Pemba Island, Tanzania Diving and Cultural Tour

SCUBA-BAY Pemba Island Diving Tour September 2026

Discover the Pristine Reefs of the Indian Ocean with SCUBA-BAY

Pemba Island, part of Tanzania's Zanzibar Archipelago, is one of East Africa's standout diving destinations, with healthy coral reefs, steep walls, strong tidal currents and rich Indian Ocean marine life. With tourist numbers still limited, the island offers a calmer, more natural travel experience both underwater and on land.

With international travel by Turkish Airlines, domestic flights to Pemba, half-board accommodation, Turkish-speaking guiding and a 5-day diving programme run with Afro Divers, we will explore the island's varied reef structures.

📅 Tour Date

26 September – 4 October 2026

🤿 Diving Programme

5 days • 10 dives in total

✈️ Transport

Return flight Istanbul – Zanzibar with Turkish Airlines and domestic flights Zanzibar – Pemba

🏨 Accommodation

6 nights' half-board accommodation

👥 Group Size

11 Participants

🇹🇷 Organisation

Over 22 years of international diving and cultural tour organisation experience

TÜRSAB Group A Travel Agency No: 9968 • TSSF Registration No. 001 Dive Centre

About Pemba

One of the Indian Ocean's Calm and Pristine Diving Destinations

Pemba Island, lying north of Tanzania's Zanzibar Archipelago, is known for its natural setting untouched by heavy tourism and its healthy coral ecosystems. The reefs around the island, with the rich fish life and varied underwater topography typical of the Indian Ocean, offer a range of options for both experienced and less experienced divers.

One of the key factors shaping Pemba's diving character is its tidal system. The currents that form in the channels between the small islands carry nutrient-rich water onto the reefs, while also creating suitable conditions for drift dives. Many dive sites in the area feature wall structures beginning at around 12 metres and continuing down to 50 metres or deeper.

Underwater you'll find coral gardens, drop-offs, channels, caves and a variety of reef formations side by side. Sea turtles, Napoleon wrasse, barracuda schools, rays, moray eels and a dense reef fish population are among the creatures that can be observed in the area. Encounters with reef sharks and whale sharks are possible but not regular, and depend on natural conditions.

Pemba offers more than just diving; its tropical scenery, baobab trees, small settlements and atmosphere far removed from mass tourism make for a distinctive travel experience. Late September and early October also coincide with the period when humpback whales can sometimes be seen in the area, although such sightings can never be guaranteed.

• 🌍 Location: Tanzania

• 🏝️ Region: Zanzibar Archipelago – Pemba Island

• 🐠 Featured Marine Life: Sea turtles - Napoleon wrasse - Barracuda • Rays • Reef fish

• 🪸 Diving Character: Wall dives • Drift dives • Coral gardens • Channel crossings

• 🌊 Water Temperature: Varies with season and local conditions. Expected temperature in September is 25 – 26°C

• 👁️ Visibility: Depends on daily sea and current conditions. Average visibility is 20 - 40 metres

• 🤿 Diving Level: Open Water Diver and above; experience is required for some sites with currents and deeper points

⭐ WHY PEMBA WITH SCUBA-BAY?

Pemba is a destination where transport and dive operations need to be carefully planned. Reached via a domestic connection and a land transfer after the international flight from Istanbul to Zanzibar, it's important that the whole process, from flights to the diving programme, runs smoothly together.

At SCUBA-BAY, with over 22 years of experience, we take a safe, well-planned and systematic approach to organising trips abroad. Our aim is to plan every stage of the journey in advance so our guests can simply focus on their dives and their holiday.

Professional Organisation Experience

Flights, domestic connections, airport transfers, accommodation and the diving programme are all planned before travel and followed up throughout the tour.

Turkish-Speaking Guiding Service

The SCUBA-BAY team accompanies our guests throughout the trip. Turkish-language support is provided for anything you need relating to transport, accommodation, diving and the daily programme.

Diving Operations with Afro Divers

Dives are carried out with Afro Divers, who operate in north-west Pemba. With their fast boats, Afro Divers can reach more than 25 dive sites in the area and plan dives in small groups.

More Efficient Dives in Small Groups

Our tour is limited to 11 participants. Afro Divers also takes a small-group approach to its diving operations and states that it applies a maximum ratio of four divers per guide.

Reliable and Legal Organisation

As a licensed TÜRSAB travel agency, SCUBA-BAY carries out its overseas organisations under Package Tour Legislation.

One of Turkey's Longest-Established Dive Centres

SCUBA-BAY, registered as Turkey's first dive centre with the Turkish Underwater Sports Federation under registration number 001, has been running diving courses and overseas diving organisations for many years.

