Zanzibar with a century history. It includes a visit to former slave market site, now stands as Anglican church built in 1871, town market, visit the Zanzibar Memorial Museum, House of Wonder built in 1883 (Beit-Al-Ajab), Old Arab Fort, Palace Museum, Old Indian dispensary (Cultural Center).
180 minutes here
Prison Island - Changuu Private Island
You will have a trip to Prison Island. Just a 30-minute boat ride from Stone Town. Visit Lloyd Mathew's Architecture built in 1893. The island’s restaurant is good and well-renowned and the Island is a home of Aldabra Giant Tortoises. Flanged by an amazing beach of reef sanctuary, the island is ideal for swimming, snorkeling and beach relaxation. After tours, you will be dropped off at Hotel for overnight.
120 minutes here · Admission included
After exploring the Stone Town city, you will have a lunch break at Lukmaan Restaurant or Cape Town Fish Market Zanzibar in Stone Town. One of the best and most popular restaurants in Zanzibar. You can order any local foods like Pilau, Biriani or Chinese rice with juice or a bottle of water or otherwise, you can advise any recommended restaurant in Stone Town.
60 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Zanzibar City
for those clients staying in South Coast (Makunduchi, Kizimkazi, Jambiani, Fumba, Paje, Dongwe, Pingwe, Bwejuu and Michamvi).
Meeting point
Zanzibar City
for those clients staying in East Coast (Matemwe, Pwani Mchangani, Kiwengwa, Pongwe, Chwaka and Uroa).
Meeting point
Zanzibar City
for those clients staying in North Coast (Kidoti, Kendwa & Nungwi).
Meeting point
Zanzibar City
for those clients staying in Zanzibar Urban/West Coast (Stone Town, Bububu, Bweni, Chukwani Kama and Chuini).
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 20 minutes before departure.
Ends at
for those clients staying in South Coast (Makunduchi, Kizimkazi, Jambiani, Fumba, Paje, Dongwe, Pingwe, Bwejuu and Michamvi).
Ends at
for those clients staying in East Coast (Matemwe, Pwani Mchangani, Kiwengwa, Pongwe, Chwaka and Uroa).
Ends at
for those clients staying in North Coast (Kidoti, Kendwa & Nungwi).
Ends at
for those clients staying in Zanzibar Urban/West Coast (Stone Town, Bububu, Bweni, Chukwani Kama and Chuini).
Options you can book
from Uroa, Matemwe & Kiwengwa
PICK-UP FROM EAST COAST: This applied to those clients staying on East Coast (Matemwe, Pwani Mchangani, Kiwengwa, Pongwe, Chwaka and Uroa). Starting point: Kaskazini B, Tanzania Pickup included
from Jambiani, Paje & Michamvi
PICK-UP FROM SOUTH COAST: This applied to those clients staying on South Coast (Kizimkazi, Makunduchi, Jambiani, Paje, Pingwe, Bwejuu and Michamvi). Starting point: Unguja South Region, Tanzania Pickup included
from Stone Town, Kama & Chuini
PICK-UP FROM URBAN/WEST COAST: This applied to those clients staying on Zanzibar City (Stone Town Area, Chukwani, Mbweni, MangaPwani, Fumba, Kama & Chuini). Starting point: Mjini Magharibi Region, Tanzania Pickup included
from Kendwa & Nungwi
PICK-UP FROM NORTH COAST: This applied to those clients staying on North Coast (Kidoti, Kendwa and Nungwi). Starting point: Kaskazini A, Tanzania Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Green Zanzibar Tours & Safari Company Limited
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 7 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
7 verified traveler reviews for Full Day Trip to Stone Town, Spice Farms and Prison Island. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
An exellent guide named Rachid.
