Turtle Sanctuary: Swim with Nature's Wonders

38 Ratings

Zanzibar Island

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Discover the hidden gem of Kuza Cave in Zanzibar. Immerse yourself in the healing freshwater, explore the ancient limestone jungle, and learn about the rich Swahili history. Unforgettable adventure awaits!

Duration: 2 hours

Cancellation: 24 hours

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Highlights

Zanzibar Island - Itinerary.
This is a typical itinerary.
Guests will be picked up from their hotel at either 9:00 am or 12:00 pm, based on their preference, and then transported to the nearby Turtle Sanctuary from their location in Unguja, Zanzibar.
Visitors are invited to discover one of Zanzibar’s best-kept secrets - the Turtle Sanctuary,…

What's Included

Pickup and drop-off
All Fees and Taxes
Transfer waiting charge

What's Not Included

Lunch
All costs of personal nature
Extra Route

Additional Information

Visitors are invited to discover one of Zanzibar’s hidden gems – the Turtles Sanctuary – a distinctive swimming pool located in Unguja, Zanzibar. This exceptional spot offers an opportunity to reconnect with nature, delve into the underground world, and unwind while swimming and capturing photos with turtles and stunning birds overhead. The experience…

Location

Zanzibar Island

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

4.2

(38 Ratings)

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1 star

Katrin_m

Oct 29, 2025

Should definitely make - It was a very great event and very well organized .Also the round trip transport.The turtles are beautiful

Review provided by Viator

Karen

Sep 26, 2025

Good turtle feeding experience - You get to Salaam caves, they give you seaweed, and you go down steps into the caves where there are turtles in the water, you get in the water with them and you hand feed them the seaweed, It’s great fun but you only have 30 mins with them which goes by to quick, try to get there early before to many people turn up, When you come out there is changing facilities and a shower so you can change your clothes which is good. Also shop and restaurant there to have a drink and take in the views,

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Sherryl

Aug 22, 2025

A different experience, fun and calming. - Our excursion guide was on time and very pleasant. He pointed out different sites during our ride to the caves and explained what to expect.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Jan 11, 2026

Impressive but unnatural experience - I visited the turtle sanctuary and it was a nice experience, but not entirely satisfying. The turtles are divided into three pools and the most engaging part is definitely the fact that you can go into the water with them. Seaweeds are provided to give to the turtles, so they get very close and swim all around, making the moment suggestive. That said, it’s fair to point out that some people have been bitten, probably from food-related excitement, so a little attention is needed. What also puzzled me the most is that turtles are not in a natural environment, but in an artificial space created by man, which takes away some of the authenticity of the experience. Overall it is an interesting visit, especially for those who want close contact with turtles, but personally I expected something more natural.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

508angeliquev

Jan 20, 2026

Tourist trap - Very nice to see the turtles! But it didn't feel right, when we heard they were trapped and saw so many people go into the water and feed and touch them. So this itself did not go!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Amiya_f

Jan 10, 2026

Did not enjoy but turtles are beautiful - The experience appears like it could be nice but they do not moderate how many people go at each time slot. We went at 12 and it was crowded and chaotic. We waited a long time and then people kept yelling and overreacting in the water. There is only one way in/out of the cave and one stair case in/out of the water and it was not managed well. People throw their seaweed food and if it floats to close to you, you could get bit. We did not stay long and did not enjoy it but the turtles are beautiful.

Review provided by Viator

Acjmlc

Jan 3, 2026

Captive turtles. Must be a joke. Lousy. - You get to a place where there are a lot of people queuing up to go down very narrow stairs and reach a cave where there are quite a few turtles. In my opinion, you captivate, inside a natural pool and share a very small space with 20:00 to 30 people who push to reach the water. I personally felt sorry for the poor turtles. I certainly didn’t pay to go down to see those turtles and went to the Hotel thinking it was still a joke, in fact, in my opinion, this is a case of animal abuse. I can't understand that this attraction has such fame when any zoo would have the animals in better shape.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Orrins2014

Mar 1, 2026

Please do not pay to see turtles in these prisons. - I have just completed 25 scuba diving trips in the north and south of Zanzibar and I only saw one turtle. I found out this is because they have all been stollen from the sea and put in various aquariums around the island and used for profit. Some of these aquariums say they are all about conservation and charge a lot of money to see them. They even charge people to help release they. The turtles will be caught again and put back in the aquariums. I asked at the door of the Nungwi aquarium if I can go in and swim with them, they said you can do what you like with them. I was so shocked by this, I never went in. I met Chinese tourists on the beach collecting seaweed to feed the turtles. These people paid a lot of money to be with the turtles and to release some on a certain date. If you love turtles please do not go in these so called turtle sanctuarys. Go see them in the sea where they belong. Your money is paying for them to be imprisoned.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Andrea

Jan 29, 2026

Captive turtles: disappointing experience - The attraction is to go down very narrow stairs to a small cave where there are some turtles. The space is tiny and is shared with about twenty people who crowd to get into the water. The situation seemed disrespectful to me and the turtles appeared clearly disturbed. I went straight back up: in my opinion this is a real case of animal abuse. I don't understand how this place can be so famous, when even a simple zoo would guarantee better conditions.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Companion45888126177

Aug 22, 2025

A truly horrible experience as a defender of animal rights and against their abuse. Many - A truly horrible experience as a defender of animal rights and against their abuse. Many people complained that more turtles had bitten them, a normal reaction if they are stressed in a small pool full of people. Moreover, the team working there is aggressive and rude.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Check Availability

From $55

up to 15 guests

1 - Adult