Pemba Island

Little paradise, lush and green

Pemba Island is pristine, adventurous and fascinating. Enjoy snorkeling, diving, sailing and lazing on the deserted beaches. Pemba Island has a lot to offer. Beautiful beaches, first class diving and snorkeling sites and several historical places. Travelling on Pemba Island is like travelling in an undiscovered area. Besides, you’re approached friendly everywhere you go.
Travel Tips for Mafia Island
  • Although local dhows run to the mainland, flying is the only practical way to get to Mafia. Scheduled and charter flights run regularly from Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar Island, and you should expect to pay around $250 to $350 return. 
  • If you’re going diving, then pick your month carefully. Chole Bay can be dived year-round, but the deeper channels are only viable from August to November. October to February has the best visibility, although it’s rarely below 15m (49ft) at any time of year. 
  • For the best beach conditions, aim for late May to the start of the short rainy season in November. 
  • September to early March is prime whale shark season, so it’s only mid-March to mid-May that should be avoided completely when the island receives most of its rain.