Pure Pemba – Go exploring with Afro Divers
Travel period
Features
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Diving on Pemba, an undiscovered paradise!
On Pemba Island, located about 40 kilometers above Zanzibar, almost against the (water) border of Kenya, you will find a destination that seems to have stood the test of time. Pemba Island is a true natural paradise where Mother Nature’s kingdom remains pristine and unlimited. Whether diving underwater or exploring the island, the diversity of flora and fauna is incredible, which divers and hikers alike will greatly appreciate.
Diving in Pemba with Afro Divers
At Afro Divers, located in the north of Pemba Island, you will make beautiful dives daily. The PADI dive center is small but high quality, surrounded by lush nature and far away from the modern world and mass tourism. Afro Divers is the opposite of a “factory” dive center; it is personal and intimate. The team, led by Dutch Michael and French Carlotta, have a deep love for the ocean. Pemba offers fantastic diving with tropical coral reef systems, steep walls and tidal currents that attract pelagic fish, making it truly a top diving destination in our opinion.
Stay at Pemba Paradise
You will stay during your diving vacation at Pemba Paradise, a hotel located on the beautiful northwest coast of Pemba Island, in the village of Makangale. Here you can enjoy a beautiful beach, a swimming pool, a restaurant and two bars. The hotel also organizes various excursions to make your diving trip even more complete. With the natural beauty of Pemba as a backdrop, this diving vacation promises to be an experience you will cherish forever.
Whales & Dolphins at Pemba
Whales & Dolphins at PembaFrom late July to late October, you can spot humpback whales. If you are lucky, you can see them up close, observe several whales in a group and even see calves.
Dolphins can be found year-round around Pemba and they can be seen in large numbers. There are mainly spinner dolphins, which are very athletic.
Best travel time for a diving vacation to Pemba Island
January and February are high season, with great weather and warm water, but occasionally strong north winds can make for a bumpy ride. March is a favorite, with calm waters and few tourists, despite the onset of the rainy season. April is low season, but sometimes has beautiful weather between showers. In May, the dive center is closed due to heavy rains, with unpredictable weather. There are occasional rainstorms and wind in June, but it is a quiet tourist period ideal for experienced divers. July is the windiest month, but the West Coast offers some protection and conditions remain good. August brings calmer water, but also colder temperatures, with the lowest water temperature around 23 degrees Celsius. September is much like August but with fewer tourists and falls in the middle of Humpback Whale season. October and November bring warmer weather and an abundance of fish, and even during the small rain period conditions are excellent with often large pelagic fish. December is one of the best months to visit, both above and below the water.
Average Temperatures
Wetsuit advice for Pemba Island, Tanzania
What will you experience on this diving vacation?
View itinerary here
Day 1 - The journey to Pemba Island
The journey to Pemba is via Zanzibar. You first fly to Zanzibar, flight duration about 10 hours (direct flight or short stopover from Europe), Another short (25-minute) local flight will take you to Pemba.
After arriving at Pemba airport, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel in the North of Pemba.
Since you will travel from Zanzibar to Pemba, you can combine this diving vacation fantastically with a diving vacation or short stay on Zanzibar.
Day 2 to 6 - Diving around Pemba
For the next 5 days, you will make 2 dives daily with Afro Divers. The diving starts early. You will be picked up at the hotel around 08:00. The drive to the dive center takes about 15 mins. After all the paperwork (only the first day) is taken care of, the briefing is given and the equipment is on the boat, it is time for the first dive. This is followed by a surface interval of at least one hour. The surface interval is on a beach.
You visit a different beach each day, and Afro Divers always provides snacks and drinks, as well as tea or coffee. Around 1 p.m. you will be back at the hotel and have the rest of the afternoon for excursions and relaxing.
Good to know: You can extend this diving program with an afternoon dive. In that case, you will enjoy lunch at the dive center and then have a 3rd dive of the day in the afternoon.
Diving around Pemba Island
Diving in Pemba is exciting thanks to the deep and crystal clear waters, such as the Pemba Channel. The tidal range of more than four meters creates strong currents, especially between the small islands surrounding Pemba, where small passages, called “gaps,” are created. The many mangrove forests on Pemba contribute to a biodiverse and healthy ecosystem on which the reefs depend.
Most of our dive sites are steep walls that descend from an average of twelve meters deep to fifty meters deep, some even deeper. Drifting past these spacious dive sites is a great reason to come to Pemba, especially when surrounded by abundant reef fish and unpredictable big fish swimming by.
Day 7 - Excursions on dry land
Today you won’t be diving, but there will be plenty of opportunity to explore the island further. A number of interesting excursions are offered from the hotel anyway, which you can book on the spot. Is there something for you?
First is the“Lighthouse & Local Village Tour,” where you travel to the northern tip of Pemba, the Kigomasha Peninsula, and enjoy panoramic views from the lighthouse. Then visit charming villages such as Kigomasha and Tondooni, where you can see local activities and relax at the famous Vumawimbi beach.
