Pemba Island Holidays

Pemba is a paradise for people who love water activities, from exploring world-class dive sites to canoeing through thick mangrove forests. At Fundu Lagoon, they are lucky to have the Misali Island Marine Conservation Area right opposite the resort and guests are taken there every day to dive and snorkel.

At Fundu Lagoon, they are lucky to have the Misali Island Marine Conservation Area right opposite the resort and guests are taken there every day to dive and snorkel. It has a white-sand beach that drops directly into the Indian Ocean. You can swim for just 20 metres and you’re on an unspoiled reef, which is amazing for snorkelling.

Often included in lists of the world’s best diving destinations, Pemba has thousands of exciting sites around the island to explore. They have their own five-star PADI centre with courses and equipment for all abilities, from beginners to experienced dive masters. Everything is arranged for you, you just have to step on the boat and your gear’s there, ready to go.

There are 30 dive sites that are regularly visited, including a big tanker wreck and coral reef wall dives, plus shallow sections for beginners. You could do three dives a day for a week and visit a different site each time. The coral is pristine and home to all kinds of colourful marine creatures, including turtles. It’s a great extension of your safari on mainland Tanzania and a chance to sample the country’s diverse marine wildlife.

Also recommended is canoeing in the nearby mangrove forest. One of the local guides will take you in a traditional, dug-out wooden canoe across the bay to an unspoilt tangle of mangroves. As you sail through the narrow canals, it’s like going back a thousand years, you’re surrounded by birds and parrots and it feels like sailing through the Amazon.