Pemba Island
Pemba Island
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5.0
164 reviews
Excellent
133
Very good
25
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
2
cliffandjo
Wroughton, UK682 contributions
Nov 2022
Stayed at the Ayana. Rooms are OK, Food is great. Bar not so good due to poor selection of goods. Not a great approach to the hotel. Lovely staff. I suppose one has to understand that this is a little bit of raw Africa but people are coming and as such it needs a bit of TLC. Just simple things would make a huge difference. Wifi needs sorting and needs to be free. A little more attention. to some details that would just tip the scales. It is rated 4 star but with just a little more of a push this could easily be 5 star. Lovely location, nice clean beach in front of the hotel. Really should affiliate with the best dive centre on the island being Afro Divers. Its a huge mistake NOT to promote the best dive centre on an Island that is blessed with the most incredible Macro diving. All in all 8/10 for the facility. 12/10 for the staff.
Written 8 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DreamOcean
Jackson Hole, WY403 contributions
Nov 2010 • Couples
Pemba is a very special place with a vibe that you just can't seem to find anymore these days. Unlike its sister island to the south (Zanzibar), there is barely any infrastructure for tourism and people go about their life as normal and don't hustle tourists. While you can take a slow ferry from Zanzibar, I think it's worth the extra money to fly via Zanair or Coastal (the views from above are stunning in itself- try to go at least 1 way on domestic airplane).
Some interesting things to do as highlights- an afternoon/ early evening bird watching in the Ngezi Forest (with Yussuf from Konde- he will show you all of Pemba's endemic bird species within hours, including the Pemba Scop's Owl). Kigomasha lighthouse at the northern tip is beautiful (only $2 to climb up and the lighthouse keeper Ali Juma can give you the history in English, German, Italian, French or Swahili!).
You can do excursions based in Chake but it takes a LONG time (1.5 hour) to get to the north (and also to the far south), so better off being based at a real hotel/resort catering to quality tourism (there are only a handful so far: super posh Fundu Lagoon in the south, lovely eco Pemba Lodge on an island in the south, Swahili Divers in the north and charming/ personable The Manta resort in the north). There are lots of beautiful ruins which aren't kept well and are difficult to reach. A cute museum in Chake Chake depicting the history and Swahili culture. Near the port of Wete there are trees with colonies of hanging giant fruit bats (called Pemban Flying Foxes for their size) sleeping- would be amazing to watch them in the evening/night. Good chances of seeing Vervet monkeys there as well.
I did run into some other tourists who were trying to do the backpacking scene- they had mixed results, I think partly because they expected it to be so easy and readily available like Zanzibar. But also partly because they weren't willing to spend the $$ for a truly different island scene/adventure. I did hear stories of tourists who booked with local guides in Chake or Wete getting over charged for things because there aren't many tourists and everyone wants a share… but the true Pembans in the rural areas are generally friendly and honesty (if shy). Don't expect many to speak English though!
I would recommend staying at one of the more developed hotels/resorts on the water instead of staying in town - it will be more expensive, but make your trip more unforgettable.
I sincerely hope that Pemba stays genuine and adventurous so that it gets the "good" type of tourists who can appreciate a place for what it is and not try to have it become just another tourist place on a gorgeous island! LOVED it!
Some interesting things to do as highlights- an afternoon/ early evening bird watching in the Ngezi Forest (with Yussuf from Konde- he will show you all of Pemba's endemic bird species within hours, including the Pemba Scop's Owl). Kigomasha lighthouse at the northern tip is beautiful (only $2 to climb up and the lighthouse keeper Ali Juma can give you the history in English, German, Italian, French or Swahili!).
