5 Marine Life Trips in Zanzibar, From Cheap to Splurge

1.Zanzibar: Sea Turtle Swim at Salam Cave in Kizimkazi Village

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 368 reviews · 2 - 4 hours · from $50Our pick

Swim in the clear water of Salam Cave with sea turtles, feed them seaweed, and learn about their care from local staff. Private hotel pickup and drop-off are included, with guides available in 13 languages. Early morning is the best time for a quieter visit. Drivers such as Fumu, Mohammed, and Henry also add local context during the ride.

“The driver picked us up in a nice comfy van and was promptly on time. From Nungwi it’s about 1.5 hours but the driver made it seem faster playing good music and it’s beautiful scenery. The cave swimming with the turtles was extremely peaceful and amazing. The water is crystal clear and refreshing. They give you plenty of time to feed the turtles and no rushing. It’s was also not crowded at all, which my kids enjoyed. Would recommend to all travelers.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Zanzibar: Prison Island & Nakupenda Sandbank Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 265 reviews · 6 - 9 hours · from $83

Spend 6 to 9 hours cruising by small motorized dhow from Zanzibar to Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank. See Aldabra giant tortoises, snorkel with supplied gear, and eat a generous beach barbecue with seafood, fruit, drinks, and vegetarian choices. Guides such as Jeff, Milano, and Mulele are known for lively group hosting.

“The Nakuoenda Sandbank beach was the best part of the tour. The water was crystal clear, warm and really pleasant! The guides were really caring and supportive.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Zanzibar: Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank With Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 208 reviews · 7.5 - 9 hours · from $75

Join Milano, Sangi, or another multilingual guide for a full-day Zanzibar outing. You’ll visit Prison Island’s giant Aldabra tortoises, snorkel from the boat, then spend about four hours at Nakupenda Sandbank with a seafood barbecue, fruit, and soft drinks. Hotel pickup, boat transfers, and snorkeling gear are included.

“It was a really great trip. We had a tranfer from Nungwi to Stonetown (50km) in a Brand New car with a really nice driver and the Guide who we talked to us the whole way. It was really well organized. Everything was on time and we felt really good. The boatride was great. We sang songs and took a lot of cool pictures. The prison Island was great with all the big turtles and their tiny babies. On the Sandbank the Team Build up real quickly a sunshade with chairs and cold Drinks. Then we had some fun in the crystal clear water. The Food was freshly prepaired ba…”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Zanzibar: Nungwi Turtle Aquarium Guided Half-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 197 reviews · 2.5 - 5 hours · from $22Best value

Travel by private vehicle from your Zanzibar hotel to Nungwi, where an aquarium guide explains turtle rescue, fishing-net injuries, and baby turtle protection. You can buy seaweed to feed the turtles and swim in their natural tidal pool. Some departures include Kendwa or Nungwi Beach time. English guides and hotel transfers are included.

“The people were kind. They provide a kayak if you are afraid to go in bare. Would recommend”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Swimming With Turtles AT Salaam Cave AT Kizimkazi Zanzibar

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 112 reviews · 3 hours · from $50

Meet your local Zanzibar guide for a three-hour private outing to Salaam Cave in Kizimkazi. You can swim in the clear pool with rescued sea turtles, feed them seaweed, and learn about their care. Hotel pickup and drop-off, entry, and guiding are included. Plan on roughly 45 to 60 minutes in the cave itself.

“Loved seeing and swimming with the turtles in the cave. Wasn’t overcrowded at all, only four other people there at the same time. The only thing I’d say is it was not three hours; we had maybe 45 minutes in the cave and did feel as though we were being waited on to get out; however, that was plenty of time as it is a small area.”

Check availability →Read our full review