Don't give Pemba the skip on a rush to get to the Mozambique Islands, this shabby chic town has a lot to offer.

Pemba - the gateway to the Quirimbas Islands

Pemba is a coastal town situated in northern Mozambique. Today Pemba is one of the great tourist beach destinations in Mozambique. It is the closest airport for those who are visiting the Quirimbas Islands. The town is also known for its colonial Portuguese architecture. Like many areas in Mozambique it has a long history of Arab and Portuguese colonisation for the slave and ivory trades.

Vibrant markets and diving paradise

One of the greatest attractions in Pemba is the central market which contains a wide variety of arts and craft pieces. The local people are particularly renowned for their silverwork. The town has a well developed infrastructure as there are many hotels.

The town is also the launch site for many dive sites in the surrounding regions. There is a coral reef that lies not far off shore which is home to a wide variety of marine species and stunning coral. Diving highlights include Moray Eels, Stingrays and Barracudas.

The regions warm waters and sunny tropical climate mean that fantastic diving is possible year round. However the rainy season falls between December and April and this can affect diving visibility. The winter months between May and September are the best time for diving and the other water sports offered off the coast of Pemba.

A beautiful tropical beach resort

This is a popular tourist destination especially for South Africans and finding accommodation during the South African school holidays can be difficult. There is a range of wonderful accommodation options in Pemba. A great option would be the Pemba Beach Hotel and Spa which has wonderful Arabian inspired architecture.