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Back to Pemba

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Voykit pocket guide · Mozambique

Pemba

Spend 2–3 days in Pemba for diving, snorkeling and historic sites; skip if you only have a few hours.

Pemba, the capital of Cabo Delgado, sits on a large natural bay with a coral reef, colonial architecture and easy access to the Quirimbas islands. A short stay (2–3 days) lets you dive, snorkel, visit St. Paul's Cathedral and the historic market, and take a day trip to nearby islands. Longer trips are better for multi‑day fishing or island hopping.

BeiraChimoioCuambaIboIlha de MozambiqueInhambaneInhassoroLichingaMatemo IslandMedjumbeMorrunguloMutararaNampulaPonta d'OuroPemba500 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Mozambique
Best months
May–Nov (dry season)
Avoid
Dec–Apr (hot rainy season)
Stay
2–3 nights

Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.

Essentials

Currency
MZN
Money
Currency is the Mozambican metical (MZN, MT). Cards work in Maputo and larger lodges; markets, small restaurants and transport are cash.
Daily spend
Budget MZN 300–500 excl. bed · Mid MZN 500–900 excl. bed · High MZN 900+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
SIM and data
Vodacom, Movitel and Tmcel are the networks; Vodacom has the widest coverage along the southern coast.
Emergency
Police 119 · Ambulance 117 · Fire 198
Plugs
Types C, F, M · 220 V · 50 Hz · South African large round-pin (M) common in the south; bring an adapter for both.
Tipping
Restaurant: About 10% if no service charge.; Dive crew: US$5–10 per day in the tip jar.; Lodge staff: US$5–10 per guest per day in the box.; Car guards: 20–50 MT.
Water
Not safe from the tap; lodges provide filtered water.
Toilets
Flush toilets in hotels and restaurants; basic outside towns.

What things cost

ItemPrice
CoffeeMZN 30–50
Meal (seafood plate)MZN 150–300
Taxi airport‑town (15 km (9.3 mi))MZN 250–350
Snorkel gear hire (half‑day)MZN 200–350

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

POL · Pemba Airport
International flights to Johannesburg, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam; domestic from Maputo, Beira, Nampula

Typical fares

Airport → town (taxi)
about MZN 300 (≈ $5) 15 km (9.3 mi), check
Boat to Ibo Island
≈ MZN 800–1,200 round‑trip, check
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card

Get around

Taxis are common; minibuses run the main road; walking works in town centre; arrange boat trips for island visits.

See and do

Known for

  • Coral reef diving
  • Snorkeling at Wimbe Beach
  • Portuguese colonial architecture
  • Quirimbas islands gateway

Day trips

WhereHowTime
Quirimbas Islands (Ibo)Boat from Pemba harbour, 30–45 min≈1 h total
Nacole Baobab (Pemba Dive & Bush Camp)Short walk from the dive camp≈15 min
Ngezi Forest (jungle hike)Motorbike or guide from town, 1 h drive≈2 h total

Sleep

Pemba Magic Lodge
Budget camping/bungalow, 3 km (1.9 mi) from Wimbe Beach
Nautilus Beach Resort
Mid‑range thatched bungalows, restaurant and casino
Londo Lodge
Splurge boutique resort, private beach, diving centre

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
Hello / Excuse meOláola
How much does this cost?Quanto custa?kwanto kusa
I would like water, pleaseQuero água, por favorkero aiva por favor

Etiquette, safety and scams

Etiquette

  • Greeting: 'Bom dia' and a handshake, then your question; avoid: Skipping greetings with officials
  • Police stops: Calm, polite, documents ready; avoid: Arguing or offering money
  • Dress: Cover up off the beach; avoid: Bikinis in town
  • Photos: Ask first; avoid: Police, soldiers, buildings

Scams and watch-outs

  • Roads can be potholed; drive cautiously.
  • Check current security advice for Cabo Delgado; some areas are restricted.

Pemba is generally safe for daytime tourism, but Cabo Delgado province has active security concerns: check your government's travel advice before booking. Avoid walking alone at night on quiet streets; use taxis after dark. Theft from cars and petty theft at markets occur.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Pemba yet. Suggested stay: 2–3 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Coral reef diving
  • Snorkeling at Wimbe Beach
  • Portuguese colonial architecture
  • Quirimbas islands gateway

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Pemba

Para este endereço, por favor

To this address, please

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

US consular services are in Maputo; check for updates.

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/pemba). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.