Pemba Island is situated off the East Africa mainland, almost adjacent to the Tanzania/ Kenya border and slightly north of the island commonly known as Zanzibar. (Its real name is Unguja – the name Zanzibar really refers to the islands of Unguja, Pemba, and Mafi a collectively.) The diving off Pemba Island must be among the most spectacular to be had.
Blue-water drop-offs from pristine shallow reefs characterise most of the coast and dive sites. Magnifi cent hard and soft coral gardens are alive with anemones and reef fish of every imaginable species, while in the blue periphery, the big pelagics patrol. The amazing drop-offs, prolific sea life and clean water are a result of the deep Pemba channel, which separates the island from the mainland. As it approaches the island, the channel begins a dramatic rise to create sheer walls off the coast.
An absence of major rivers means the visibility remains between 20 and 40 metres, and the walls and drop offs disappear into depths of between 50 and 200 metres. Eagle rays, giant Napoleon wrasse, groupers, snapper, barracuda and tuna are commonly found here, and manta rays, reef sharks and dolphins are frequently seen . The majority of the classic Pemba dive sites are on the west coast.
Pemba has five species of birds found nowhere else in the world, and the unique Pemba flying fox, a giant bat also found nowhere else in the world. The most striking of these birds is the Pemba sunbird, which we found in profusion in the grounds of the Manta Reef Lodge.
This description was provided by Manta Reef Lodge and Sensation Divers (see below for more information).
A really good option, is to enquire at Manta Reef Lodge on Pemba, or Sensation Divers on Ungujua, about thier joint venture enabling divers to experience the ' Best of Both Worlds ' offer. This offer includes staying and diving at the awesome sites that Pemba offers, and combines a stay with fantastic diving on the southern sister island of Ungujua.
Logistically, because Zanzibar's capital is on Ungunjua, this would be the best option.
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