Private Catamaran – Stone Town Islands & Sandbanks (5 hrs)

Trade city streets for open water. This private Zanzibar catamaran trip combines Prison Island, Nakupenda Sandbank, and remote beaches with a properly equipped yacht, freshly prepared meals, snorkeling, and a sunset sail back to Stone Town. I like the generous food and drink service, and I like having two bathrooms, showers, changing areas, and indoor or outdoor dining on board. The main drawback is the timing: the title suggests five hours, while the full description says approximately eight, so confirm the exact schedule before paying.

The yacht carries up to 12 people, but the experience works especially well for smaller private groups that want room to spread out. It costs $1,300 per group, which is a serious price for two people but can be fair for a family or group of six to twelve. Prison Island’s tortoise sanctuary costs extra, and you must bring your own towels.

Key points to know before booking

• A private yacht for up to 12: Your group shares the catamaran only with the crew, giving you more space and control than a standard group boat.
• Food is a major part of the day: Lunch, snacks, fruit, water, soft drinks, beer, and wine are included, with meat, seafood, vegetarian, vegan, and allergy-sensitive meals arranged in advance.
• Three different water stops: The route can include Prison Island, Nakupenda Sandbank, and a remote beach known as Secret Island.
• Comfort beyond a simple boat ride: You have two bathrooms, showers, changing rooms, charging facilities, indoor and outdoor dining, and a Bluetooth sound system.
• Sunset finishes the outing: After the island and sandbank stops, you sail back toward Stone Town as the light softens over the water.
• Bring your own towel: Snorkeling equipment is provided, but towels are not.

Setting off from Stone Town

The meeting point is Star Tours Zanzibar, near the Cape Town Fish Market restaurant. From there, you board the catamaran and leave Stone Town behind for the open water.

The exact operating window is listed as 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and the day is described as lasting about eight hours. Yet the experience title refers to five hours. That difference matters. A five-hour cruise would feel like a compact outing, while an eight-hour day allows time for several stops, lunch, snorkeling, and a sunset return. I would confirm the start and end times directly before booking, especially if you have a dinner reservation or a flight later that day.

The boat is designed as a yacht rather than a basic transfer vessel. That changes the feel of the outing. You can sit outside in the sun, move inside for shade, eat at a proper table, or rest in a cabin when you want a break from the heat.

The crew includes Captain Lorne, whose name is associated with several especially warm comments about the service. The crew is described as professional, friendly, and attentive without making the day feel stiff. That balance is useful on a private charter because you want help when you need it, but you also want space to enjoy your own group.

First stop: Prison Island and its giant tortoises

The first main stop is Prison Island, also known as Changuu Island. You can snorkel in the surrounding water, stay on board for food and drinks, or visit the giant tortoises on land.

The tortoises are the island’s best-known attraction, but the sanctuary entry fee is not included. Keep some money available if you want to go ashore and see them. If your group is mainly interested in swimming and relaxing, you can skip the fee and remain on the yacht.

This flexibility is one of the better features of a private trip. A large shared boat often means following the group schedule. Here, your party can decide how much time to spend snorkeling, eating, or visiting the tortoises, within the captain’s route and safety limits.

Snorkeling equipment is included. The trip description does not promise a particular marine species or reef condition, so set your expectations around enjoying time in the water rather than checking off a wildlife list. Conditions can change with weather, tide, and visibility.

Prison Island can also be the busiest-feeling stop of the day because it is a well-known excursion point. The yacht’s ability to continue toward quieter places helps balance that. You get a familiar Zanzibar sight first, then a more open and private stretch of the coast later.

Nakupenda Sandbank in the afternoon

From Prison Island, the catamaran continues to Nakupenda Sandbank. This is the part of the day built around pale sand, shallow water, swimming, snorkeling, and time in the sun.

Sandbanks are shaped by tide and weather, so the exact amount of exposed sand can vary. The attraction is not a permanent island with shops and streets. It is a temporary-looking patch of coast where the water and sky do most of the work.

You can go ashore, snorkel again, or stay on board. That last option is worth remembering. Not everyone in a group wants repeated swims, and some people will be happier with a cold drink, lunch, and shade while others head into the water.

The boat’s facilities make this stop more comfortable than a basic beach picnic. You have changing rooms and showers, so you do not need to sit in wet swimwear for the rest of the afternoon. There are also two bathrooms, a small but valuable detail during a full day at sea.

Bring sun protection and plan for strong exposure. The provided information does not specify umbrellas or a shaded beach setup, so the yacht may be your best refuge when the sun becomes tiring. You should also bring a towel, since towels are specifically not included.

Secret Island and the value of going farther

One of the most interesting parts of this charter is its ability to reach beaches that local boats may not visit. The crew refers to one remote stop as Secret Island.

The name should not be taken too literally. It is a useful description for a quieter beach reached by the yacht, not a guarantee that you will have an entire island to yourself. Still, the ability to move beyond the usual local-boat range is a real advantage.

This is where the private format earns its keep. You are not simply being ferried to a popular beach and returned on a fixed loop. The yacht is part of the experience, and the route gives you a chance to spend time in less-developed places.

Conditions still guide the day. The trip requires good weather, and the captain will have the final say on safe movement and stops. If poor weather cancels the outing, you can receive a different date or a full refund. That is reassuring, but it also means the plan is not completely fixed.

Lunch, snacks, and drinks on board

Food is one of the strongest reasons to consider this cruise. Lunch is prepared on the yacht and can be arranged for meat eaters, seafood lovers, vegetarians, vegans, and people with allergies or other dietary needs.

