Pemba Island - exploring Pemba and Where to Stay Pemba makes up a smaller half of the Zanzibar archipelago, and yet Pemba lies a full 40km north of its sister island Unguja, and feels characteristically very distinct. Unlike its southern sister, Pemba has remained virtually unknown to hordes of beach-bound tourists, and just a couple of distinct luxury lodges have opened up on its rural shores. The island is best known by those who wish to explore it's reefs; the extreme depths of the Pemba Channel and thriving marine life make this region a diver's paradise. Pemba Diving The Pemba Channel, shelves off to depths of more than 2000m between the island and mainland Tanzania, and this has made Pemba famous for the serious size of its sea fish, which include barracuda, tuna, shark, and even whales cruising its perimeters. It is a glorious playground for experienced divers. The waters around Pemba provide some of the most fantastic wall dives and drift dives, fine soft and hard coral formations and open water diving opportunities that this East African coastline has to offer. Pemba HistoryPemba was a focal destination for travellers in past years, when it was known as "Al khudra', 'the green island', and it remains today green and picturesque, coloured by the rich greens of ten types of mangoes in plenty, and many hundreds of clove trees that have traditionally supported the fortunes of this island of spice. Although Pemba is surrounded by fine coral reef and pristine seas its shores are also flanked with dense mangrove forests, and the best beaches take a bit of finding and getting to. Zanzibari beaches in general are subjected to tidal extremes, and many of these around Pemba expose coral patches and sea grass at low tide. These reefs can then be explored on foot, but suitable footwear is advised!
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