How to get to Pemba Island?

 

How to get to Pemba from Tanzania?

Note that if you are departing from Dar Es Salaam or another city on the Tanzanian mainland and you want to go to Pemba island, you have two choices.

Fly to Pemba Island from Tanzania

Pemba Airport is located approximately 7 kilometers from Chake-Chake which is the "capital" of the island. 

Dar es Salaam and Tanga airports provide connections several times a week to reach Pemba island. 

These flights are operated by local companies which are:

• AuricAir
• Coastal Aviation 

Be careful when booking, two different rates will be offered. A much cheaper rate is reserved for residents, namely locals. Too bad for us ...

Obviously, for tourists the price fluctuates between US $ 70 and US $ 200 depending on the season in which you want to make the trip.

Note that the price indicated on the websites of the airlines does not include luggage (only 10kg is included for one of the companies). You will need to add $ 20 / US $ 30 per bag.

Don't worry, if that price is too high for you and you want to visit this small island of Pemba at all costs, there is always the option of getting there in another way.

Reach Pemba island from Tanzania by boat

You can reach Pemba by boat from Dar Es Salaam or Tanga.

Count about US $ 35 per person for a one-way trip with the AZAM marine company. There are others, but this is the best known.

You may already be in Zanzibar (Unguja) and want to reach Pemba island.

How to go to Pemba island from Zanzibar (Unguja)?

To reach Pemba island from Zanzibar, you have the following two possibilities

Reach Pemba island from Zanzibar (Unguja) by plane

As I explained to you previously, you have the option of taking a flight between Unguja and Pemba. 

The two companies making several flights per week are as follows:

• AuricAir
• Coastal Aviation

The flight from Zanzibar to Pemba island takes only 30 minutes, which is relatively quick and can save you a lot of time if you only have a few days to visit Pemba and Zanzibar. 

Regarding the price, it varies depending on the season to which you wish to travel. You can count between US $ 50 and US $ 150.

Warning ! Note that the planes that provide these connections are small planes (about 15 seats)! But I assure you that the experiment is to be tried. 

You may even find yourself in the co-pilot's seat if the plane is full. You will have a breathtaking view of Zanzibar, I guarantee it.

Reach Pemba island from Zanzibar (Unguja) by boat

For travelers on a smaller budget or those not pressed for time, you have the option of taking a ferry from Stone Town (Unguja) which will drop you off either:

• In Mkoani (south of Pemba Island)
• In Wete (further north of the island)

There are several ferry companies making this connection:

• AZAM-Marine
• Mapinduzi (government-run company) which offers a slightly cheaper crossing.

Count around $ 35 per person for one way (for tourists) and $ 25 through Mapinduzi. Allow 4/5 hours for the duration of the crossing.

When booking you can be offered a more expensive “VIP” seat so that you can sit in the covered and air-conditioned part of the boat.

I personally experienced the ferry crossing without purchasing the VIP ticket. It must be said that in the boat I was the only tourist. Without checking my ticket, the ferry staff suggested that I, both on the outward and return journeys, sit in the “VIP” part of the ferry. 

So I think there is no need to pay for a VIP ticket up front.

After that is only my own experience.

Pemba is a great place to visit, so make the most of it!