Pemba IslandPemba is a beautifully quiet island that lies about 25 minutes flight North of Zanzibar. With a fraction of the visitors of Zanzibar, the island has very few hotels and retains a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. The ocean here is home to some of Tanzania’s best dive sites and subsequently Pemba has become a Mecca for serious divers. It is also a great honeymoon option for people wanting to escape the crowds on Zanzibar.
Pemba Island lies a full 40km north of the 'main' island of the Zanzibar Archipelago, (Unguja, Zanzibar). Unlike its southern sister, Pemba has remained virtually unknown to the hordes of beach-bound tourists, and so only a couple of luxury lodges have opened up on its shores. This relative obscurity protects the island but means that obtaining a top quality lodge here can be difficult.
The island is not much smaller than Zanzibar, but is topographically very different. Whereas Zanzibar is a low lying island, Pemba has rolling hills and reefs that drop off steeply; providing those much sought after challenging dives! Unfortunately the majority of beaches here are not as good as Zanzibar’s, due to much of the island's shores being flanked with dense mangrove forests. Subsequently the best beaches take a bit of finding and getting to. So, for beach lovers, Zanzibar wins every time. Pemba: Accommodation choices
The most famous lodge on Pemba by far is Fundu Lagoon, a luxurious barefoot lodge well regarded in the industry as being one of East Africa’s finest beach properties. Fundu focuses heavily on the honeymoon market and even though their beach is poor in comparison to others in the area, they have access to some beautiful islands and exceptional dive sites. In the North of the island lies the other high end lodge - Manta Reef. Manta lies on a great beach and whose recent refurbishment should have raised its quality - but it is still some way off competing with Fundu! If you want a wide range of accommodation choices then Pemba is not the island for you.
Recommended lodges in this area:
Pemba
Although Fundu's beach isn't as good as some of the beaches on Zanzibar, they have access to nearby islands which are fabulous.
Quirimbas Archipelago
Set on a vast beach that competes with anywhere in the world, Vamizi consists of 13 extravagant rooms spread at one end of a 7km long beach. Rooms are huge with massive four poster beds, open lounge areas and huge bathrooms
Tanzania Mainland Coast
Quiet, away from it, all but with fabulous rooms, great food and friendly unpretentious service. This is the best value beach accommodation and one of the most beautiful small lodges to be found anywhere in Tanzania.
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