Diving Pemba Island
Pemba Island is the second-largest island in the Zanzibar Archipelago. It sits about 50 kilometers (31 miles) off the coast of mainland Tanzania and is home to a population of about 400,000 people. It is also known as one of the best diving destinations in the world, with pristine coral gardens and an awe-inspiring variety of marine life that match the lush scenery above the water’s surface. Here you won’t just discover beautiful coral you can also enjoy drift dives and dramatic walls, when it comes to marine life, you can spot dolphins and see white-tip reef sharks, whales, turtles and rays as well as fish of myriad colors darting about. Most of the diving is done from liveaboards but if you want to try shore dives there are a few available. The most discovered sites are those to the west and south. Water temperatures around Pemba Island average 26C (61F) year-round which makes for an inviting environment and the visibility is a dazzling 30-40m (98-131ft). Whether you want to explore underwater mountain scenery or photograph marine life, explore lush coral gardens and huge sea fans, or even try dramatic swim-throughs you’ll find it all at the dive sites here. Around Pemba Island you will also find some great places to try night dives.
Featured places to go in Pemba Island
Pemba North West
Aquatic Life in Pemba Island
Pemba Island’s underwater life is very similar to Unguja and Mnemba Island’s in the species that you will find near here, but it does not quite have the abundance since the waters surrounding the island are not quite as protected. There are plenty of reefs in the crystal clear waters of the region though so you will see plenty of colorful reef fish such as triggerfish, lionfish, and fusiliers, as well as nudibranch and larger creatures like turtles, rays and the occasional dolphins or even whales when the season is right.