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Part of the Zanzibar archipelago, Pemba Island offers travellers a more authentic island experience compared to the busier main island, Unguja. While not as developed as the main island, Pemba offers more secluded, tranquil beaches and some of the best diving and snorkelling in the archipelago. The island also has a rich history and cultural heritage, with Swahili ruins and traditional fishing villages.
Top Destinations in Pemba Island
Pemba Island boasts a few spots that are perfect for spotting marine life, hiking, and gaining an insight into the rich history of this region:
Misali Island: Unspoiled Underwater Paradise
Just west of Pemba Island lies a paradise for marine life. The stunning coral reefs here play host to a variety of fish species, while the island itself is a nesting site for green and hawksbill turtles. As it’s a marine conservation area, Misali is perfect for snorkelling and diving. You’ll swim above over 40 types of coral and over 300 species of fish. You may also have the magical opportunity to spot a turtle while in the water.
Pemba Channel: For Big Game Fishing
The Pemba Channel is a 50 km (31 miles) wide, 1,000 m (0.6 miles) deep channel that separates the island of Pemba from mainland Africa and has the highest density of marine mammals in the country. Here you can spot endangered Indian Ocean humpback dolphins, spinner dolphins, and different whale species.
The water here is nutrient rich and attracts a large number of gamefish species, making it a perfect place for big game fishing in Tanzania.
Ngezi Forest Reserve: See the Pemba Flying Fox
Out of the water, Pemba Island is home to a dense forest environment. The Ngezi Forest Reserve is a fantastic place to go on a hike to see flying foxes, an endemic species of the island. This large bat with chestnut-coloured fur plays an essential role in seed distribution in the forest, and during the day groups of them can be found napping upside down in the canopies of trees.
Besides the flying fox, this forest is also home to vervet monkeys, red colobus monkeys, hyraxes, and blue duikers.
Chwaka Ruins: A Glimpse into the Island’s Past
The Chwaka Ruins offer travellers a glimpse into the history of Pemba Island when it was a bustling trading port and place of sultans. This complex of archaeological sites includes remains of houses, mosques, and other structures that show a once-thriving town.
When’s the Best Time to Go to Pemba Island?
The best time to visit Pemba Island is when there is minimal to no rain so that you can enjoy many days on the beach. June to October and January to February are the dry seasons and offer the best weather conditions for diving, snorkelling, and exploring the island.
Animals Found at Pemba Island
As one of the top diving locations in East Africa, Pemba Island is rich in marine life, so you can expect to spot dolphins, sea turtles, and manta rays. Further from the coast, you may be able to see different whale species. Many coral reefs are thriving here, so colourful tropical fish species abound.
In the island’s forest, you can spot the Pemba flying fox as well as monkeys and blue duikers. There are also a number of bird species here, including the African goshawk, palm-nut vulture, green pigeon, scops owl, and malachite kingfisher, to name a few.
How to Get to Pemba Island
By Air
There are daily flights from Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam to Pemba Airport, operated by Coastal Aviation and Auric Air.
By Sea
Ferries are available from Zanzibar, but flights are the most reliable and convenient way to reach the island.