Discover the“Spice Tour” with friendly guides who will take you on a walking tour of spice farms, where you can smell and taste spices such as cloves, lemongrass, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, black pepper and vanilla. Also visit the essential oil distillery to see how herbs are turned into oil.
Explore the“Ngezi Forest Reserve,” the northernmost point of Pemba, with native forest, white sand beaches, and rich biodiversity, including the rare Pemba Flying Fox bat.
Get to know the history of Pujini on the“Historical Site Tour,” where you can discover the remains of a 15th-century fortified city once ruled by the infamous Mkama Ndume.
Day 8 - Return home
Today you will fly back home via Zanzibar. Don’t you want to go home yet? Then consider extending your diving vacation in Zanzibar. You can also go on safari in Tanzania or Kenya. Theoretically, Kenya is right around the corner…. A safari extension can be as little as a few days to a full week. We work with partners where we can customize the trip to your wishes.
Do you choose to go home? Then you are often home the next day, day 9.
The accommodation
The stay and surroundings
Pemba Paradise
Tucked away in a lush garden, the Pemba Paradise hotel has 16 rooms, including 8 with sea views and 8 with garden views. Most rooms have a large double bed. Each room has a private bathroom and veranda, and can be used as either a single or double room.
Pemba Paradise offers overnight accommodation including breakfast. In addition, lunch and dinner choices from the special menu are available. The restaurant serves delicious meals prepared with fresh ingredients such as fish and vegetables from their own garden or the local market.
The hotel features a beautiful beach, swimming pool, restaurant and two bars – Pili Pili next to the restaurant and Mapenzi Beach Bar, where guests can relax and enjoy the sunset.
During this dive vacation you will stay in a Suite Sea View room, with beautiful ocean views, a spacious bed and a bathroom with tub and shower for relaxation after a day of adventure.
The diving school
Learn more about the dive center
Afro Divers
Afro Divers is located amid the baobabs, right on the beach, surrounded by incredible nature. They are small and personal, with small dive groups for more fun.
The Afro Divers team, led by Dutch Michael & French Carlotta, consists of experienced and well-trained members, most of whom are from Pemba. They communicate in several languages, including English, Italian, Dutch, German, French, Spanish and Swahili. The team takes pride in their mix of European and local employees, working with the local community and seeking to leverage local products and services to improve economic prosperity in the area.
Their philosophy focuses on environmental awareness and responsible diving to minimize damage to the reef. Pemba is considered one of Tanzania’s last natural paradises, largely untouched by tourism, with intense and pristine habitats.
Afro Divers is the only independent dive center on the island of Pemba and is located as close as possible to the dive sites. They offer an all-inclusive service from pickup at your hotel or resort to return. With PADI certification, a fast boat and high-quality diving equipment, they strive for optimal comfort and the best diving moments.
Travel costs
What is included
This dive vacation to Pemba Island is available from €1399 per person based on two people in one room. The diving trip can be expanded as desired. A number of things are included by default in this travel package.
Prices are subject to price changes, increases or changing exchange rates. Flights are always based on the cheapest possible booking class.
Want to know more about this diving vacation to Pemba Island – Tanzania? Get in touch with us!
Included in this diving trip, from €1399,- p.p.
- 7 Nights in an Ocean View room
- Stay on a bed & breakfast basis
- Return transfers Pemba airport
- Dive package consisting of 10 dives
- VZR, Calamity Fund & Administration fee
Excluding
- Flight to Zanzibar
- Flight Zanzibar - Pemba Island
- Visa fees
- from €800,- p.p.
- from €150,- p.p.
- €50, - p.p.
Optional
- Afternoon dive (3rd dive of the day)
- Night dive (3rd or 4th dive of the day)
- Nitrox
- Half board accommodation (breakfast & dinner)
- Accommodation based on full board (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
- €80, - p.p.
- €80, - p.p.
- $10,- per tank
- +€210,- p.p.
- +€240,- p.p.
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Frequently asked questions about this diving vacation
Diving on Pemba general information
Boat dives. Expect Macro, but also dives with big stuff if you are lucky. Don’t forget too look in the blue.
Some dive sites are already about 10 minutes by boat from the dive center. Other dive sites may be slightly longer boat rides.
Maximum 4, the package includes 2 morning dives. You can extend this with an afternoon dive and night dive.
Yes you can.
No, you only do boat dives. However, a number of dive sites are fairly close by.
Yes, you can learn to dive here, get your advanced or rescue or take a specialty.
You will be picked up at the resort daily. The distance is about 15 minutes.
Diving equipment
No, all tanks are 11.1L (80cu ft alu)
Yes, this costs $10 per tank
Yes, for a week you pay $100 for a wetsuit, bcd/wing, regulator, fins, mask, dive computer AND surface buoy (SMB).
Activities, Excursions and Wellness
Yes, you can snorkel here – but don’t expect to see too much. There is one special snorkeling excursion where you can be taken to a place where the coral reef is really beautiful for snorkeling. All around the hotel is more barren. But if you just want to swim / snorkel, it’s fine.
Yes, but not very extensive there are massages offered, among other things.
For this, see the description at Day 7.
Accommodation / Resort
Yes, and this one is fairly reliable.
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