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Major city · Mozambique

Pemba

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

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

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.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
MZN
Best months
May–Nov (dry season)
avoid Dec–Apr (hot rainy season)
Airport
POL
Nights
2–3

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Pemba: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
  • Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
  • Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
  • Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
  • Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
  • Mozambique ↗Many Western passports are visa-exempt for 30 days but still need an approved travel authorisation from the official evisa.gov.mz portal before departure; it cannot be bought on arrival.
  • Mozambique ↗Carry your passport or a certified copy at all times; police document checks are common.
  • Mozambique ↗Governments advise against travel to parts of Cabo Delgado province in the north; check your own government's advice for the exact areas.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Pemba119 ▾

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Pemba, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Coral reef divingSnorkeling at Wimbe BeachPortuguese colonial architectureQuirimbas islands gateway
Airports
POL Pemba Airport (International flights to Johannesburg, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam; domestic from Maputo, Beira, Nampula)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    32°C (90°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    32°C (90°F)

  3. Mar

    Avoid

    32°C (90°F)

  4. Apr

    Avoid

    31°C (88°F)

  5. May

    Best

    29°C (84°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    28°C (82°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    28°C (82°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    29°C (84°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    30°C (86°F)

  10. Oct

    Best

    31°C (88°F)

  11. Nov

    Best

    32°C (90°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    32°C (90°F)

Best: May–Nov. Avoid: Dec–Apr. Month by month →

Warmest Jan (32°C (90°F)), coolest Jul (17°C (63°F) low), wettest Mar (14 rain days), driest Aug (2). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Pemba: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

32°C (90°F)

22°C (72°F)

13 rd

Feb

32°C (90°F)

22°C (72°F)

12 rd

Mar

32°C (90°F)

22°C (72°F)

14 rd

Apr

31°C (88°F)

21°C (70°F)

11 rd

May

29°C (84°F)

19°C (66°F)

6 rd

Jun

28°C (82°F)

18°C (64°F)

4 rd

Jul

28°C (82°F)

17°C (63°F)

3 rd

Aug

29°C (84°F)

18°C (64°F)

2 rd

Sep

30°C (86°F)

19°C (66°F)

2 rd

Oct

31°C (88°F)

21°C (70°F)

4 rd

Nov

32°C (90°F)

22°C (72°F)

7 rd

Dec

32°C (90°F)

22°C (72°F)

11 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

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

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Quirimbas Islands (Ibo)

go

Door to door: ≈1 h total

Boat from Pemba harbour, 30–45 min

Snorkel and historic Ibo town.

Nacole Baobab (Pemba Dive & Bush Camp)

go

Door to door: ≈15 min

Short walk from the dive camp

Visit the ancient baobab and mangrove estuary.

Ngezi Forest (jungle hike)

caution

Door to door: ≈2 h total

Motorbike or guide from town, 1 h drive

Hire a guide; fee about MZN 1,200–3,600 (check).

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

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

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
MZN 300–500 excl. bed
Mid
MZN 500–900 excl. bed
High
MZN 900+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency

Prices of common things

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

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

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

Emergency numbers

Police
119
Ambulance
117
Fire
198

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

PembaPemba

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

Para este endereço, por favorTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police119
  • Ambulance117
  • Fire198

Embassy

US consular services are in Maputo; check for updates.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Airport → town (taxi): about MZN 300 (≈ $5) 15 km (9.3 mi), check
  • Boat to Ibo Island: ≈ MZN 800–1,200 round‑trip, check

Say or show

  • Olá — Hello / Excuse me (ola)
  • Quanto custa? — How much does this cost? (kwanto kusa)
  • Quero água, por favor — I would like water, please (kero aiva por favor)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Pemba. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Nov (dry season) · avoid Dec–Apr (hot rainy season) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 3 day-trips, door to door
  6. 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
  2. Walking clusters with bag rules
  3. Day plans checked against opening hours
  4. Field-verified times and fares

Meanwhile

Back to Mozambique

Sources

Ask about Pemba

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