Baobabs trees, warm ocean breezes, and reefs largely untouched by mass tourism and plenty of marine life at every turn. This is Pemba. Welcome to Afro Divers Lodge.
Pemba sits quietly north of Zanzibar, largely overlooked by the crowds that flock to its better-known neighbour. That's exactly what makes it so appealing. Thick forest covers much of the interior, home to the endemic Pemba flying fox and a wealth of birdlife found nowhere else on earth. Afro Divers Lodge sits at the heart of it all, a small, considered base from which to explore this rarely visited corner of the Indian Ocean.
Beneath the surface, abundant marine life awaits. Steep walls drop into deep channels, currents sweep in nutrients from the open ocean, and reefs remain largely as they've always been. Very few other dive boats crowd the sites. Just you, your buddies, and whatever the Indian Ocean decides to reveal that day.
Accommodation
Afro Divers Lodge holds ten rooms in total — five on the ground floor and five above. All rooms sit approximately 80 metres from the beachfront, looking out over the ocean horizon. Upper rooms take in wide panoramic sea views, while ground-floor rooms each have a 15-metre front garden with a generous stretch of private space, making the terrace feel genuinely your own.
Every room comes with its own 10-square-metre terrace and en suite bathroom, along with air conditioning and a ceiling fan. The steel-framed folding doors open entirely across the front of the room, so the view comes to you whether you're on the terrace or lying in bed. Plants run from the terrace through to the shower, giving each room a quiet, botanical feel.
Look out, and you'll find the Indian Ocean on one side, two towering baobab trees on the other, and a view that's hard to find anywhere else on the island. With just ten rooms, stays here tend to feel personal. The team knows who you are, what you need and how to make the most of your time on Pemba.
Facilities
The restaurant at Afro Divers Lodge sits under a palm-roof structure overlooking the ocean. The food is delicious, fresh, and made on the spot. The lodge runs on a table d'hôte basis, so each day brings a different menu of carefully prepared dishes built around whatever is fresh and local. Ingredients are sourced mainly from the islands, and the cooking draws on the rich Swahili tradition — a blend of African, Indian and Arabic flavours, with broader Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences woven in.
The Afro Divers Lodge Beach Bar runs happy hour each evening, just in time for sundowners as the light fades over Pemba. The 15-metre open-air swimming pool sits in the shade of ancient baobab trees, with loungers set along the water's edge for the perfect sunset view.
Activities
Afro Divers Lodge arranges guided excursions with local guides who know the island inside out.
Snorkelling trips head out to healthy, untouched reefs full of colour. The topography alone is worth the mask and fins; there are drop-offs, coral gardens, underwater caves and sandbanks to explore at your own pace.
Pemba's mangroves are something distinctive. Dense forests rise from shallow, brackish waters, home to crabs, fish, herons and egrets. Guided tours go by kayak or traditional wooden boat, led by locals who know these waterways well.
The Sandbank appears at low tide, and is best reached by traditional galawa or fast boat. This a great spot for a sunset cruise, a fresh fish barbecue, or simply sitting quietly as birdlife passes overhead and local fishermen drift by.
The fish markets at Msuka and Tumbe reward an early start. Watch the boats come in, and the catch go to auction. If your guide invites you for a meal afterwards, say yes.
Ngezi Forest is one of Pemba's great rewards. Rangers lead walks through the interior, where the endemic Pemba flying fox moves through the canopy and rare birds fill the air. Look out for the Pemba green pigeon, Pemba scops owl, Pemba white-eye and Pemba sunbird, alongside endemic subspecies such as the Pemba goshawk and Pemba black-bellied starling. At nearby Bwagamoyo Spice Farm, you'll get close to the cloves, turmeric, cardamom and cinnamon the archipelago has been known for over centuries.
The mangrove village of Mkia Ngombe is best explored by local fishing boat, where traditional dhow builders still work by hand. Walks through Wete, Chake Chake and the village of Kojani, reachable on foot only at low tide, and gain a genuine feel for island life.
For beaches, the guides know exactly where to go. Vumawimbi stretches long and quiet along the north-east coast, while Mbuyuni, on the east, is about as isolated as a beach gets.
