Pemba Island
Pemba Island is one of Tanzania's best kept secrets. Pemba's main attractions include pristine white sand beaches, world-class scuba diving, lush tropical forests, historical tours, and spice plantations. Although Pemba has several world-class attractions, the number of tourists rarely exceeds thirty on any given day, even during high season.

Arabs knew Pemba Island as the "Green Island", named after the lush vegetation and the Island resembles a floating forest. Traveling in Pemba is like traveling in unknown territory. For those seeking an adventure, Pemba is a fascinating and beautiful island to visit. In short…Paradise!

Location
The island is situated about 50 km north of Zanzibar (Unguja) and 50 km east of mainland of Tanzania. Pemba is smaller than Zanzibar but has a hillier landscape, although its highest point is less than 100 metres above sea level. Pemba is the only granitic continental island on the East Coast of Africa.

When to Visit ?
Best time to visit is June-January and best months to dive are September through to April with an average water temp of 28°, but diving is good year round with exception of May.

How to get there ?
Pemba Island can be reached from Kenya or Tanzania. From Zanzibar it is possible to take a hydrofoil crossing or a flight.

Getting around on Pemba Island
Pemba is a small place and getting around is not too difficult provided that you have lots of time and patience. Transport is limited to a few taxis, private cars and the public bus service and beyond this, walking is the only option. The entire island is great for cycling, although you'll need to bring your own bicycle unless you're content with one of the single-speeds available locally. Pemba's three major towns and several of the smaller ones are connected throughout the day by local buses.

Money Matters
There are foreign exchange bureaus in Chake Chake and Wete where you can change cash or travelers cheques.

Communications
You can make telephone calls to the mainland or abroad from the post office or from card phones in the major towns.

Main Towns
Chake Chake
Chake Chake is Pemba's capital (largest town) and is located about half way down the Western coast of the island. At the centre of town are well-defined old quarter, with a traditional market place, fortress and rows of bazaar shops. The town is also the centre through which all the buses and dala-dala's travel.

Wete
Wete is a pleasant town and a good base for exploring northern Pemba. It has the island's second most important port, through which much of its cloves are exported. The people here, like those across the whole of Pemba, are very friendly.

	Kayaking along the mangrove-lined coast in flat-water canoes, passing (or being passed by) locals in their dugouts and dhows, is a great way to get a feel for this sea-based community.
	Hire a speedboat for deep-sea fishing. Go beyond the fringing reefs, and their rods and tackle to haul in tuna, barracuda or (if you're lucky) marlin and sailfish.
	Excursions are commonly undertaken to the ancient forest of Ngezi, for a walk through the lush vegetation with its giant trees, ferns and endemic species.
	A minibus or a motorcycle ride along the East coast to visit the archaeological sites and the baobab forest of Micheweni is a popular tourist activity.
	Bird watching is particularly intriguing with some species said to be found only on Pemba. At dusk, the Carmine Bee-Eaters dart and swoop, twist and dive, tucking wings missile-like to seize in mid-air the insects of the evening.
	Not to be missed is a dhow or pirogue excursion to the creeks or to small islands.
	Pemba waters provide divers and snorkels with a once in a lifetime experience. Thousands of species of fish and coral thrive in the warm tropical waters of the Indian Ocean.
	Spice plantation tours can be arranged to Pemba's clove and spice plantations. During a spice tour, expect to see cloves, lemongrass, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, black pepper and vanilla. After the spice tour, visit the essential oil distillery to see how spices are made into oil.

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