You can do excursions based in Chake but it takes a LONG time (1.5 hour) to get to the north (and also to the far south), so better off being based at a real hotel/resort catering to quality tourism (there are only a handful so far: super posh Fundu Lagoon in the south, lovely eco Pemba Lodge on an island in the south, Swahili Divers in the north and charming/ personable The Manta resort in the north). There are lots of beautiful ruins which aren't kept well and are difficult to reach. A cute museum in Chake Chake depicting the history and Swahili culture. Near the port of Wete there are trees with colonies of hanging giant fruit bats (called Pemban Flying Foxes for their size) sleeping- would be amazing to watch them in the evening/night. Good chances of seeing Vervet monkeys there as well.
I did run into some other tourists who were trying to do the backpacking scene- they had mixed results, I think partly because they expected it to be so easy and readily available like Zanzibar. But also partly because they weren't willing to spend the $$ for a truly different island scene/adventure. I did hear stories of tourists who booked with local guides in Chake or Wete getting over charged for things because there aren't many tourists and everyone wants a share… but the true Pembans in the rural areas are generally friendly and honesty (if shy). Don't expect many to speak English though!
I would recommend staying at one of the more developed hotels/resorts on the water instead of staying in town - it will be more expensive, but make your trip more unforgettable.
I sincerely hope that Pemba stays genuine and adventurous so that it gets the "good" type of tourists who can appreciate a place for what it is and not try to have it become just another tourist place on a gorgeous island! LOVED it!
Written 17 July 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maria da Luz F
Portugal73 contributions
Sept 2018 • Friends
We decided to travel to Pemba Island, the Green Island, because we love untouched nature.
We hired a local guide, Khamis Fereji, and we strongly recommend it!
He is very kind, he takes care about all details, he even cooks for his clients.
He also is fluent in English and Italian.
We spent three lovely days with him - he guided us through a Spice Tour, he took us to Misali Island (amazing!) and visited a State owned distillery (where one can buy different essential oils).
Asante sana, Khamis!
We hired a local guide, Khamis Fereji, and we strongly recommend it!
He is very kind, he takes care about all details, he even cooks for his clients.
He also is fluent in English and Italian.
We spent three lovely days with him - he guided us through a Spice Tour, he took us to Misali Island (amazing!) and visited a State owned distillery (where one can buy different essential oils).
Asante sana, Khamis!
Written 21 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katarina S
Piestany, Slovakia7 contributions
Oct 2012 • Couples
What makes Pemba such a great destination is the friendliness of locals. Very traditionoal, 100 % religious so proper clothing for ladies required. Not to many tourists make the effort to come up from Unguja, but the ones that do will get rewarded by many friendly smiles. Diving is overpriced and overrated and we even heard at least 4 distant dynamite explosions while diving in a protected area!
Written 23 November 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kasanungwi
dar es salaam9 contributions
Oct 2011 • Friends
i really recommend you to visit pemba doing a liveaboard you will enjoy from the ocean all the beauty of the island. i went there with julia catamaran on 2011 and never forget that experience. we where diving in mesoli and the dives were amazing . plate coral goes down to 70 meters. Then they we went to have a dinner at mesoli beach with a fire and fresh fish . it was something really special that i will never forget. the boat is really great and the crew is friendly. i give a ten to this way to visit pemba,
Written 5 September 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Experience4780
Muscat, Oman1 contribution
i have visited pemba island april 2004 for 3 days, i admit it must been the most beautiful island i have ever been to. friendly and respectful people and the nature will take you away ( i call it the virgine island) as it has not been ruined by human its a reserved little african paradise.
Written 6 May 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karin
5 contributions
Nov 2018 • Solo
Have been to Pemba for 10 days and can fully recommend Nassor from Coral Tours for anything you might need. Transfers, excursions, flight booking and he even offers accommodation in his home where you can experience a local family and real village life in a friendly environment.
Asante sana Nassor!
Asante sana Nassor!
Written 27 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue C
Toronto197 contributions
Nov 2012
Pemba Island is beautiful, pristine and untouched. But the Pembans are extremely poor so sometimes we felt very intrusive into their lives. Also our expectations as Westerners in most tourist venues (even though we can appreciate basic) was not up to Western standards. In particular, the shortages of water, electricity and refrigeration mean that things are much dirtier than we're used to and that there's a lot more tinned and canned food on offer. Nevertheless, we found a great spot at the Pemba Misali Lodge which was clean, comfortable and had good food and facilities; it was very nice also to go to such an untouched paradise.
