The Turtles of Zanzibar: Discovering the Wonders of the Underwater World
The turtle of Zanzibar includes sea turtles (green Chelonia mydas, hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata) endangered and giant land tortoises Aldabra (Aldabrachelys gigantea) Prison Island. Sea turtles are seen Mnarani Conservation Pond Nungwi (10,000 TZS/4 USD), snorkeling/diving Mnemba Atoll (80-120 USD), nesting beaches Oct-Feb (50-80 USD night tours). Giant tortoises are seen Prison Island (40-50 USD Stone Town tour). Difference: sea turtles swim ocean, giant turtles walk land. This guide explains species, where to see them, prices and conservation.
Zanzibar turtle species
Sea turtle - Green turtle (Chelonia mydas)
- Size: 80-120 cm, 100-200 kg
- Diet: Herbivorous (algae, seagrasses)
- Status: Endangered (IUCN)
Sea turtle - Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
- Size: 60-90 cm, 50-80 kg
- Carapace: Unique brown/golden pattern
- Status: Critically endangered
- Threat: Illegal jewelry used shell
Giant land tortoises - Aldabra tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea):
- Size: 100-120 cm, 150-250 kg (some 200+ kg)
- Longevity: 100-200+ years
- Origin: Seychelles (imported Prison Island 1919)
- Habitat: Terrestrial, do NOT swim.
Where to watch turtles in Zanzibar
Mnarani Conservation Pond (marine)
Location: Nungwi, 200 meters Nungwi Beach.
Experience: Feeding turtles (lettuce/vegetables), learning conservation, photography, observing behavior.
PriceTZS 10,000 (4 USD) for adults, TZS 5,000 (2 USD) for children.
Schedule: 9:00-18:00 daily.
Duration: 30-45 minutes.
How to get there: Walk to Nungwi hotels (5-10 min), cab Stone Town 70,000-80,000 TZS (30-35 USD).
Prison Island (land giants)
LocationChanguu Island, 5 km Stone Town.
Experience: Feeding/touching giant tortoises 100-200 years old (200+ kg), photography, island exploration, snorkeling.
Price40-50 USD full tour (boat round trip, entrance fee, guide).
Duration: 3-4 hours total (30 min boat each way).
ImportantTerrestrial NOT marine turtles - different species.
Nesting beaches (wild marine)
When: October-February.
WhereNungwi, Matemwe, Kendwa, Paje.
ExperienceNocturnal tours (22:00-2:00) to observe females laying 80-120 eggs.
Price: 50-80 USD (guide required).
RulesDistance 10+ meters, NO flash, silent, follows guide.
RealitySightings NOT guaranteed.
On the island of Zanzibar you can enjoy an infinity of activities that will make you enjoy everything the island has to offer to the fullest.
Zanzibar tortoise conservation
Threats
Accidental capture: Fishing nets.
Plastics: Turtles mistake bags for jellyfish, suffocate to death.
Loss of beaches: Tourist development reduces nesting.
Illegal huntingShell : Jeweled tortoiseshell carapace, consumed meat.
Light pollution: Baby turtles are disoriented.
Conservation efforts
MnaraniRescue injured turtles, rehabilitate, release (saved 1,000+ since 1993).
Beach patrolsMonitor nesting, protect nests.
Education: Fishermen teach fishermen to release captured turtles.
Legislation: Tanzania bans turtle hunting, shell trade.
Zanzibar turtle activities
Feeding turtles
Mnarani (navy): Throw lettuce water, turtles swim eat - 30-45 min (10,000 TZS).
Prison Island (giants): You feed directly vegetables - 2-3 hours (40-50 USD including boat).
Swimming with turtles
Snorkeling/divingMnemba Atoll best place (diving 80-120 USD, snorkeling 50-80 USD).
RulesDistance 2-3 meters, DO NOT touch, DO NOT chase.
Nesting observation
Night Tours: Oct-Feb (50-80 USD, 22:00-2:00).
What to seeFemale leaves water (150+ kg), digs nest (30-60 min), lays 80-120 eggs, returns to sea.
