pemba island

Love the landscape with its hills, valleys, forests, beautiful beaches,... Lovely people still very shy. So please do respect their religion and cover up your shoulders and legs when not on the beach. Hate the rubbish lying on the streets in the villages.

People all very welcoming and the island very laid back and easy going. Beautiful place and very un-touristy which was great. Not easy to get to but well worth it once you are there.

Pemba is one of the most beautiful islands i have every been on! There is almost no tourist, so pretty much unspoiled!

We liked snorkeling and suset dhow cruise especially as activites. Water was crystal clear and warm. When the tie comes in, the water in shallow gets hot. It was a bad ants season while we were there which was little annoying to sit with! It was a beautiful smell of cloves on the road from the airport on main island of Pemba to south end before taking a boat trip to Shamiani. Cloves were season right in November and dried on the side of the road everywhere on Pemba.

The locals are friendly, the ocean air is lovely, and there aren't many other tourists on the island.

Liked: 1) the good and safe guiding of the unique coral reefs. 2) many outdoor activities possible.Uncomfortable: The humid, tropical heat.

A perfect place to chill. We have made an excellent experience with out hotel and the surroundings. People on Pemba are the most friendly we have ever met.

We where breath taken by the beauty of the Manta Resort. Raised up above the sparkling white beaches and amazing azure and turquoise waters of the reef and Indian Ocean. The food and service were world class,extremely comfortable accommodation. My wife and I are already planning our next trip!!!

We stayed here as an overnight before transferring on to Ibo island . We were pleasantly surprised by the hotel which has a very cosy and friendly atmosphere and is located right in the beach. The lighting is warm and pleasant and at night very welcoming. The rooms are adequate with a stunning view on the beach. The Club Naval restaurant is nice with a big bar and good atmosphere right on the beach. Staff is very friendly but their language skills is limited apart from Portuguese or local. But overall a very pleasant stay and recommended to anyone

A great find, not yet overwhelmed by tourist. Lets hope it stays that way. Green and lush with fab beaches.

Walk locally to your hotel - ideally with a guide.Visit the lighthouse at the north and climb up it.Take fresh cloves home - get them at the airport.

Pemba Island which is part of the Zanzibar Arquipelago, is geologically and by nature quite diffent from the larger Island of Zanzibar. It has far fewer historical sites and attractions but is very much hillier and greener and - as a side kick - far less "touristy" with all the disadvantages and more so, advantages. The best time of the year to visit the island is September/October, the time of the clove harvest when the fragrance covers the whole island. Diving is spectacular with reef dives for the less experienced and wall and - at times very fast - drift dives for the more experienced divers.I've done over 25o dives there and all of them with SWAHILI DIVERS. Their Kervan Seray Lodge is, as one might be surprised to find in such a remote place, fully adapted for the "addicted" diver. Don't expect too much luxury, but the sunsets on the deck with the waves lapping the corals below and with a cold drink fully compensate for what you might be missing. Raf and Cisca are the perfect hosts and the diving instructors are 1st class.

Pemba lodge is set on Shamiani island with no other lodges or tourist attractions, and therefore it feels like it is practically untouched. There is a small village nearby and often you will see the locals fishing and walking by, saying Jambo. A stunning piece of unspoilt beauty, in both the place and the people.

Beautiful peaceful setting with lovely friendly people. Great fruit abounds on this island. It is very easy to get around and navigate.

What a amazing island this is......set amongst the most clear and pristine ocean waters one would come across.....green island as it is called owing to the colour of the water coupled with the wonderful diving experience and snorkeling which is a treat where you can see the colorful marine life at its best with the lovely coral reefs.......the beaches are all white sand ..its a treat just to be there....truly heavenly...!!!