Pemba Island
“Tranquility Diving, Snorkelling & Fishing"
The Pemba Island is small and more natural compared to Zanzibar Island, with a population of 400,000 and a size of 988km square as it is less developed. The capital is Chake Chake. Pemba Island is perfect for a tranquil and authentic island holiday experience. Pemba is a paradise for diving, birdwatching, beach lovers and big game fishing.
The blue and green island offers a green wonderland pleading to be explored but also an underwater renowned as one of the world's diving and snorkelling mecca. Beneath the tropical waters, you will unearth a supernatural world for sea divers and fishermen alike. The aloofness takes you back in time, revealing a glimpse of past marine life before human encroachment. The Pemba channel feeds the surrounding waters with life and lures sea creatures, including reef sharks, turtles, Napoleon wrasse and game fish. If you are a fishing enthusiast, you can embark on a single-day or multi-day deep-sea fishing trip.
Pemba is known as Clove Island because it is the leading exporter of cloves. While vacationing on Pemba island, you can visit a spice farm, see cloves trees, and witness how cloves are turned into essential oils. Pemba's ancient fields and forests are teeming with life. If you are a monkey lover, the island has a red colobus and vervet monkey population. The beaches in Pemba Island are not as easily accessible as in Zanzibar due to the dense mangrove forest. But consider it as a rewarding experience. Boat trips to the island's secret beaches and coves operate throughout the day. It is a unique experience that you won't want to share with many tourists.
Experience Pemba Island
Pemba remains largely ‘undiscovered’ by travellers, and this is part of the island’s appeal. Pemba is often overshadowed by its larger neighbour, Unguja, even though Pemba is hillier and more verdant. Pemba is a hidden masterpiece filled with forests, mangrove swamps, hidden beaches, lagoons, and tidal sandbanks. It is littered with the ruins of mosques and tombs, reminders of the Arab domination of the island in the 17th century.
Pemba’s pristine beauty has been preserved so well due to a lack of awareness about the island. There are few towns and hotels on Pemba, making this destination one for the intrepid traveller. Known as ‘clove island’ due to being the world’s main exporter of cloves (70% of all the world’s cloves are grown in Pemba) the island is also the centre for ju ju traditions of medicine, giving it a reputation as the world’s ‘magic’ island.
Best time to visit Pemba Island
You can visit Pemba during the drier months, January to February and June to October. However, the dry season (June to October) is the best time to visit. The humidity starts to build in September, which can be very unpleasant. There are also a few mosquitos during this period, and you are unlikely to catch malaria.
For diving and snorkelling experiences, August to September are the best months as water clarity is at its highest. If you like fishing, catching the famous billfish will be better between September and March.
If you find hot and humid conditions unpleasant, we suggest you avoid travelling between March and April. The significant advantages are affordable pricing and less crowded. You will have spectacular wildlife sightings and the beach's turquoise waters to yourself.
Getting There.
By Air: There are daily flights to Pemba Island. You can fly from Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, and Arusha. A one-way, non-stop flight between Zanzibar and Pemba Island takes approximately 1- hour.
Chartered flights with Coastal Air or Auric Air flights are the most popular. Most travellers fly to Pemba Island from Unguja Zanzibar with an approximately 30-minute flight time.
By Ferry: The ferry leaves Zanzibar to Pemba on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The departures from Pemba to Zanzibar are on Thursdays and Sundays. Both vessels leave the respective ports at 7 a.m., taking about 5 hours either way. The cost per seat is $ 65 one way.
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