You should provide those details before the charter. The better you communicate in advance, the more useful the meal service will be. This is not a trip where you need to carry a packed lunch as a backup, since lunch, snacks, fruit, bottled water, soft drinks, beer, and wine are included.

The food has received unusually strong praise, especially the fresh seafood and the quality of the cooking. One group specifically enjoyed a seafood lunch cooked on board, while another singled out the chilled wine and generous supply of food and drink.

That does not mean the menu is fixed or that every meal will suit every palate. Your choices and dietary information shape what is prepared. I would ask what lunch is planned if your group has strong preferences.

The drinks package adds value for a long private day. Water and soft drinks cover the basics, while beer and wine make the sail back feel more festive. Alcohol should be enjoyed sensibly, particularly in the sun and around swimming.

Comfort, space, and the yacht itself

The catamaran is built for up to 12 people. A full group will make the price more attractive, but the boat will naturally feel less private in practical terms when every place is occupied.

A smaller group of four to six should have plenty of room to sit, eat, change, and move between the deck and interior. One six-person group found there was ample space, with two toilets and a shower adding to the comfort.

The yacht includes:

• Two bathrooms
• Showers and changing rooms
• Indoor and outdoor dining
• Resting quarters
• Bluetooth sound system
• Charging facilities
• Snorkeling equipment

These are not decorative extras. On a full day, access to a bathroom, a place to change, and a shower can be the difference between feeling pampered and feeling worn out.

The Bluetooth system lets your group choose the music, which can make the boat feel more personal. Keep the volume considerate if the crew asks for it, particularly near other boats or shorelines.

The charging facilities are useful for phones and cameras, but the details do not specify the type or number of outlets. Do not rely on them as your only power plan. Charge your equipment before boarding.

The sunset sail back to Stone Town

The final stretch returns to the Stone Town meeting point, with the sunset viewed from the yacht. This gives the day a natural finish instead of ending abruptly at the last swim.

Stone Town looks different from the water. The town’s waterfront, boats, and evening light become part of the view as you approach. You are not rushing from a beach to a vehicle, which keeps the return calm.

A sunset at sea depends on weather and cloud cover, so no exact color show is guaranteed. Still, the timing is well chosen. After lunch, swimming, and the island stops, a quieter ride back gives you time to dry off, listen to music, and have another drink.

The activity ends where it begins. Private transportation is included, but the supplied details do not spell out hotel pickup arrangements. The practical assumption is that you should reach the Stone Town meeting point unless the operator confirms another pickup plan.

Is $1,300 good value?

The price is $1,300 per group of up to 12 people. Split twelve ways, that is about $108 per person. For six people, it is about $217 each. For two people, it becomes a much more expensive private splurge.

The price includes fuel, crew, private transportation, lunch, snacks, fruit, mineral water, soft drinks, beer, wine, and snorkeling equipment. It also covers the privacy of having the yacht reserved for your own group.

That makes the charter easier to justify for a family, wedding party, birthday group, or several friends traveling together. Custom requests such as birthday cakes can also be arranged.

For a couple on a tight budget, a shared dhow or group snorkeling trip will likely cost less. The extra money here buys space, privacy, flexible choices, better onboard facilities, and a full meal service. Decide if those are the parts of the day you value most.

The fee for Prison Island’s tortoise sanctuary is separate. Towels are also not provided, so bring your own.

Who will enjoy this Zanzibar cruise?

I would recommend this catamaran most strongly to:

• Families who need bathrooms, changing areas, food choices, and room to rest
• Groups of friends who can divide the price
• Couples wanting a private celebration
• People who prefer a polished yacht to a basic boat
• Anyone who wants snorkeling mixed with proper meals and downtime
• Visitors staying in Stone Town for several days

It may be less suitable if you want a short, cheap boat ride or a hard-edged adventure with no concern for comfort. It is also not the right choice if you need a guaranteed fixed five-hour schedule without confirming the timing first.

Most people can take part, service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. Good weather is required, so keep some flexibility in your Zanzibar plans.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. If weather forces the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Stone Town catamaran?

Book it if your group can share the cost and you want a full day that mixes comfort, food, snorkeling, and quieter beaches. The yacht facilities are unusually useful, and the service has earned high marks for friendliness, professionalism, and attention to detail.

I would be especially keen to book for six or more people. At that size, the cost becomes easier to defend, and you can make good use of the private space, custom meal planning, music system, and flexible stop choices.

Before confirming, ask one simple question: Is our booking five hours or approximately eight hours? Then send your dietary needs, confirm the meeting point and pickup plan, and pack towels, sun protection, swimwear, and a charged phone. With those details settled, this has the makings of one of the more comfortable ways to see the water around Stone Town.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran experience last?

The experience title refers to five hours, while the full tour information describes approximately eight hours. Confirm the exact duration and schedule with the operator before booking.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Star Tours Zanzibar, listed near the Cape Town Fish Market restaurant in Stone Town.

Where does the tour end?

The catamaran returns to the original meeting point at the end of the activity.

How many people can join the private yacht?

The yacht accommodates up to 12 people, and only your private group participates.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, with catering available for meat, seafood, vegetarian, and vegan preferences. Dietary needs and allergies should be provided before the charter.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, soft drinks, beer, and wine are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the experience.

Is the Prison Island entry fee included?

No. The entry fee for the Prison Island tortoise sanctuary is not included.

Should I bring a towel?

Yes. You are asked to bring your own towel.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You will be offered another date or a full refund if poor weather causes the operator to cancel. Free cancellation by you is available up to 24 hours before the start time.