Islands Guide
Pemba Island
Quick answer
Is Pemba Island worth visiting?
Pemba is worth it if you come for what it is: the quieter, greener second island of the Zanzibar archipelago, known for wall diving and clove farms rather than beach life. Coastal Aviation flies Zanzibar–Pemba every day, nonstop in 25–30 minutes, for USD 100 plus USD 30 in taxes. Plan two to four nights; a day trip does not do it justice.
| Flight from Zanzibar | 25–30 min nonstop, daily (Coastal Aviation) |
| Fare | USD 100 plus USD 30 taxes, adult |
| Ferry | Azam Marine sails to Pemba; see its own timetable |
| Best for | Diving and a quieter island |
| Visa | The Tanzania visa covers it (USD 50) |
| Nights | Two to four |
| Last verified | 2 October 2026 |
The island
Is Pemba Island worth visiting?
Pemba is the second island of the Zanzibar archipelago, north of Unguja, the island most people mean by Zanzibar. It is greener and quieter, with fewer visitors and a slower pace, and it is known for two things: diving, and the clove farms that have shaped its countryside for generations.
It is worth the trip if those are your reasons. It is not the place for a beach-club holiday, and the infrastructure is simpler than on Unguja. Most guests who enjoy it come with a purpose, usually diving, and pair it with beach days elsewhere. Our head chef, Saleh, grew up there.
Getting there
How do you get to Pemba from Zanzibar?
By air, most simply. Coastal Aviation flies Zanzibar–Pemba every day: nonstop in 25–30 minutes, or in the morning via Tanga in about 1h05. The adult fare is USD 100 plus USD 30 in taxes and charges. Pemba Airport is run by the Zanzibar Airports Authority. By sea, Azam Marine includes Pemba in its routes; check its own timetable and fares before you plan around it.
| Option | Time | Price | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal Aviation, nonstop | 25–30 min | USD 100 + USD 30 taxes, adult | Daily |
| Coastal Aviation, via Tanga | About 1h05 | USD 100 + USD 30 taxes, adult | Daily, morning |
| Azam Marine ferry | See the operator's timetable | See the operator's fares | See the operator |
Airline fares from Coastal Aviation's own timetable (valid to 31 May 2027, updated July 2026); ferry details only from the operator.
Underwater
What is Pemba good for?
Diving first. Pemba is the archipelago's island for experienced divers: wall dives where the reef drops away and the current carries you, and the protected reefs around Misali Island off the west coast. Many of these dives are drift dives, so check with the dive centre what experience and certification it requires. For snorkelling and first dives closer to the beach, our snorkelling and diving guide covers Zanzibar.
On land, Pemba is clove country: farms, villages and forest, explored with a local guide. Dress modestly away from your lodge: the UK government notes a high proportion of Muslims in Zanzibar and Pemba and that shorts or sleeveless tops away from the resorts may cause offence.
Nights
How many nights does Pemba need?
Two to four. One night barely covers the flights and transfers; two give you a full day; three or four give divers enough days to choose the sea. If you plan the ferry instead of the flight, the UK government advises not to board a ferry that looks overloaded or not seaworthy, and to learn the emergency procedures on board. For the visa and insurance, Pemba counts as Zanzibar: You need one policy, for the place you land first: land on Zanzibar first and you buy the Zanzibar insurance (ZIC, USD 44 per adult, USD 22 per child aged 3–17); land on the mainland first and, since 1 October 2026, you buy the mainland’s NIC (USD 44), which also counts on Zanzibar. Either covers up to 92 days.
For more than one extra island, see Tanzania island hopping; for whale sharks further south, Mafia Island. Our entry requirements guide covers the arrival rules.
The beach half
How do you combine Pemba with the south-east coast?
Pemba for the diving, then the beach to rest. Fly back to Zanzibar and drive about 65 km, 1h15, to Michamvi Pingwe on the south-east coast, where the tide sets the day: the full swim off the beach is the 2–4 hours around high tide, and at low tide the channel to the Mchanga sandbank keeps its water. Michamvi Pingwe explains the peninsula; rooms at Matlai start at USD 535 a night with half board.
Where these facts come from
Official sources
- Coastal Aviation: timetable and price list (updated July 2026): The daily Zanzibar–Pemba flights, their times and fares.
- Zanzibar Airports Authority: The authority that runs Pemba Airport.
- Azam Marine & Kilimanjaro Fast Ferries: The ferry operator’s own routes, including Pemba.
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: Tanzania safety and security: Ferry safety between the islands and the dress code on Zanzibar and Pemba.
Checked on 2 October 2026. We link to the bodies that set the rules, not to summaries of them. Rules change: check the page itself before you travel.
Good to know
Questions travellers ask
What guests ask us when they consider adding Pemba to a Zanzibar trip.
Can I visit Pemba as a day trip from Zanzibar?
Not sensibly. The flight is short, 25–30 minutes nonstop, but with the transfers at both ends a day trip leaves little time on the island. Two to four nights let you dive or explore at Pemba's pace.
How do I get from Zanzibar to Pemba?
By air with Coastal Aviation, daily: nonstop in 25–30 minutes, or via Tanga in the morning in about 1h05, for USD 100 plus USD 30 taxes per adult. Azam Marine also sails to Pemba; check its own timetable. Pemba Airport is run by the Zanzibar Airports Authority.
Do I need a separate visa or insurance for Pemba?
No separate visa: Pemba is part of Zanzibar and Tanzania, so the Tanzania visa (USD 50) covers it. For the mandatory insurance: You need one policy, for the place you land first: land on Zanzibar first and you buy the Zanzibar insurance (ZIC, USD 44 per adult, USD 22 per child aged 3–17); land on the mainland first and, since 1 October 2026, you buy the mainland’s NIC (USD 44), which also counts on Zanzibar. Either covers up to 92 days.
Is Pemba good for diving?
Pemba is the archipelago's island for experienced divers: wall dives in current and the reefs around Misali Island. Book with a licensed dive centre and check what certification its current dives require. Our snorkelling and diving guide covers Zanzibar's own reefs.
Is the ferry to Pemba safe?
Choose a reputable operator and judge the boat yourself. The UK government notes that there have been ferry disasters between the islands of Zanzibar in recent years, and advises not to board a ferry that looks overloaded or not seaworthy, and to learn the emergency procedures on board.
How should I dress on Pemba?
Modestly away from your lodge. The UK government notes a high proportion of Muslims in Zanzibar and Pemba, and that shorts or sleeveless tops away from tourist resorts may cause offence; the Zanzibari authorities can fine you for clothing they consider inappropriate.
Your stay at Matlai
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Why guests book Matlai
- Your own butler, 07:00 to 22:00. One message and it is arranged.
- Half board with a chef’s menu that changes daily: three courses, plus two à la carte kitchens at every table, Zatiny (Indian Ocean fusion) and Duyên (Vietnamese).
- Dine where you like: in the restaurant, in the garden or on your own balcony. A private table by the beach or a candlelight dinner can be arranged at an extra charge.
- Six rooms in two villas, a pool for each villa, shared by its rooms, and every room facing the sunrise over the ocean.
- Bustani, the garden spa; the sandbank in front of the hotel at low tide; a quiet beach lined with small, family-owned hotels.
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