Nakupenda Sandbank is a sandbank in the middle of the sea, not far from Stone Town. At low tide, it forms a spacious beach with fine white sand, whilst at high tide it shrinks considerably and much of it disappears beneath the surface of the water.

I’d recommend a trip there mainly for the beautiful colour of the sea, a swim and lunch on the sand.

However, don’t expect a deserted island or top-class snorkelling. Nakupenda is one of the most popular day-trip destinations near Stone Town, and there are usually many boats moored there during the morning.

Compare trips to Nakupenda Sandbank

Is a trip to Nakupenda worth it?

In my opinion, yes, especially if you’re staying in Stone Town or want to combine a visit to Nakupenda with a trip to Prison Island in a single day.

The trip is suitable for travellers who want to:

• spend a few hours swimming and relaxing on the white sandy beach
• take photos of the turquoise sea without any buildings in the background
• enjoy a fish and seafood lunch prepared right on the beach
• combine swimming with a visit to see the turtles on Prison Island

I wouldn’t, however, choose Nakupendu as my main snorkelling trip. The marine life here is less abundant than at Mnemba Atoll, and due to the large number of boats, it isn’t a peaceful or authentic spot either.

On its own, or combined with Prison Island?

Two types of boat trips are most commonly offered.

Nakupenda Sandbank only

The shorter trip lasts around 3 hours and is ideal if you mainly want to swim and sunbathe, or if you only have half a day in Stone Town.

Check whether the price includes fruit, drinks, snorkelling equipment and a transfer from your hotel.

Nakupenda and Prison Island

In my opinion, the full-day combination makes more sense. First, you’ll visit Prison Island with its giant tortoises, and then carry on to Nakupenda, where the programme usually includes lunch, fruit and time for a swim.

The tour usually takes 5 to 7 hours. Some packages also include a tour of Stone Town or a transfer from beach resorts.

However, a longer programme doesn’t automatically mean more time on the beach, so always check the exact itinerary.

When are the tides? The best time to visit

As it is not possible to reach Nakupenda Sandbank independently, you do not need to check the tide times.

Whenever you book an organised trip with one of the many agencies, you’ll be given the exact time of the boat trip so that you can always enjoy Nakupenda Sandbank at low tide, when the island is at its largest.

Even at high tide, a small part remains above the water, but compared to low tide, Nakupenda Sandbank is about five times smaller.

Swimming, sunbathing and snorkelling

Nakupenda Sandbank is a great spot for sunbathing. The sand here is very fine and comfortable both for walking on and for lying on.

The crystal-clear, turquoise sea is perfect for swimming and snorkelling, but the marine life here is nowhere near as abundant as in the areas to the north of Zanzibar (such as Mnemba Atoll).

You’ll always find plenty of souvenir sellers and places selling light refreshments on the island, but you must always haggle over the price; and given that this is one of the most popular tourist spots in Zanzibar, prices are quite high.

How to get there – prices for boat trips and excursions

There are no regular ferry services to Nakupenda Sandbank; you can mainly get there on organised boat trips, all of which depart from Stone Town – usually from the Livingston restaurant near theTembo B&B Apartments.

There are dozens of agencies in Stone Town offering guided boat trips, including the option of being picked up from other resorts and beaches across Zanzibar.

All trips can be booked almost exclusively via getyourguide.com, which features all of Zanzibar’s travel agencies.

The prices and durations of the trips vary depending on the specific agency and itinerary. As a rough guide, expect to pay the following amounts:

• Nakupenda Sandbank only (2–3 hours) – from 35 usd
• Nakupenda Sandbank + Prison Islandwith lunch (5–6 hours) – from 65 usd

Compare trip prices on getyourguide.com

It is possible to visit Nakupenda Sandbank independently, but only after negotiating the price for the boat trip directly on the beach; however, this is likely to be more expensive than a pre-organised trip booked via getyourguide.com.

What to see around

Discover all the places to see in Zanzibar.