Resort Features
- On Site Dive Centre
- Oceanfront
- Swimming Pool
- Boutique
- Environmentally Aware
Recommended for
- Singles
- Families
- Experienced Divers
- Beginner Divers
- Learn to Dive
- Photographers
- Snorkellers
Our Holiday Prices
The price quoted is a guide, based on the cheapest time to travel and two people sharing. Flight prices change daily, so we'll prepare a personalised quotation to ensure that you receive the most competitive price for your chosen travel dates.
Please call 01353 659999 or complete an enquiry form for a quotation.
Afro Divers Pemba
10 days from £2,850 inc. flights, transfers, accommodation, diving
Send Enquiry Speak to an expert. Call 01353 659999
At a Glance
- When to Go Jul-Mar
- Rental Equipment Yes (£)
- Rooms 10
- Nitrox Paid
- Group Discount Please enquire
Highlights
- Boutique, local feel
- Low-impact tourism
- Reefs without crowds
- Amazing marine life
- Great macro
- Near Ngezi forest
What's included?
Price per person typically includes:
- Flights to/from UK
- Domestic flights
- Airport transfers to & from resort
- 7 nights' accommodation on half-board basis
- 10 boat dives
Our Price Match Promise
At Regaldive we are committed to offering you the best possible value for money on all our diving holidays. That's why we offer you a price match promise. Learn more about our promise to you.
Afro Divers Dive Centre
Afro Divers Dive Centre was built by dive professionals who know what makes a good day underwater. Diving with the centre includes two morning dives, then boats return for lunch. Afternoon dives and night dives are also on offer, so four dives a day is very much within reach for those who want it.
Equipment Rental
Nitrox Available (Paid)
Groups
Boat Diving
Courses
Environmentally Aware
A typical day starts early: coffee in hand, boat loaded, heading out to sites where you'll rarely meet another dive boat. Two morning dives, then back in time for lunch. Afternoon dives and night dives are also available, so four dives a day is well within reach for those who want it.
Most sites are dramatic walls, dropping from around 12 metres down past 50. Tidal currents keep the reefs vibrant and the marine life rich. Corals and sponges cover the walls in remarkable variety, with sites like Emillio's Back Passage and Bikini Wall among the finest in East Africa for sponge growth.
Reef fish fill every corner in colour and shape. Turtles, Napoleon wrasses, rays and barracudas are regular company, and out in the current, schools of tuna, trevally and rainbow runner pass through. White tip reef sharks turn up often, and between October and April there's a chance of whale sharks, hammerheads or threshers. Dolphins are a common sight on the surface.
Macro life here is outstanding, with nudibranchs, frogfish and tiny shrimps rewarding those who look closely. Dedicated dives into the mangrove estuaries give macro photographers a rare shot at species seldom seen elsewhere.
Nitrox is available at an extra charge of around $10 per fill for those wanting longer bottom time. Equipment hire is available, along with a full range of recreational courses, from learn-to-dive through to advanced and speciality.
Gallery
Planning your Holiday
Visas
Entry requirements vary from country to country, and it’s important to check the latest visa information well before you travel. Some destinations may allow visa-free entry for a limited period, while others require an eVisa or a visa obtained in advance. To ensure you have the correct documentation for your trip, we recommend checking the official advice from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or contacting the relevant country’s embassy or consulate. Other nationalities should check with their own consulate/embassy.
Passports
Before you travel, make sure your passport is valid for the full duration of your trip and meets the entry requirements of your destination. Many countries require at least six months’ validity beyond your planned return date, while others may have different rules. For the most reliable and up-to-date information, visit the UK Government’s passport guidance or the official travel advice pages for your destination. Other nationalities should check with their own consulate/embassy.
If you’re planning to travel to or via an EU country (with certain exceptions) your UK passport must meet two key requirements, it must be less than 10 years old on the day you enter the country and it must be valid for at least three months after your planned departure date.
Vaccinations & Health Advice
Health and vaccination requirements differ depending on where you're travelling. Some destinations may require proof of specific vaccinations or recommend certain precautions to protect your wellbeing.
We’re not qualified to provide you with specific advice on vaccinations and strongly recommend that you contact your healthcare professional before you travel to discuss the inoculations you may need to consider.
For trusted guidance on health and vaccination advice, refer to the NHS Travel Vaccination Advice, Masta Travel Health or Travel Health Pro websites.
Enquire about Afro Divers Pemba
Speak to an expert. Call 01353 659999 Send Enquiry