Pemba Island: diving, clove forests and how to get there from Zanzibar (2026)
Pemba is the second large island of the Zanzibar archipelago, north of Unguja, greener, hillier and far less visited. People come for diving on the walls of the Pemba Channel, for snorkelling at Misali, for the clove plantations and for the quiet. From Stone Town you can take a ferry (sources give anywhere from 1 h 30 to 4 h depending on operator and sea) or a small plane from Zanzibar or Dar es Salaam. The prices below come from booking sites and guides read in October 2026: no recent official source was found, so confirm times and fares before booking.
Highlights
The coast and mangroves at Chake Chake
The island is green and hilly, with mangroves, small harbours and few resorts. Chake Chake, the main town, is the base for markets and excursions.
The fish market at Mkoani
Mkoani is the arrival port for ferries from Zanzibar. Fishermen land their catch there every day, far from the tourist circuit.
Diving in the Pemba Channel
According to a dive guide, the walls of the Pemba Channel attract big fish (grey reef sharks, hammerheads depending on the season), and whale shark season would run from October to February; these figures come from a commercial page, so ask a dive centre before booking.
Misali
A reef islet off Chake Chake, described by Lonely Planet as some of the best snorkelling and diving in East Africa. All visitors pay an admission fee; the day trip with equipment and lunch is sold by hotels and agencies.
The clove trees
Pemba is known for its clove plantations, the most emblematic spice of the archipelago. Plantation visits are arranged on the spot.
Practical info
Tips
- Pemba has little infrastructure: few hotels, few restaurants, few cash machines, so bring cash in Tanzanian shillings and dollars. Only foot passengers board the ferry (no cars). Ferry prices found online range from about 170 to 230 dollars on comparison sites, which look like search averages rather than official fares: ask the ticket office at Stone Town port for the price. For a Misali trip from Chake Chake or Wesha, one site mentions about 50 dollars per person for a package; confirm what is included (boat, entry, lunch, gear). If you mainly want whale sharks, compare with Mafia. To dive near Stone Town without changing island, see diving in Zanzibar.
How to get there
By ferry from Stone Town port to Mkoani (1 h 30 to 4 h depending on the source, from one to several sailings a week depending on the site: confirm the timetable at the port), or by small plane from Zanzibar or Dar es Salaam to Chake Chake airport. For getting around, also see getting around Zanzibar.
Opening hours
Nearby
See on the map →
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