Pemba Island

Pemba is an island in the Zanzibar Archipelago off the coast of Tanzania, shaped by deep bays and rolling hills. The coastline alternates between mangrove forests, sandy beaches, and small fishing villages with traditional wooden boats anchored offshore.

Arab traders visited the island from the 9th century onward and introduced spice cultivation, which later expanded under Omani and British rule. In the 20th century, it became part of Tanzania after independence and the union with the mainland.

The name Pemba comes from Arabic and means green island, a reference to the dense spice plantations. The landscape is dotted with clove trees, whose scent fills the air during harvest season and shapes daily life on the island.

Small propeller planes connect the island to the mainland, landing on a short runway. Those exploring the area should allow extra time, as roads are often unpaved tracks and distances take longer than expected.

The waters around the island are among the best diving sites in East Africa, with visibility often reaching several dozen meters. Underwater, there are also the remains of several shipwrecks from different centuries, now overgrown with coral.