Pemba Island at a glance
Pemba is the second main island of Zanzibar, after Unguja. It covers 988 km², compared with 1,666 km² for Unguja, and the 2022 census counted 543,441 people here. This page is about Pemba in Tanzania, not the town of Pemba in Mozambique.
Pemba is a trip of its own, with forest, long beaches and diving rather than the tour programme of the main island. If you are still deciding what to book on Unguja, start with our overview of Zanzibar day tours, then come back here to plan the crossing.
Getting to Pemba from Zanzibar
Flight or ferry: the two ways to cross.
| Flight | Ferry | |
|---|---|---|
| Journey time | 30 minutes scheduled | About 2 hours 15 minutes to 6 hours 30 minutes, depending on the ship and sailing |
| Timetable | Daily, 15:20–15:50 (timetable of April 2026) | Depends on the date and the port |
| Fare | Adult base fare $100, child $75, plus $30 for taxes, charges and levies | Confirm the fare for your date and route |
| Best for | Travellers with limited time | Travellers who can plan around a sailing |
For most visitors with limited time, the flight is the simple choice. The timetable runs until 31 May 2027, but always confirm the current fare, including taxes, when you book. For ferries, confirm the departure date and port before you plan, because crossing times vary a lot. Details on ferries from the main town are on Stone Town's ferry page.
Our pick: a day on Pemba
A guided day through the forest reserve, the lighthouse and the beach, starting on Pemba itself.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Zanzibar tours and day trips
Excursions on Unguja and from the main island, with live prices and availability.
Ngezi Forest
Ngezi lies at the north-west tip of Pemba and covers 1,440 hectares. Flying foxes, which are large fruit bats, roost in its trees, as the picture shows. A Pemba flying fox hangs from a branch in the picture below.
Wild animals move, so sightings differ from visit to visit. Ask about the current entry fee and the days the forest is open before you go, and keep a distance from roosting bats.
Diving, Misali and the reef
What the water around Pemba offers.
Diving
Diving, drop-offs and drift dives are part of what the archipelago offers, and that includes Pemba. Not every site in the Pemba Channel suits beginners, so tell your dive centre your level and ask which sites match it.
Misali Island
Misali sits close to Pemba with a fringe of shallow reef, as the aerial picture shows. Trips by boat depend on the day and the sea. Ask your operator which pier is used and what the day includes.
Marine conservation fees
The Pemba Channel Conservation Area is one of the protected areas where marine fees can apply. Ask whether a fee is included in your trip price or paid separately.
Mnemba marine fees and rules →Beaches
Vumawimbi is a long white beach with forest behind it. The sea changes with the tides, so ask locally about swimming conditions and currents on the day.
Pemba and Unguja in numbers
A sense of scale for the two main islands.
| Unguja | Pemba | |
|---|---|---|
| Area | 1,666 km² | 988 km² |
| People, census 2022 | 1,346,332 | 543,441 |
| Regions | Three | Two, with 272,091 and 271,350 people |
Pemba is smaller and far less populated than Unguja, which is why it feels quieter. For most visitors who want beaches, snorkeling trips and a wide choice of excursions, Unguja is the base. Choose Pemba if forest, diving and a slower pace matter more to you.
Towns and sights on Pemba
Chake Chake is one of the island's main towns, with an old mosque reached by a flight of steps. Spend a short time there if you pass through, and respect prayer times and local dress habits.
A lighthouse at Ras Kigomasha looks out over forest and turquoise sea. Check locally whether you can climb it, and do not rely on access.
Plan your Pemba trip
- Book the flight or the ferry first and leave a buffer around the crossing.
- In storms and thunderstorms, travel advice recommends against crossings by sea, and an overloaded ship is a reason to step off.
- Malaria risk exists all year on Zanzibar and Pemba. See a doctor before you travel and use mosquito protection.
- Weather figures on our weather page come from a station on Unguja, not from Pemba.
Plan the rest of your trip
When to go and where to stay.
Pemba Island: frequently asked questions
How do I get from Zanzibar to Pemba?
By air or by ferry. A daily flight (timetable of April 2026) leaves at 15:20 and lands at 15:50, a scheduled flight time of 30 minutes. Ferry times range from about 2 hours 15 minutes to 6 hours 30 minutes.
How much does the flight to Pemba cost?
The adult base fare is $100 and the child fare $75, plus $30 for taxes, charges and levies (April 2026). Confirm the full fare when you book.
Is this Pemba in Mozambique?
No. This page is about Pemba in Tanzania, part of the Zanzibar archipelago.
What is there to see on Pemba?
Ngezi Forest and its flying foxes, diving in the Pemba Channel, Misali Island, Vumawimbi beach and the towns such as Chake Chake.
How big is Pemba compared with Unguja?
Pemba covers 988 km² and Unguja 1,666 km². The 2022 census counted 543,441 people on Pemba and 1,346,332 on Unguja.