Changuu Island

Changuu Private Island Paradise, also called Prison Island is a Small Paradise on Earth, with its white sand beach, dense forest, pristine waters and coral reef. Prison Island, once a Quarantine Station, is a heaven for rare bird species and Aldabra Giant tortoises.

The Island lies 8 kilometres to the northwest of Stone Town, oblong in shape and about 800m by 400m at the broadest part.

This island is, and was originally owned by a wealthy Arab who used it as a detention centre for disobedient slaves. After the abolition of slavery, in 1873, the island was bought by general Lloyd Mathews, commander of the sultan's army, who built a house here. In 1893 a prison was built on the island, but it was used instead as a quarantine station for the whole East African region.

Today, Changuu has restored these historical buildings to make them living structures, adapted to new uses while preserving their authenticity. The Prison ruins have now been converted into a bright living structure, offering a host of entertainment facilities, such as a café, boutique and library. The Mathews house, know a Restaurant is an artfully restored building with its wide veranda where you can enjoying the sea breeze, while you overlook the swimming pool.

The island's highlight is the large number of giant tortoises. Four tortoises were brought from the island of Aldabra in the Seychelles in the 18th century and live and breed since then on Changuu Island. The tortoises are protected in a large sanctuary on the island where you can feed them. A path leads right round the island, passing some old pits where coral has been dug out to make building stone. Some of these pits fill with water at high tide, and in colonial days they were kept clean and used as swimming pools.

For the most romantic breakaway, the cottages built in the north-west of the island offer an unrivalled, luxurious experience; and in the south-west side of the island, the former Quarantine Area built has been converted into elegant sea facing rooms. No day visitors are aloud in these areas.

From the moment of arrival, through the superb jetty, this Five Star Island resort in the heart of the Indian Ocean is a unique experience in life.

Changuu Private Island Paradise has 15 exclusive deluxe rooms at the northwest side of the island, set along the sea-line and roofed with traditional makuti, thus achieving a cool atmosphere day and night. The spacious interiors are elegantly decorated and equipped with mosquito nets and ensuite bathroom with a shower and bathtub. The private outdoor verandas face out to the sea, maximizing the views and sounds of the Ocean. In the southwest side of the island, the former Quarantine Area built has been converted into 12 elegant en-suite standard sea facing rooms that afford the most fantastic views of Stone Town. These room offer ensuite bathrooms with showers only.

This accommodation area is provided with its own charming bar, the Fisherman's Cove. In this untouched natural Paradise, it is possible also to swim in a natural lagoon in the western side of the island, where Sea Turtles can often be seen.

Changuu Private Island Paradise harmoniously combines the display and restoration of the intense history of the islet with its adaptation to modern necessities and facilities. The main building of the island, the so-called Prison Ruins is the main cultural area of the island with an open-air restaurant, entertainment area and a bar.

Candlelight dinners in the piazza facing the restored ruins are the most romantic experience in Changuu Private Island Paradise.  The Mathews' Restaurant features the finest International Cuisine.  The swimming pool is provided with service from the pool bar. The sportive possibilities of the island include a floodlight tennis court in the bush. There is also a library and boutique at the resort.

The Island is fringed with a beautiful coral reef, ideal for snorkeling, and has a lovely white beach for sunbathing.