Nakupenda Sandbank

Highlights

• Boat out to the sandbank
• Swimming in shallow turquoise water
• Fresh seafood lunch on the sand
• Great for photos and relaxing

From our days out

How the day runs

Times are a guide. Tides, sea conditions and how far your hotel is from the departure point all move them, and we confirm your pick-up the day before.

1. 09:00

   Pick-up and down to the waterfront

   • Hotel pick-up, then to the Stone Town waterfront where the boats leave from.
   • We set the departure around the day's tide, so your exact time is confirmed the evening before.

2. 09:30

   Out to the sandbank

   • Twenty to thirty minutes across the water, with Stone Town's seafront behind you the whole way.

3. 10:00

   The sandbank

   • Swimming, sunbathing and walking the sand. The water is shallow and warm.
   • Snorkelling gear is on board for the reef nearby when conditions suit.

4. 12:30

   Seafood lunch on the sand

   • Grilled fish and seafood, rice, salad and tropical fruit, set out on the sandbank itself.

5. 14:30

   Back to Stone Town

   • Boat back to the waterfront and your transfer to the hotel.
   • Easy to pair with Prison Island in the morning or a Stone Town walk afterwards.

What to bring

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses. There is no shade on a sandbank
• A dry bag for your phone and valuables
• Sandals you can walk into the water with
• A little cash for anything extra

Questions we get asked

Is Nakupenda an island?

No, it is a sandbank. It rises out of the sea as the tide falls and disappears again as it comes back in, which is why the departure time is set by the tide rather than by the clock.

What if the tide covers it while we are there?

It will not catch you out. We plan the trip around the day's tide table so you get the hours when the sand is up, and the crew watch the water throughout.

Can we combine it with Prison Island?

Yes, and it is the combination most guests pick. Prison Island and the tortoises in the morning, the sandbank and lunch after. It makes a full day out of Stone Town.

Is there anywhere to leave our things?

There is no storage on a sandbank and no buildings of any kind. Bring only what you need, keep valuables in a dry bag on the boat, and leave the rest at your hotel.

Is it good for children?

It is one of the easiest days for families. The water is shallow, there is sand to play on, and the boat ride is short. Children need to stay in sight, since the shallow water drops away at the edges of the bank.