We met an exellent guide for stonetown tour.He - Rachid-held engaged lectures onhistory and architecture and helped us find a consert we have been lookin for the holw week a TAARAB consert at the academy f musikc.he was totyl engaged and thanks to this comittment we have a rich potrait of zanzibar now and then.As artists we met a fll scale picture of africa arab indian traits in this wonderful new swahili nation.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re thrilled to hear that Ali made such a positive impact on your stay in Zanzibar. It means a lot to us that he was able to guide you safely, provide valuable information, and share the beauty of our island with you. We’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to Ali — they will surely make his day! We hope to welcome you back to Zanzibar again soon.
via Tripadvisor
Ally best guide in Zanzibar
This tour is incredible if your into photography is a photographers paradise from lush green of the spice farm to the exotic alleyways of Stonetown to prison island with its azure waters is just stunning. Ally was an incredible guide, I felt it wasn’t a guide with me back a good friend of mine. So knowledgeable, his kind smile just made the day amazing. If you’re after a tour to see Zanzibar Ally is your man, often when you travel you enjoy the vistas but it’s people you meet that leave lasting impression. Ally was ten out of ten.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your kind and heartfelt review! We’re absolutely thrilled to hear that you had such a memorable experience exploring Zanzibar with us. It’s wonderful to know that the tour provided the perfect setting for your photography — from the vibrant spice farms to the charm of Stone Town and the stunning waters of Prison Island. Zanzibar truly is a photographer’s dream, and we’re glad you were able to capture its beauty. A special thank you for your kind words about Ally. He is indeed a gem on our team, and we’re delighted that his knowledge, warmth, and friendly nature made your day feel more like a journey with a friend than a typical tour. We’ll be sure to pass your compliments on to him — he’ll be overjoyed to hear them! You’re absolutely right: the landscapes are unforgettable, but it’s the people we meet along the way who leave the deepest impressions. We’re so grateful you chose to explore with us and hope to welcome you back to Zanzibar someday soon.
via Viator
Not a good tour experience in Zanzibar
This tour did not meet our expectations. We booked the tour through Viator. We were a group of 10 and indicated that in the reservation. They sent a vehicle that was to only seat 10 passengers. This did not include the driver and the tour guide. We had to squeeze into the van, and even still one of the seats to allow people in and out was not working, so people had to climb over the seat. The spice tour was good, though the description said we would see two locations, we were only taken to one. No second location was offered. The tour through Stone Town was really just walking through Stone Town with a few things pointed out. We eventually just asked to not continue this part (we were already staying in Stone Town and had seen the much of what was being shown). We wanted to eat (there apparently was nothing in the schedule that indicated they were planning for us to have time to eat). We were directed to a restaurant were we ate quickly so we could get the boat to prison island. The trip to the Prison Island was to include snorkeling but no equipment was trough for that. The tour guide told the tour operator that we said we did not want to snorkel. That is not true. I was the lead person in the group but the tour guide never asked me if we were planning to snorkel. I know from the time I booked the tour that some of us were going to snorkel. Plus, the boat ride out to the island did not have any life preservers on it. The guide eventually got some equipment brought to us and those who wanted to snorkel did. However, our feeling for the experience was now not good. The guide seemed to not be aware of what was supposed to happen and was surprised by our asking for things. (We also never got the water that was supposed to be given to us. I did communicate our concerns to the tour operator, but his response was not sensitive to our concerns and basically stated that we were lying about what WE were experiencing in the tour, that we were being influenced by another tour operator and that the tour did all that was listed in the description. It did not. We are a Christian group looking to enjoy Zanzibar and have nothing to gain from not being truthful about the experience. I do not recommend this tour. You may do better waiting to get there and then hiring one of the independent tour guides. It will not cost you as much and you will get what you expect.
Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback. We're genuinely sorry to hear that your tour experience did not meet your expectations and that your group encountered several issues throughout the day. First and foremost, we apologize for the discomfort caused by the vehicle arrangement. We understand how frustrating it must have been for your group of 10 to be tightly packed, especially with a seat malfunction and limited space for the guide and driver. This is certainly not the standard of comfort we aim to provide, and we are already reviewing our vehicle allocation process to ensure this doesn’t happen again. We also regret that the tour itinerary was not delivered as described, particularly the missing second location on the spice tour, the lack of clarity during the Stone Town walk, and the confusion around snorkeling equipment and safety gear. These are important aspects of the experience, and it’s clear we fell short in ensuring a smooth and fully prepared day for your group. It’s deeply concerning to hear that you felt your concerns were dismissed when raised with our team. We take all guest feedback seriously, and we never want any of our guests to feel unheard or invalidated. We sincerely apologize if our response came across as insensitive — that was not our intention, and we will address this internally to improve how we handle communication with our guests in the future. We respect that your group traveled with positive intentions and a desire to enjoy what Zanzibar has to offer. We're truly sorry we didn’t deliver the seamless and memorable experience you were expecting and deserved. While this review is difficult to read, it’s important to us, and we are taking your comments seriously to improve our service going forward. We appreciate your honesty and wish you all the best on your future travels.
via Tripadvisor
Not a good tour for us in Zanzibar
This tour was a disappointment. We told them there were 10 of us, but didn't realize that we would have to cram the 10 of us, plus the driver and the tour guide into a 10 passenger van, with one of the seats malfunctioning that made it difficult to get in and out of the van for those sitting in the back. Though going to the spice farms was interesting, it was the only part of the tour that was decent. The walk through Stone Town (which, since it was our first time to Zanzibar, we didn't know this part was going to be a walking tour) was uneventful to the point we stopped that tour. When we headed to Prison Island and planning to snorkel the company did not provide any of the equipment that we needed for snorkeling, though it stated in the description that they would. The tour guide eventually was able to send a boat to get some equipment for us, but by that time our whole disposition was not into doing it. Some of us did go ahead and snorkel, but just a short time. The tour guide apparently was a freelance tour guide and was not aware of all of the expectations for the tour. He tried to do the best he could but we were not in the best mood because of the issues. Plus, we never got the bottles of water that was supposed to be with the tour. There is no meal break designed in the 8 hour tour which did not make sense. Our assumption was that it would be built in, but it would not have happened if we had not insisted on stopping to eat (at the Africa House Restaurant). We had to make our own adjustments to salvage what we could from the tour. And one of the locals stated that this tour is overpriced even if they had fulfilled their promise. Further concerns will be directed to the Viator direction.
Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback. We're genuinely sorry to hear that your tour experience did not meet your expectations and that your group encountered several issues throughout the day. First and foremost, we apologize for the discomfort caused by the vehicle arrangement. We understand how frustrating it must have been for your group of 10 to be tightly packed, especially with a seat malfunction and limited space for the guide and driver. This is certainly not the standard of comfort we aim to provide, and we are already reviewing our vehicle allocation process to ensure this doesn’t happen again. We also regret that the tour itinerary was not delivered as described, particularly the missing second location on the spice tour, the lack of clarity during the Stone Town walk, and the confusion around snorkeling equipment and safety gear. These are important aspects of the experience, and it’s clear we fell short in ensuring a smooth and fully prepared day for your group. It’s deeply concerning to hear that you felt your concerns were dismissed when raised with our team. We take all guest feedback seriously, and we never want any of our guests to feel unheard or invalidated. We sincerely apologize if our response came across as insensitive — that was not our intention, and we will address this internally to improve how we handle communication with our guests in the future. We respect that your group traveled with positive intentions and a desire to enjoy what Zanzibar has to offer. We're truly sorry we didn’t deliver the seamless and memorable experience you were expecting and deserved. While this review is difficult to read, it’s important to us, and we are taking your comments seriously to improve our service going forward. We appreciate your honesty and wish you all the best on your future travels.
via Viator
The trip was not as...
