Pemba Island is located off the coast of Tanzania just 50 km north of Zanzibar. Isolated from Arab and then European colonization, it has remained completely untouched and unspoiled by any modern development. This sleepy island is an ideal place for a honeymoon or just to relax and unwind!

The Island is surrounded by exotic coral reefs of every form and description, beautiful smaller islands, deep channels and exotic white sandy beaches. Pemba is now listed as one of the top dives spots and offers superb diving opportunities with un-spoilt coral gardens and a vast array of marine life.

The island is also dotted with ruins dating to the 7th century, when Arab traders built permanent mosques to spread Islam. Pemba has been an important trading center along the Swahili coast for 3,000 years and once played a major role in trade with Persian Gulf countries and India.

Activities include traditional dhow sailing trips, which are popular at sunset. Sail around the Island on a wooden dhow; listen to the wind in the sails and the water lapping around the dhow as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean.

Other activities in the Island include:

Diving
Diving off tropical Pemba is among the most spectacular to be found in East Africa. It is characterized by dramatic clear, blue water drop-offs along with pristine shallow reefs. Hard and soft coral gardens are alive with schools of pelagic marine life, mantas, turtles and coral fish.

Ngezi Forest Tour
Ngezi Forest is a beautiful area of natural rain forest full of spectacular trees and is populated by large numbers of birds and vervet monkeys. Ngezi is also home to the Pemba Flying Fox, a bat that is unique to Pemba Island. There are over 250 different bird species of which four are endemic to the area, including the most striking Pemba Sunbird. 

Walking safaris can be arranged in the Ngezi forest which is perfect for the keen birdwatcher.

Whale Shark Watching
Whales can be sighted in the channel or along the coastlines of Kenya and Pemba from July through to September when the season begins and they begin migrating southwards. They arrive along the coast after November and stay until March. You can maximize your chances of seeing the whale sharks by diving or snorkeling across the channel.

Dolphins
There are a number of dolphin types that frequent the area. Boat trips are arranged specifically for the viewing of the dolphins, where you can either watch the dolphins from the boat or dive in and swim with them.

Fishing
Pemba is also famous for its rich fishing grounds. Between the island and the mainland there is the 20 miles wide Pemba channel, which is one of the most profitable fishing grounds for game fishing on the East African coast.