At Ras Nungwi, the northernmost point of Zanzibar, the coral rock is pierced by natural pools that fill and drain with the tide. Since the 1990s the village has used the largest of them as a sanctuary for sea turtles — mostly green and hawksbill — that have been caught in fishing nets or hatched on local beaches.
The Mnarani Marine Turtles Conservation Pond (mnarani means “place of the lighthouse”) is the original and most conservation-focused; a second lagoon nearby, Baraka, offers a similar visit. Animals are kept until they are judged fit and large enough, then released into the sea.
Top things to do at Nungwi Turtle Lagoon
Feed the turtles
Visitors are given seaweed to offer the turtles from the edge of the pool. Staff explain the species, their life cycle and the threats they face.
Swim alongside them — or not
Some lagoons allow you to get in the water. If you do, do not touch, hold or ride the animals, and wash off sunscreen first. Watching from the side is the lower-impact choice.
Walk round the point
The lighthouse (not open to visitors) and the dhow builders are a few minutes’ walk away. A guided half-day strings them together.
How to get to Nungwi Turtle Lagoon
- From Kendwa: about 15 minutes by taxi to the lighthouse end of Nungwi.
- On a tour: guided visits include transport and are easy to book at short notice.
Insider tips
- Entry is a modest fee in cash that goes towards running the project.
- Ask about the annual release if you are visiting early in the year — the dates vary.
- Combine it with lunch in Nungwi; the visit itself takes under an hour.
Best tours & tickets for Nungwi Turtle Lagoon
These well-reviewed experiences are the simplest way to see Nungwi Turtle Lagoon from a Kendwa base:
Wildlife from $19 Zanzibar: Nungwi Turtle Aquarium Guided Half-Day Trip
A guided visit to the turtle lagoon at the tip of Nungwi, ten minutes up the road from Kendwa, where sea turtles are looked after before being released. Short, inexpensive and a reliable hit with younger travellers.
- See and feed rescued sea turtles
- Learn how the lagoon’s rehabilitation work is done
- An easy outing with children