Written 16 November 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anja S
26 contributions
Nov 2018 • Couples
We went with Said to the sandbank. It was a perfect trip with nice food and Said is a perfect host. It’s much better to arrange a trip with Said, the trips from the hotels are much more expensive! The number of Said is, +255772270396
Written 24 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Isolde B
13 contributions
Sept 2016
What a dream come true! There is something about being so secluded, in a way it's a risk to the modern mind... :) The risk was all worth it! I had my trip's "moment", when we arrived in the bay of Pemba island on the sail yacht, chartered by Nassor, the owner (we only found out later) :) A mix of baobab and palm trees in the sunset. Magic! The staff was amazing and the food was beautifully fresh from the island and the ocean. Beautiful and spacious bungalows.
Great snorkeling, visiting the local village and beach days I waited for, for so long... No noisiness of any kind, what a treat! 8 days was not enough and I thought it might be too much. Take me back!
Great snorkeling, visiting the local village and beach days I waited for, for so long... No noisiness of any kind, what a treat! 8 days was not enough and I thought it might be too much. Take me back!
Written 5 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello, may I ask about current situation with getting accomodation around Pemba? I dont mean "luxury resorts", but more "normal" places. Is it possible to arrange accomodation on site? Or should i do all the booking online?
Thanks,¨
Jan
Written 18 January 2021
Hi Mary,
how do we get hold of Khamis? Thanks,
Alex
Written 17 November 2018
Hello all,
Can somebody maybe recommend a good diving school at Pemba Island? And good diving spots? We plan to go there mid August 2019.
Thank you!
Best regards,
Kevin
Written 25 October 2018
Hello! We were interested on rent a car from the 20-23 October at Pemba island chake chake airport.
Can anyone help me?
Thanks guys!!!
Ludovica
Written 15 October 2018
ombretta111
Pisa, Italy
Vorrei andare a fine gennaio
Cosa consigliate come viaggio aereo x risparmiare un po'...
Written 1 September 2018
A noi l’aveva programmato l’agenzia del viaggio di nozze. Ci sono diversi charter per Zanzibar. Per Pemba c’è un volo interno in più, ma l’isola è più tranquilla, molto meno turistica rispetto a Zanzibar. Quando prenoto i voli di solito vado sui comparatori e provo a cambiare le date o a usare scali vicini. In questo caso proverei a prendere il volo per Zanzibar e a parte quello per Pemba.
Written 1 September 2018
Ciao stavo pensando di andare a Pemba in novembre, dopo essere stata svariate volte a Zanzibar. Volevo sapere qualcosa riguardo la struttura che vi ha accolto. Siete stati con un tour operator, se si quale?
Grazie mille e se riuscirò ad andare uscerò sicuramente come guida il vostro contatto
Laura
Written 10 August 2018
Hi, please could you tell me if ther is good snorkelling available directly off the beaches around Pemba? I don’t like snorkelling in the deep sea but love to snorkel in shallower waters off the beach. Thanks
Written 11 April 2018
yes you may do,you can visit misali island and snorkeling at the shallow water .
Written 20 September 2018
Hello, just wondering if you felt safe in Pemba? I've been reading about crimes in Stone town, Zanzibar. Was thinking Pemba will be less touristy and safer? If you've been to Stone town as well, can you comment about how safe you felt there as well?
Thanks!
jamie
Written 1 September 2017
Pemba is peaceful island ,refer guide book lonely planet , find a professional tour to brief you about Pemba.
Written 20 September 2018
hi looking go help on how to book the boat from zanzibar to pemba is it possible online? also best beach to stay on or are you best doing the boat trips? thank you
Written 12 November 2016
Please contact to this guy(Pemban) cellphone number +255 777 43 73 97.
Written 5 May 2017
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