Pemba is a divers' island. This trip flies you in from Zanzibar or Dar and bases you at a lodge with its own dive centre for six nights, diving the Pemba Channel's coral walls twice a day — drop-offs, gorgonian forests, reef sharks and superb visibility. Between dives there is a snorkelling and beach day at the Misali Island marine reserve, a walk in the Ngezi Forest Reserve to look for the endemic Pemba flying fox, and a tour of a working clove and spice plantation.
Best from roughly July to March. Certified divers get the most from it; a lodge dive centre can also run a certification course over the week.
Light-aircraft flight from Zanzibar or Dar es Salaam. Transfer to your lodge, a check dive and an afternoon on the beach.
Two boat dives on the channel walls — steep drop-offs, big fans, pelagics and clear water.
A day at the Misali Island marine reserve: snorkelling or shallow dives over the coral gardens, and a beach picnic.
Two more dives on Pemba's best sites, chosen for the conditions on the day.
A morning walk in the Ngezi Forest Reserve, then a tour of a working clove and spice plantation with tastings.
A last morning of diving, then the afternoon at leisure.
Transfer to the airstrip for the flight back to Zanzibar or Dar es Salaam.