pemba afloat pemba island

Pemba Afloat runs a live-aboard scuba diving operation on Pemba Island, near Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean.

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I hope this has given you the information you need to come and share our little piece of paradise but if you need any further information or help with bookings or transfers please do not hesitate to contact us.

Zanzibar Magic currently takes bookings on: info@zanzibarmagic.com

The Yacht Karibu and the yacht Sitra, sixty foot Ketches,lying in Njao Lagoon,are a base from which to explore this Indian Ocean haven. Pemba Afloat is fully equipped with scuba diving gear.

Pemba Afloat is right on the doorstep of the famous waters of the Pemba Channel and big game fishing can be organised on request with accommodation on the yachts.

Pemba Afloat offers accommodation for 12 people .Has 2 Ribs, canoe, a small sailing dinghy and a dhow for pottering about the creeks and bays or for picnics on the long white sandy beaches.

Pemba island is 30 miles north of Zanzibar and is famous for it's spices and coconuts.

Isolated from Arab and then European colonization, it has remained completely untouched and unspoiled  by any modern development.

The few visitors that do go to Pemba go there for it's diving and snorkelling.

Pemba has without doubt some of the clearest water in the world.

Offshore, the island hosts a fascinating, and often unique, array of colorful marine life that swarms on the pristine coral reefs.

Steep walls drop off to undiveable depths, and the water stays deep and dark blue to within a few meters of the shore.

The bottom then rises dramatically to form almost vertical cliffs topped by a shallow shelf, where the color of the water becomes turquoise.

In shallower waters- mostly above 20 meters- the walls are densely covered in coral growths and formations of every description; below that, colorful sponges and huge gorgonian sea fans adorn the sides.

Along the deeper waters of the Pemba channel, the lush coral gardens often stretch as far as the eye an see; underwater visibility sometimes reaches up to 60m

Pemba is indeed an underwater naturalists dream,and the opportunity to discover, and even name a new species is always present in this marine paradise.

The Ngezi forest , which is a protected indigenous forest,offers fascinating walks for botanist or birdwatching enthusiasts. A visit to Mesali Island Marine Reseve is a day long trip that is an enhancement both visually and as an education.

Pemba Afloat was officially registered in 1999 as a result of many
visits to Pemba since the early 90's so it is no boast to say that they
are the most experienced Pemba dive operation.

Owned and managed by Philip
and Charlie Mason who are both born and brought up in East Africa and
have lived in the area much of their lives.

Anita Jones is a PADI instructor who likewise has fallen under the spell of Pemba and its wonderful diving.

Juma, Ali and Dulla who are from the nearby village will all help to make your stay enjoyable.


Pemba Afloat has three comfortable 20 metre yachts on permanent
moorings. KARIBU offers accommodation for up to 8 people but we limit this to 4 to ensure comfort and a degree of privacy. SITRA is the dive centre and Anita's accommodation and offers the huge double-bedded aft cabin for guests (very popular with honeymooners!) and twin births forward. LIZ is where Charlie and I live and by splitting the
accommodation up like this we are able to offer a degree of privacy
not usually available on liveaboard accommodation.

Pemba Afloat is situated in the tranquil waters of the Njao Inlet at
the North Western end of Pemba Island. (4.56'S 39.39'E for those who
care to look it up). The reasons we chose this remote, exotic and
unspoilt spot are many, but the absolute peacefulness and incredible
beauty are some. We also chose to position ourselves as close as
possible to what we consider to be the best diving in Pemba. Water
clarity and unspoit reefs just 10 minutes from the boats make our dive boat trips a pleasure.


Pemba offers a range of diving from totally inexperienced to very
exhilarating. We are happy to offer PADI tuition from Discover Scuba
to Dive master all of which gives you the opportunity to see some of
our fabulous walls, overhangs, swim throughs and of course the never
ending variety of fish and marine life.
Our equipment is mostly 'Oceanic'. Our dive boats are two hard body
ribs with Yamaha and Mariner engines.
Our diving? Well if a picture tells a thousand words just go back to
our website and click on the icon 'more pictures' all of which were
taken here over the last couple of years.

We definitely recommend you fly. Coastal Aviation and Zanair both
offer two flights a day from Zanzibar all of which land at Chake Chake
airport from where we arrange a transfer to the yachts. This in itself
is a fascinating 1 ½ hour safari through progressively more and more rural landscape and villages. Should you arrive during the clove
picking season it is a sensory overload!

Whereas we are primarily a dive operation this should in no way
dissuade you from coming to enjoy the pristine white beaches and
crystal clear water that has led to the expression we use 'Pemba Blue'
to describe the transition of colours from palest turquoise to cobalt
blue.
Njao inlet forms the southern boundary of the Ngezi forest reserve, an
indigenous coastal hardwood forest protected since the days of the
Sultan. A gentle stroll through the bridleways is a birdwatchers
paradise and might disclose the elusive Pemba Grey Duiker.
Juma and Ali would be proud to show you their village of Mkia ya Ngombe.
Snorkeling within 20 metres of the boats is a fine way to start the day.
Food, which is always fresh from the fisherman's catch of the day,
seems to figure prominently in the visitor's book.
Trips up the mangrove creeks and spice tours in the local villages
give you plenty to do if you so desire but Spanish guest recently
quoted a proverb "sometimes it is good to sleep … and then to rest …"

The yachts have a fully supplied medical bag including oxygen, but you should bring any prescription drugs or treatment with you. Although Pemba is a malarial area the boats are moored far enough offshore that we get no mosquitoes which makes sleeping on deck under the stars listening to the nearby bush babies a memorable experience.


 

Sleeps:  8

Description:  Accommodation in double cabin with private bathroom (shower, toilet) NO HOT WATER

Costs

Full board US$ 100 per person per night

Diving US$ 40 per dive
Night Dive US$ 60
Discover Scuba US$ 60
Open Water Course US$ 350
Advanced Course US$ 250

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