Zanzibar Travel Guide

Bawe Island; – Bawe Island lies south of Prison Island and has highly ranking snorkeling spots in the archipelago. Bawe, a not so popularly visited is a 30-minute boat ride.
In 1870, the island was used to anchor the first telegraph cables to Zanzibar linking it with Aden, South Africa and the Seychelles. The snorkeling is excellent and so is the beach at all times of the tide. There’s not much to do on the island but sit on the beach but there are some trees that provide shade allowing fair-skinned people to make a whole day of it plus some sun bathing. Vacation facilities on the island are limited although there is one majestic luxury hotel. It is advisable to carry your food and beverages when traveling to Bawe.

Chumbe Island; – Chumbe Island, also known as Chumbe Island Coral Park is a private island. In Tanzania, it has the first ever Marine National Park plus a Nature reserve and it takes pride in a variety of vegetation as well as local birds. Because of the reserve, nature trails have been set up on the island as well as an educational facility. Several steps have been taken to preserve it; there are permanent moorings for boats landing at Chumbe and this prevents the need to drop anchor and kill coral. Only specific travel operators are permitted to moor at Chumbe. This is in attempt to guard the reef from damage by keep irresponsible boaters. It’s also why only CHICOP approved boat pilots are allowed to anchor there. This is why the Island is relatively expensive to visit. Unlike at Bawe, Chumbe has a lighthouse that is scheduled to be turned into a surveillance point; there is an old mosque that was built in an Indian architecture quite unique to other Islands; there’s a restaurant with a dinner charge inclusive of boat transport.

Grave Island;- This is a long and thin island just next to Snake Island in the north; This Island derives its name from the several graves on it largely belonging to the Britons who suffered casualties while fighting against Arab slaving ships. Several other graves housing the remains of the First World War fights are also located here. Aside from the graves, it has a nice beach although its waters are not suitable for swimming; available is a guesthouse plus a restaurant but partially operating. Travelers are encouraged to carry their own food and drinks. It’s a short boat ride from town

Prison Island; – This is the most fashionable island for travelers seeking an island pleasure holiday trip. It has a small beach that at times crowds at high tide and offers incredible snorkeling. It is a short time boat ride with a small trail that circles it. Visit the old prison and watch out for giant tortoises and peacocks in the ruins’ courtyard. You also get to see a giant natural lagoon that becomes beautiful when the tide is right. This Island was so prominent for slavery however after its abolition, it was inhabited by a British General who was later used it as a quarantine station. A prison was built after the General’s departure but it was never used for its intended purpose, instead housing quarantined visitors to Zanzibar. There’s a restaurant in the large house plus a smaller building that acts as a cottage. The island’s main attraction is the large land tortoises that roam around the big house. Peacocks are also renowned inhabitants of the island. Prison offers a great holiday destination.

Sandbar Island; -This is an island located south of Prison and is visible only at low tide. It’s a wonderful spot for snorkeling and sunbathing. It’s a popular destination for moon camping because of the great view of sunset and moonrise. Boats can be arranged near the Big Tree and they leave at about 6:00 p.m. and come back when you’re ready. People bring their own food and drinks. This Island gets a special appearance at sunrise due to redness from the horizon like being under a natural floodlight; and similarly as it sets it’s very dark on the island and you can’t see much but once the moon comes up it looks beautiful too. It’s also good for day picnics and diving. Its biggest hindrance is the equatorial sun heat.

Snake Island; -This small Island lies between Prison and Grave Islands and has no beach hence less frequently visited.