The trip was not as promised. Two spice farms were listed to visit and we only got taken to one which was good but a lot of hussling for money. Stonetown tour disappointing. Guide was nice but seemed reluctant to walk too far. Not enough time. No water provided and we had to request time to eat. Overall disappointing.
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re truly sorry to hear that the tour did not meet your expectations, and we appreciate you taking the time to let us know where we fell short. We apologize for the confusion regarding the spice farm visits. The tour should have included both locations, and we regret that this was not delivered as expected. We’re currently investigating what went wrong in the scheduling and will ensure this is corrected going forward. We also regret that your Stone Town experience felt rushed and limited. Our guides are usually encouraged to offer a full and engaging walk, but it sounds like more could have been done to meet your expectations. We’ll be reviewing this with the guide involved to ensure we provide the rich cultural experience Stone Town deserves. It’s also disappointing to hear that basic provisions like drinking water and adequate time for meals were not offered clearly. These are important details that should always be part of the guest experience, and we’ll make sure they’re properly communicated and delivered in the future. We sincerely apologize for the overall disappointment and hope you were still able to enjoy some parts of the tour. Your feedback helps us grow and improve, and we hope to have the opportunity to offer you a much better experience should you visit Zanzibar again.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 9 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $170 to $350
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Green Zanzibar Tours & Safari Company Limited, who run 5 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 47.9.
See everything Green Zanzibar Tours & Safari Company Limited runsWhy this scores 54
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Full Day Trip to Stone Town, Spice Farms and Prison Island: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Zanzibar City.
How much does Full Day Trip to Stone Town, Spice Farms and Prison Island cost?
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Prices start at $170 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Zanzibar City usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Full Day Trip to Stone Town, Spice Farms and Prison Island take?
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Plan for about 9 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Zanzibar City is not rushed.
Is Full Day Trip to Stone Town, Spice Farms and Prison Island worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 54 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.7/5 across 7 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Zanzibar City, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Full Day Trip to Stone Town, Spice Farms and Prison Island?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Full Day Trip to Stone Town, Spice Farms and Prison Island suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 9-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Full Day Trip to Stone Town, Spice Farms and Prison Island?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Zanzibar City can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Zanzibar City and add a light layer if any part of the 9-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Full Day Trip to Stone Town, Spice Farms and Prison Island start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Zanzibar City within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Zanzibar City?
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On Outty we rank every Zanzibar City experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour, Stone Town Heritage Walk with local Guide, Zanzibar Adventure Quad with Sunset and Transfer Included. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Zanzibar City?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Zanzibar City?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Full Day Trip to Stone Town, Spice Farms and Prison Island?
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Included: Service of Informative, friendly and Experienced Professional Tour guide; Mineral Water During the Tour; Boat charters and Snorkeling gears (life jacket, mask & flippers); Pick up and drop off from your hotel in private car with air condition; and Government Taxes (18% VAT), Waiting Charge, Fuel Surcharges & Service Fees. Not included: Lunch at Lukmaan Restaurant or Cape Town Fish Market Zanzibar; International & Local Flights; Airport Taxes; and Expenses of a personal Nature. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Full Day Trip to Stone Town, Spice Farms and Prison Island include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 8 listed pickup locations in and around Zanzibar City. Be ready about 20 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Full Day Trip to Stone Town, Spice Farms and Prison Island offered in?
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It is offered in German, English, Italian, French and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Full Day Trip to Stone Town, Spice Farms and Prison Island?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Full Day Trip to Stone Town, Spice Farms and Prison Island wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Specialized infant seats are available; and Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Full Day Trip to Stone Town, Spice Farms and Prison Island if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Full Day Trip to Stone Town, Spice Farms and Prison Island?
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Across 7 reviews averaging 3.7 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for Full Day Trip to Stone Town, Spice Farms and Prison Island?
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There are 4 options to choose from, including from Uroa, Matemwe & Kiwengwa, from Jambiani, Paje & Michamvi, from Stone Town, Kama & Chuini, from Kendwa & Nungwi. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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