1. Pemba’s prehistory remains veiled in mystery but it is likely that its first inhabitants arrived from the African mainland several thousand years ago. As early as 600 AD the island became a key stop on the Swahili Coast trade route.
Traders from Arabia, India, and China used their deep waters for safe anchorage when they stopped to stock up on spices, gold, ivory, and eventually slaves, all transported to the archipelago from the continent’s interior.
2. Pemba’s proximity to the equator means that temperatures are relatively consistent year-round, however, the best time to travel is during the driest season (June to October). The visibility is best for diving, humidity is at its lowest and malaria-carrying mosquitoes are less numerous.
Pemba is best visited during the dry season from July through to late October. This makes it perfect to add to the end of an East Africa safari. There are a few showers in November time but generally, Pemba is still great all the way through until March.
April and May should be avoided as it is the heavy rains and the lodges actually close during this period.
Pemba Island is one of the top diving and snorkeling locations off the coast of Tanzania with the entire island surrounded by a coral reef, which acts as world-class dive sites, the marine life you could discover is phenomenal.
Between the island and mainland Tanzania, the Pemba Channel shelves off to depths of more than 2,000m, and Pemba is famous for seriously large sea fish, which include barracuda, tuna, shark, and even whales.
This is a glorious African playground for experienced divers. This is a glorious playground for experienced divers. Visibility is generally very good and there are some spectacular pinnacles.
Currents are strong at Pemba so it’s not ideal for first-time divers. If you don’t fancy spending all your time underwater, sunset cruises aboard dhow boats are available and are extremely popular.
There are only three lodges that we sell on Pemba, one is The Manta which is a good value and fairly basic hotel on the north of the island with access to some good diving. The lodge is good fun but very remote and a bit rough around the edges. The beach is probably the best on the island though.
Part of the Manta Resort is their unique underwater room which sits just offshore and allows guests to spend a night underwater with the fish, or star gazing up above on the top deck. It is a popular choice for honeymooners if you don’t mind small spaces and aren’t prone to seasickness!
The other option, at the other end of the price spectrum, is Fundu Lagoon, where the tented rooms are dotted around a hillside on a beach; this is not the best beach on the island but a boat ride can take you out to Misali island where there is a lovely beach with fantastic diving and snorkeling.
