Pemba Island lies about 50 km north of Unguja, Zanzibar’s main island, and is the second-largest island in the Zanzibar Archipelago at roughly 988 sq km. Hillier and greener than Unguja, Pemba has a distinct identity built on centuries of Swahili trade, Omani Arab settlement, and, above all, cloves.
The island at a glance
- About 988 sq km, roughly 50 km north of Unguja
- Home to around 3.5 million clove trees, the highest concentration anywhere in the Zanzibar Archipelago
- Predominantly Muslim, with a distinct Waswahili, Shirazi and Omani Arab-influenced culture
- Separated from mainland Tanzania by the Pemba Channel, a deep 50-km waterway known for game fishing
History and cloves
Pemba’s Swahili trading settlements, including the historic town of Chwaka, flourished from around the 11th century into the early 1500s, part of the wider Indian Ocean trading network that shaped the whole East African coast. Omani Arab settlers later established clove plantations that remain central to the island’s economy today, alongside rice, coconut and cassava farming.
Diving
Pemba is considered one of East Africa’s best diving destinations, known for steep coral drop-offs, largely untouched reef systems and abundant marine life in waters far less visited than Zanzibar’s main island. The surrounding Pemba Channel is also a well-regarded game fishing ground along the Swahili coast.
Things to do
- Diving along Pemba’s coral walls and drop-offs
- Game fishing in the Pemba Channel
- Visiting clove plantations and learning about the island’s spice trade history
- Exploring historic Swahili trading sites such as Chwaka
Practical information
- Reached by scheduled flights from Zanzibar or Dar es Salaam, or by ferry from Unguja
- Year-round warm coastal climate, with the wettest months typically March to May
- Accommodation is more limited than Zanzibar, suiting travelers who want a quieter, less developed island
Pemba offers world-class diving and genuine Swahili culture away from Zanzibar’s crowds. Offmap Safaris can combine it with a Stone Town or Mafia Island stay. To start planning, visit Plan My African Safari, message us on WhatsApp at +256 701 243 304, or email [email protected]. See also our notes on health and safety and visa and entry requirements.
