Pemba Island, Zanzibar (2024) - Images, Timings

Pemba Island, Zanzibar Overview

Pemba Island is a secluded and lesser-known spot, located 50 kilometres north of Zanzibar in Chake Chake town. This hilly island, 42 miles long and 14 miles wide, features dense forests, mangrove swamps, hidden beaches, lagoons, and tidal sandbanks. Pemba’s clear waters and vibrant coral gardens make it a great spot for diving, with the added attraction of an annual whale migration in July and August.

Known as the 'clove island,' Pemba is a major exporter of cloves and is nicknamed the "green island" due to its fertility. It has a rich cultural history, with juju traditions of medicine, and remnants of mosques and tombs from Arab domination in the 17th century. Besides its natural beauty and cultural heritage, Pemba offers various activities like exploring archaeological sites, visiting spice farms and Kidike Flying Fox Sanctuary, and enjoying scuba diving and deep-sea fishing, making it a versatile destination for adventure and cultural experiences.

How to Get There

Getting to Pemba Island is a bit tricky due to limited transportation options. There's only one main road across the island.

By Air: If you're flying, Pemba Airport is about 7 kilometres from Chake Chake, and local airlines like Coastal Air or Auric Air offer daily flights to Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam, taking around 30 minutes from Zanzibar.
By Ferry: Another option is taking a ferry, but be aware it can be rough and uncertain. Azam Marine is a reliable ferry service, connecting Pemba to Dar es Salaam via Stone Town in Zanzibar and Tanga on the Tanzanian mainland. Trips take seven hours from Dar es Salaam (costing $75), five hours from Stone Town ($35), and two hours to Tanga ($35). Keep in mind that these ferries don't run every day, so check their schedules and expect some delays.

If you arrive at the airport or ferry port, your resort can usually arrange a pick-up for you.

Getting Around on Pemba Island

Getting around Pemba Island can be a bit tricky because there's only one main road that doesn't reach all the places you might want to go.

Many people choose to rent a bike from their hotel, and it usually costs around $10 per day.
If you don't want to bike, there are buses and dala dalas (buses that wait until they're full before leaving, without a set schedule) that go between towns, but they don't have much space for luggage.
Not many people rent cars because the island is small. Instead, most folks hire a driver from a taxi stand or book a tour through their hotel. It typically costs around $50-$70 for a car and driver for the day, and the driver will take you to the places you want to visit.
You can also rent motorbikes in Chake Chake.

Most activities and transportation on Pemba are organized by hotels