RequiresPatience (waiting hours possible, NOT guaranteed).
Differences Zanzibar tortoise species
| Feature | Sea Turtles | Giant Tortoises |
|---|---|---|
| Species | Green, Hawksbill | Aldabra |
| Habitat | Ocean (swim) | Earth (walk) |
| Size | 60-120 cm, 50-200 kg | 100-120 cm, 150-250 kg |
| Longevity | 50-80 years | 100-200+ years |
| Where to see | Mnarani, Mnemba | Prison Island |
| Price | 10.000 TZS (4 USD) | 40-50 USD |
| State | Danger/critical | Vulnerable |
Frequently asked questions Zanzibar tortoise
What turtle species are there in Zanzibar and where to see them?
The Zanzibar tortoise includes: (1) Sea turtles - (Chelonia mydas, 80-120 cm, 100-200 kg, herbivorous, endangered) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata, 60-90 cm, single-shelled, critically endangered) seen at Mnarani Conservation Pond Nungwi (10,000 TZS/4 USD to feed rehabilitation turtles, 9:00-18:00, 30-45 min), Mnemba Atoll snorkeling/diving (80-120 USD diving, 50-80 USD snorkeling, 70-80% probability), nesting beaches Oct-Feb (night tours 50-80 USD Nungwi/Matemwe); (2) Giant land tortoises - Aldabra (100-120 cm, 150-250 kg, 100-200+ years, herbivores) imported Seychelles 1919 views Prison Island (40-50 USD Stone Town boat tour, feeding/towing, 3-4 hours). DifferenceMarine swim in the ocean, giants walk on land while being different species. According to WWF, Zanzibar tortoise marine ecosystems" are "indicators of marine ecosystem health" and are vital for conservation.
How much does it cost to see turtles in Zanzibar?
See Zanzibar tortoise cost: (1) Mnarani (rehabilitation marinas) - 10,000 TZS (4 USD) adults, 5,000 TZS (2 USD) children9:00-18:00, feeding green turtles/carey, conservation, photography, 30-45 min, Nungwi 200 meters beach; (2) Prison Island (land giants) - 40-50 USD full tour boat round trip Stone Town (30 min), entrance fee, guide, feeding Aldabra turtles 200+ kg, touching shells, 3-4 hours; (3) Wild snorkeling/diving - Mnemba diving 80-120 USD (2 dives, 70-80% probability), snorkeling 50-80 USD (boat), Nungwi beach 15,000-20,000 TZS (6-8 USD) equipment (30-40% probability); (4) Nocturnal nesting Oct-Feb 50-80 USD (22:00-2:00, NOT guaranteed). Best valueMnarani 10,000 TZS educational economical, Prison Island 40-50 USD full experience. According to TripAdvisorMnarani "excellent value for money" while Prison Island "expensive but worth the impressive turtles".
What is the best way to see turtles in Zanzibar?
The best way to see Zanzibar tortoise depends on: (1) Educational interaction → Mnarani (RECOMMENDED families) - feed sea turtles, learn conservation, 10,000 TZS (4 USD), Nungwi 5-10 min walk, 30-45 min; (2) Unique giant tortoises → Prison Island - feed/landfill 100-200 years (200+ kg), 40-50 USD boat Stone Town, 3-4 hours, photogenic; (3) Natural habitat → Mnemba snorkeling/diving - green turtles swimming reefs 10-30 meters, diving 80-120 USD (PADI required), snorkeling 50-80 USD, 70-80% probability; (4) Single nesting → Night Tours Oct-Feb - female laying 80-120 Nungwi/Matemwe eggs, 50-80 USD but NOT guaranteed, patience required. RecommendationCombine Mnarani (guaranteed educational) + snorkel Mnemba (natural habitat) maximizing experience. Zanzibar tortoise education + nature.
