According to Allcitycodes, Pemba is located 50 km north of Zanzibar and is also famous for its extensive spice plantations. The strait of the same name, which separates the island from the continent, is considered the best place for deep-sea fishing: the catch here is the richest in East Africa. Beautiful reefs and a diverse underwater world are included.
Most of the island is not suitable for a beach holiday, but those areas that have been turned into equipped beaches are considered among the best in the country. The most famous beach is the white coral sand of Wumavimbi, stretching for 2 km. The island itself is not particularly popular in terms of tourism – the entire infrastructure is in a somewhat “rudimentary state”, there are also few hotels. But what is there cannot be taken away: wild unexplored places, rainforests, native villages, beautiful nature and the underwater world.
Transport
Regular buses run between the three main cities of the island. There is no taxi, but you can rent a jeep in the town of Chaki-Chaki (Chake Chake, here is the only airport on the island that receives flights from Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam). The best way to get around Pemba is by bike, which can be rented at almost every hotel.
Entertainment and attractions of Pemba
10 km from Chaki-Chaki are the ruins of the ancient fortification of Pugini, which date back to the 15th century. An underground tomb with bizarre wall ornaments was excavated here. Also of interest is Cape Ras Mkumbu, where archaeologists have found the remains of an ancient Swahili settlement of the 11th century.
The primeval forest of Ngezi with lush vegetation, giant trees and ferns. On the eastern coast of the island there are archaeological excavations and the Misheveni baobab forest. Another ethnic-style entertainment is a dhow (a wooden boat with a triangular slanting sail) or a pirogue along the bays or to small islands with a barbecue of lobsters, fruits and spices.
Diving in Pemba
Pemba is a real diving treasure of Tanzania. The main dive sites of the island are located on the east coast because the reefs are more beautiful and the marine life is more diverse. You can book dives or safaris with Swahili Divers or Manta Reef operators, who also organize courses and issue PADI and BSAC certificates. Here you can find: groupers, pipefish, fusiliers, bulleyes, giant barracudas and hammerheads. In 1969, the Greek merchant ship Paraportiani sank near the island. Crabs, corals and galls are found here.
The most popular dive site is Mant Point, where you can see flocks of rays. Diving depth 10 m, visibility – 40 m. The large flat reef of Samaki is known for the most beautiful corals and extremely rich underwater fauna: lobsters, octopuses and moray eels, surgeonfish and fusiliers. In addition, coral gardens await divers on the west coast, and amazing drift diving can be found in the marine reserve around Misali Island. Also next to this island is the Big Blue reef, which is especially interesting for experienced divers: great depth, strong undercurrent, excellent visibility and reef sharks, barracudas, giant rays. The unusual Makarere reef on the southwestern border of Misali is also interesting, which is a group of coral hills with a densely populated underwater world. In addition, humpback whales migrate past the island from July to August.
