Pemba Island
Pemba Island
Pemba Island • Image 2
Pemba Island • Image 3
Pemba Island • Image 4Pemba Airport (PMA), Chake Chake
Tanzania
Warm and humid, greener than Unguja
Year-round travel
Pemba flying fox (found only on Pemba)
2 key species listed
4 to 7 Nights
Tailored itinerary
Dry months for diving and travel
High & Green seasons
About Pemba Island & Destination Guide
Pemba is Zanzibar's second main island, north of Unguja. It suits divers and travellers who want a quieter island with green hills and clove plantations.
Days here are about the land and the sea: walk through clove plantations, dive on quiet reefs, visit small villages and relax on beaches with few visitors.
The trade-off is that it is less developed than Unguja, with fewer hotels and fewer tours. It takes more planning.
Unguja is our main base. We sell Pemba as a second-island add-on (a flight of about 30 minutes or a ferry of about 2 hours).
Getting Here, Transport & Climate
Fly from Zanzibar to Pemba Airport (PMA) or take a ferry (the crossing takes about 2 hours). We arrange your transfers at both ends.
Private air-conditioned road transfers and scheduled ferry services connect all coastal resorts, towns, and beaches with full luggage assistance.
explorePemba Island Interactive Map & Terrain
Explore the geographic coordinates, boundaries, local airstrips, and surrounding wilderness circuits of Pemba Island.
Weather, Climate & Seasonal Advice
Dry months for diving and travel. Check ferry and flight schedules in the wet season.
Warm and humid, greener than Unguja. Rain in March to May.
Highlights & Wildlife in Pemba Island
petsKey Wildlife & Marine Species
Signature Highlights
Clove plantations
Diving
Quiet beaches
Green hills
Local villages
Activities & Things to Do in Pemba Island
Deep Sea Fishing
You go out early with local fishermen and a crew, past the reef into deeper water, and fish with traditional and modern methods. You are back at the beach by lunchtime, and many guests ask the crew to prepare part of the catch. Catches are never guaranteed, and the sea can be rough. This trip suits guests who are comfortable on a small boat for several hours.
Snorkelling Adventure
A boat takes you to several reef spots where a guide helps you into the water with a mask and fins. You float over coral and reef fish, with time in between to rest on the boat. Choose this trip if you want more than one snorkelling stop. If you want the best known reef, look at Mnemba, and for turtles look at Nungwi.
Sea Kayak Adventure
You paddle with a guide through mangrove channels and along the coast, with stops for snorkelling. The pace is easy, and you can rest on the water when you like. You need to be comfortable in the sea and able to paddle for an hour or more. Tides change the route, so the guide decides where you go.
Jet Ski Safari
You ride a jet ski in a line behind a guide along the coast, with scenic stops and a swim. A safety briefing comes first, and you wear a life vest the whole time. Jet skis are fast and need care. Only the guide chooses the route, and age and licence rules apply.
Parasailing Adventure
A boat tows you in a parasail high above the sea for views of the coast. You can fly alone or as a tandem pair. A crew member fits the harness and explains the launch and landing. The flight itself is short, and the trip depends on wind and sea conditions. Weight and age limits apply.
Local Village Experience
You visit a village with a local guide and spend time with a family, take part in simple cooking and walk through the lanes, fields and the shore. You see how people farm, fish and cook, and you eat together. Ask before taking photos of people, and dress modestly. Choose this tour if you want real daily life and not a show [VERIFY: which village and family we work with].
Half Day Island Tour
This tour gives you a quick overview of the island: a beach, a village and some scenic stops, all by car with a guide. It is a good first day or a flexible day when you want something easy. It is a sampler, so it does not go deep into one place. If you have a full day, look at the north, east or south coast tours.
Full Day Beach Hopping
You visit several beaches on the north and east coasts in one day, for example Nungwi, Kendwa and Paje, with time to swim and have lunch. A driver and guide take you from beach to beach. The honest trade-off is the driving: the north and the east are far apart, and you spend part of the day in the car. The tide also changes the east coast, so we plan the order around it.
Featured Safaris & Tours in Pemba Island
Explore our custom travel itineraries for Pemba Island
Request Custom ItineraryFrequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Pemba Island?
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Dry months for diving and travel. Check ferry and flight schedules in the wet season.
How do I get to Pemba Island?
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Fly from Zanzibar to Pemba Airport (PMA) or take a ferry (the crossing takes about 2 hours). We arrange your transfers at both ends.
What is the weather like in Pemba Island?
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Warm and humid, greener than Unguja. Rain in March to May.
What can I see and do in Pemba Island?
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• Clove plantations • Diving • Quiet beaches • Green hills • Local villages
What should I pack for Pemba Island?
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Light, breathable cotton clothing, swimwear, a sun hat, sunglasses, reef-safe sunscreen, insect repellent and comfortable sandals. A light layer helps for breezy evenings. In Stone Town and in villages, clothes that cover shoulders and knees are polite.