• Pirates, JAMBIANI •
LUMIX GX9
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💖 Beautiful memories from Zanzibar 💖
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[🇹🇿 TANZANIE]
+2 minutes de soleil
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+2 minutes of Sun
#sunnydays #sunset_vision #sunsets_captures #sunset_pics #sunsetlovers #sunset_stream #daylight #springiscoming #seascape #seaside #seaview #boatlife #tonesbox #agameoftones #outdoortones #creativetones #earthcapture #earthpic #zanzibarisland #zanzibarbeach #frenchroamers #roamtheworld #roamtocreate #beautifulnature #landscape_capture #goodvibrations #beachvibes #onthesea #sundown
Лучше ярко гореть, чем тускло тлеть💫
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Nungwi 2022 🇹🇿🇹🇿🇹🇿
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Take me back 🌴
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#zanzibar#upendobeach#therock#zanzibarbeach#zanzibarisland#beach#explore#holiday#adventure#idland#tanzania#Tanzanie
First day on the island 🩵🌴☀️
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Steht Sansibar auf deiner Bucketlist? 😍☀🌴
📷 Source: paradiescreme89
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🩵 MAKE YOUR CHOICE !
If you have to nail your fingers, where would you like to go, here below:
1️⃣ À ZANZIBAR
(photo prise à Nakupenda Bis)
2️⃣ AUX BAHAMAS
(photo taken at Cocoplum beach on the island of Exuma)
3️⃣ À L`ÎLE MAURICE
(photo prise à l`île plate)
4️⃣ AUX SEYCHELLES
(photo taken at Anse Source d`Argent on the island of La Digue)
5️⃣ AUX PHILIPPINES
(photo taken at Kayangan Lake on the island of Coron)
Bon, vous l`aurez l`aurez compris, j`aime les îles de rêve, les plages de sable blanc et d`eau turquoise et clairement, ces destinations sont juste parfaites pour les amoureux des îles comme moi !
5 destinations to be made absolutely 😍.
A good restaurant straight ahead #mtendebeach #mtende #zanzibar #zanzibarbeach #instazanzibar #beach #beachlife #dreambeach #plage #instabeach #sea #sealovers #africa #picoftheday #photo #photography #photooftheday #photographer #instaphoto #restaurant #travel #travelphotography #travelgram #travelblogger #traveladdict #traveling #traveler #paradise #theview #vacances
First day in paradise 🩵
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𝙷𝚊𝚔𝚞𝚗𝚊 𝙼𝚊𝚝𝚊𝚝𝚊 🌿
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Here is a list of the islands you must visit when you travel to Zanzibar (Unguja Island) 🇹🇿
5. Kwale (Safari Blue) Island: The island is known for its famous tour of Safari Blue and the ancient Baobab tree found on the Island. It has one of the most beautiful lagoon in Zanzibar ✨
4. Changuu (Prison) Island: Located in Stone Town with a short boat ride, the island is well known for its fascinating history from slave trade, colonial era to the current day. It hosts numerous giant Aldabra tortoises which are over 100 years old 🐢
3. Pungume Island: A hidden gem of Zanzibar located on the southern part of the Island. The Island is surrounded with healthy coral reefs with several species of fish. It has a hidden cave that can only be accessible when the tide is high. It is that one island where you go to avoid crowds ✨
2. Mnemba Island: Famous for the dolphin trip in Zanzibar. Mnemba Island is surrounded by some of the best waters in East Africa. With it’s rich marine life, the island is always known for snorkeling and scuba diving 🐬
🏝️ Honorable Mention: Tumbatu Island
1. Chumbe Island: The eco-paradise of Zanzibar and home of one of the most protected coral reefs in the world. On this island conservation efforts are the top priority and educating the local communities on the importance of protecting the environment. Chumbe Island is the number one snorkeling site in Zanzibar full of fish species. It also has an untouched forest with rare wildlife like Coconut Crabs. For experiencing Zanzibar natural beauty at its finest, this is the place to visit 🤩
Which of these islands is your favorite?
Karibu Zanzibar 🥳
#zanzibar #zanzibardestination #zanzibarbeach #zanzibarisland #zanzibarlife