Support Before the Journey Begins, Confidence Throughout

From visas, the compulsory Zanzibar insurance, flights and equipment preparation to pre-trip briefings and right through to the tour's return, the whole organisation process is followed up by our team.

Tour Summary

🌍 Destination

Pemba Island – Zanzibar Archipelago – Tanzania

📅 Tour Date

26 September – 4 October 2026

✈️ Transport

Turkish Airlines flights Istanbul – Zanzibar and local airline flights Zanzibar – Pemba

🏨 Accommodation

6 nights' half-board accommodation on Pemba Island

🤿 Diving Programme

5 days • 10 dives in total

🎓 Minimum Diving Level

Open Water Diver or equivalent certification

👥 Group Size

Maximum 11 participants

🇹🇷 Organisation

• Turkish-speaking guiding service
• Expert SCUBA-BAY organisation team
• TÜRSAB-licensed Package Tour assurance
• Over 22 years of international diving and travel organisation experience

Tour Highlights

• Diving on Pemba Island, away from mass tourism

• 10 dives in total over 5 days

• Healthy hard and soft coral reefs

• Wall and drift dives

• Small-group diving operation with Afro Divers

• International travel with Turkish Airlines

• Return domestic flights Zanzibar – Pemba

• 6 nights' half-board accommodation

• Turkish-speaking guiding service

Pemba's Diving World

Dive sites in Pemba are not chosen along a fixed route but selected daily by the local dive centre team according to weather, tide, current, visibility and the group's experience level.

Pristine Coral Reefs

Pemba's reefs are known for their healthy hard and soft coral formations, kept from heavy tourism pressure. Reef fish and macro life also offer a wide variety for underwater photographers.

Wall Dives

Many sites in the area consist of steep walls starting at around 12 metres and continuing down to 50 metres or deeper. The dive profile is set according to the group's certification and experience level.

Drift and Channel Dives

The tidal range around Pemba creates strong water movement between the small islands. In the channels locally known as "gaps", drift dives can be made when conditions allow.

Coral Gardens and Sheltered Sites

Pemba is not only about strong currents and deep walls. There are also more sheltered coral gardens and calmer dive sites. This means the daily programme can be adapted to the group's experience and the sea conditions.

Rich Marine Life

Turtles, barracuda, Napoleon wrasse, rays, moray eels and numerous reef fish species typical of the Indian Ocean can be observed. Reef sharks and whale sharks are occasionally seen, though these encounters are not regular.

Important Notice

Dive sites and dive profiles are determined daily according to weather, tide, current and safety conditions. For this reason, a visit to any particular dive site, or a sighting of any particular species, can never be guaranteed.

Flight Information

• Outbound – Turkish Airlines

26.09.2026 – 18:30 → 01:55

Istanbul (IST) → Zanzibar (ZNZ)

• Domestic – Outbound

27.09.2026 – 07:30 → 08:00

Zanzibar (ZNZ) → Pemba (PMB)

• Domestic – Return

03.10.2026 – 18:15 → 18:45

Pemba (PMB) → Zanzibar (ZNZ)

• Return – Turkish Airlines

04.10.2026 – 02:55 → 12:15

Zanzibar (ZNZ) → Istanbul (IST)

Airlines may change flight times for operational reasons. SCUBA-BAY is not responsible for such changes.

Tour Price

Our tour price is $3,350. The price is calculated per person for accommodation in a standard double room and for 5 days with 10 dives in total.

The tour price for non-diving participants is $2,850.

The single accommodation supplement is $400.

Ready to Discover Pemba?

Get in touch with us to discover the coral reefs and distinctive diving character of Pemba Island, away from mass tourism, with a SCUBA-BAY organised tour.

Our group size is limited to 11 participants.

Phone: +90 312 419 12 61

WhatsApp: 0 532 296 67 78

Important Information

• When travelling to Tanzania, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date.
• Most foreign passport holders need a tourist visa to enter Tanzania. The visa can be obtained on arrival or in advance as an e-visa. To avoid long queues, visas should be purchased before arrival (at least three weeks in advance)
• The cost of a Tanzania tourist visa is $50 for most travellers. If you would like Scuba-Bay to arrange this on your behalf, there is a $5 service fee.
• Compulsory health insurance: whether or not you have personal insurance, you will need to take this out before entering the country; it costs $44 per person (in addition to the visa). This travel insurance covers travellers in Tanzania against unexpected illness or other uncertainties. Basic coverage includes: emergency medical expenses and repatriation costs (personal and medical), personal accident, baggage delay, theft and loss, legal expenses, liability, etc. If you would like Scuba-Bay to arrange this on your behalf, there is a $5 service fee.

The visa forms can be found at the following link: TANZANIA VISA LINK

The compulsory health insurance application can be made at the following address: ZANZIBAR COMPULSORY INSURANCE LINK

• Number of Days: 7
• Number of Participants: 11