Back to Beaches & IslandsPemba Island
Overview & Highlights
Pemba Island — known in Arabic since medieval times as 'Al Jazeera Al Khadra' (The Green Island) — lies 50 km north of Unguja (Zanzibar) across the deep Pemba Channel. Unlike flat coral Unguja, Pemba is a lush, fertile patchwork of rolling hills, ancient Ngezi equatorial rainforest, hidden white-sand coves, and over three million aromatic clove trees (producing 70% of Zanzibar's cloves). Surrounded by vertical coral drop-offs plunging 800 meters into the Pemba Channel, the island offers some of the most exhilarating drift diving and untouched coral walls in the Indian Ocean, alongside ultra-exclusive retreats like the famous underwater room at The Manta Resort on Kigomasha Peninsula.
Highlights & Key Activities
- Drift diving and snorkeling at Misali Island Marine Conservation Area and Njao Gap
- Explore ancient Ngezi-Vumawimbi Forest Reserve to see endemic Pemba flying foxes
- Tour fragrant clove drying mats and 11th-century Swahili ruins at Chwaka and Pujini
- Relax on the untouched powder-white crescent of Vumawimbi Beach
What We Love
- Dramatic deep-water coral wall diving along the 800m Pemba Channel drop-off
- Lush, hilly topography scented with clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon plantations
- Endemic wildlife in Ngezi Forest including the Pemba flying fox and Pemba scops owl
- Secluded white-sand beaches at Vumawimbi and Misali Island Conservation Area
- Iconic luxury eco-resorts including the floating Underwater Room at Kigomasha
Keep in Mind
- Far fewer restaurants and nightlife options than Unguja (Zanzibar)
- Strong currents along outer channel walls are best suited to confident swimmers and divers
Best Things to Do in Pemba Island
Misali Island Coral Reef Dive & Beach Day
Sail by dhow to uninhabited Misali Island, ringed by 42 genera of hard coral, sea turtles, and reef sharks.
Ngezi Rainforest & Endemic Flying Fox Walk
Walk beneath towering tropical hardwoods to observe colonies of giant endemic Pemba flying foxes (Pteropus voeltzkowi).
Clove Plantation & Pujini Citadel Heritage Tour
Experience Pemba's September–December clove harvest and explore the 15th-century fortified ruins of Mkama Ndume at Pujini.
Wildlife & Birds
Wildlife Highlights
- Endemic Pemba flying fox (one of the world's largest fruit bats with a 1.6m wingspan)
- Pemba vervet monkeys, blue duikers, and marsh mongooses in Ngezi Forest
- Manta rays, Napoleon wrasse, spinner dolphins, and green sea turtles offshore
Animal Abundance Index
Pemba Flying Fox
AbundantVervet Monkeys
CommonBlue Duikers
CommonGreen Turtles
AbundantDolphins
AbundantManta Rays
OccasionalHumpback Whales
OccasionalBird Watching
165+ SpeciesFour island bird species exist nowhere else on Earth: the Pemba scops owl, Pemba green pigeon, Pemba sunbird, and Pemba white-eye.
Best Time & Climate
June to October and December to March offer crystal-clear 30–40m underwater diving visibility and sunny beach days.
☀️ Dry Season
June to October & December to March — Best underwater visibility and dry forest trails.
🌧️ Wet Season
April to May — Heavy monsoon rains; many beach lodges close until June.
Monthly Visitor Guide
Lush equatorial island climate with warm days (27–31°C / 81–88°F) and refreshing sea breezes.
Climate Chart (Temperature & Rainfall)
Getting There
Daily 30-minute flights connect Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ) and Dar es Salaam (DAR) with Pemba Airport (PMA) near Chake Chake.
Driving Routes Matrix
| Route From | Distance (km) | Est. Time | Road Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pemba Airport (Chake Chake) to Kigomasha / Ngezi | 62 km | 1 hrs 30 mins | Paved road through hilly clove forests to Konde, then sandy peninsula track |
✈️ Air Travel & Local Airstrips
Multiple daily scheduled flights via Auric Air, Coastal Aviation, and Flightlink from Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, Tanga, and Arusha.
Safety, Malaria & Guidelines
Operational Advisory
Always obey local safety parameters, environmental codes of conduct, and instructions from park rangers or guides.
Pemba is serene, deeply traditional, and exceptionally safe. Visitors should dress modestly when visiting Chake Chake town, Wete, or rural spice villages.
🦟 Malaria & Health Advisory
Malaria is present in most wildlife reserves in Tanzania. It is strongly recommended to consult a travel clinic for antimalarial prescription. Use mosquito repellent containing DEET and wear light-colored, long-sleeved clothes in the evening.
Recommended Safari Tours Visiting Pemba Island
4 Days • luxuryFrom $2,660/pp4-Day Safari - High-End
If you only have 4 days but still want to visit the most famous parks of Tanzania (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Manyara or Tarangire), this is the perfe...
6 Days • luxuryFrom $2,870/pp6-Day Mid-Luxury Private Wildlife Safari & Walking Tour
On this 6-day safari, you will experience the best that Tanzania has to offer, including 2 nights in the Serengeti, home to over 3 million animals. Yo...
5 Days • luxuryFrom $2,562/pp5-Day Luxury Splendor of Tanzania's Grand Wild Safari
Embark on a 5-day journey through Tanzania's untamed beauty. Experience the epitome of luxury in the renowned Serena Hotels across Serengeti, Ngorongo...
5 Days • luxuryFrom $3,330/pp5-Day Living Among Lions - Luxury (with Four Seasons)
This is one of our most popular tours as it allows you to spend a very reasonable amount of time in the Serengeti (2 nights). You'll still have the ch...
TripAdvisor Traveler Reviews
Traveler reviews:
1. 'Diving off Misali Island and Kigomasha Peninsula was world-class — crystal visibility, pristine gorgonian sea fans, Napoleon wrasse, and zero other dive boats!' (Rating: 5/5, Date: October 2026)
2. 'Walking through the ancient Ngezi Forest among endemic Pemba flying foxes and vervet monkeys, followed by a sunset dhow cruise from Fundu Lagoon, was pure magic.' (Rating: 5/5, Date: August 2026).
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