The 10 Best Pemba Island Hotels and Resorts for Every Budget
Pemba Island is one of the most beautiful Islands in East Africa, yet a relatively undiscovered gem in the Indian Ocean.
You've seen the pictures of Pemba's pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush green forests, and you're dreaming of a vacation there.
But when you start looking at accommodation prices, your heart sinks. Some of the resorts on Pemba are incredibly expensive, and you're not sure if you can afford it.
Don't worry! There are plenty of great Pemba Island hotels and accommodation options for every budget.
In this blog post, I'm going to share my top picks for the best places to stay on Pemba Island, whether you're a backpacker on a tight budget or a luxury traveler looking for the ultimate pampering experience.
Expensive Resorts/Pemba Island Hotels
Let’s start with the guys at the top. If you’re looking for luxury and the best comfort as you visit East African islands, you’ll be more than happy to stay on Pemba Island Tanzania.
Here are my top picks for the best very expensive resorts on Pemba Island:
Fundu Lagoon (Michamvi Peninsula)
This award-winning resort is located on its private peninsula on the southwest coast, surrounded by white-sand beaches and turquoise waters.
Fundu Lagoon offers a variety of luxurious accommodation options, including private villas with plunge pools, a spa, two restaurants, and a bar.
Booking.com rating: 9.5.
What are you getting for your money? A luxurious private villa with a plunge pool, access to a private beach, a world-class spa, and two restaurants.
Price: Starting at $500 per night.
Fundu Lagoon is the perfect choice for travelers who are looking for the ultimate pampering experience on Pemba Island. With its stunning villas, world-class spa, and gourmet dining, Fundu Lagoon offers everything you need to relax and rejuvenate.
Aiyana Resort
Pemba Island’s most luxurious villa overlooking the Indian Ocean, situated on the northeastern coast. Well-received by guests on Booking.com and TripAdvisor.
Rated as the #1 choice for villas on Pemba Island, this beachfront resort promises an unforgettable retreat.
What you’re getting for the money?
Vegetarian-Friendly: For vegetarian travelers, Aiyana Retreat is a haven. The owner, Mr. Ashok Sungkar, personally oversees food requirements, even cooking meals himself.
Paradise for Honeymooners: If you're seeking the perfect honeymoon destination, look no further.
Aiyana Resort offers a stunning beach, a relaxing ambiance, and a 5-star housekeeping and restaurant experience, ensuring an unforgettable start to your journey together.
Scenic Beauty: Aiyana Resort boasts a place among the top 3 in the world for its astonishing beaches and landscape. The gardens and the beach are simply superb, providing an ideal environment to rest and rejuvenate.
Relaxation and Rejuvenation: Aiyana Resort offers more than just a beautiful setting. The spa is a must-visit, with fantastic body massages provided by highly skilled professionals. It's the perfect way to unwind and pamper yourself.
Price: Prices range from $350 to $750 per night, providing a luxurious coastal experience.
The Manta Resort - Pemba Island
The Manta resort is a famous luxurious East African resort, host to travelers who spend holidays in Zanzibar and Pemba Island.
It is located on a cliff with a beautiful beach as well as the only underwater room floating in the middle of the Pemba Channel. Ranked #2 of 10 Hotels in Pemba Island, the Manta Resort offers a unique, unhurried escape.
The Manta Resort offers guests the chance to stay in an underwater room, where they can watch the marine life swimming by. The resort also has a restaurant, bar, and spa.
What you're getting for your money
The journey to this secluded haven takes you through the ancient Ngezi forest, lush coconut palms, and rural life, leaving you with a sense of arrival – a warm welcome by Juma and his local team.
Of course, there are stunning beaches, breathtaking views, incredible scuba diving experiences in Pemba Island’s rejuvenated corals, and charming villas, all complemented by home-cooked delights and fresh seafood.
However, what makes Manta truly exceptional is its dedication to the Kwanini Foundation, working hand-in-hand with the local communities to protect precious corals, reefs, and marine life through sustainable initiatives.
It's a harmonious blend of conservation and empowerment, making your stay at Manta Resort more than just a vacation – it's a privilege.
Price: Prices from $350 per night.
Why it's a good option: The Manta Resort is the perfect choice for travelers who are looking for a truly unique and unforgettable experience.
With its underwater room, the Manta Resort offers you the chance to sleep with the fish and wake up to the sunrise over the Indian Ocean.
2. Mid-Range Resorts
If you’re not comfortable with the pricing on the expensive end of Pemba Island hotels, welcome to the mid-range pricing.
Seeking affordable accommodation in Pemba Island? Here are the top options to consider.
Here are my top picks for the best mid-range resorts on Pemba Island:
Gecko Nature Lodge- Your Affordable Retreat
Location: Near Makangale village Tanzania
If you’re looking for affordable accommodation on Pemba Island, you should absolutely consider resting on the Gecko Nature Lodge.
Discover Gecko Nature Lodge, the ultimate retreat for adventure seekers on Pemba Island. Located in a tranquil setting, their large, airy bungalows provide a comfortable haven for divers, birders, sea kayakers, and those in search of tranquility.
Rated #1 for specialty lodging on Pemba Island, with glowing reviews; 160 out of 263 on TripAdvisor are 5-star.
Rated #1 out of 28 of the best places to stay in Pemba Island on TripAdvisor.
The owner-managed lodge is also home to Pemba's first dive center, Swahili Divers.
What you’re getting for the money at Gecko Nature Lodge:
Gecko Nature Lodge features upgraded amenities, including a bar, pool, restaurant, and expansive deck for relaxation.
New secret hideaways with Hammocks and DayBeds have been created providing privacy and serenity for our guests.
While ongoing improvements are in progress, you can already enjoy spacious rooms with excellent AC and piping hot showers.
The lodge's proximity to the Great Wall diving site makes it a haven for divers of all levels.
Remember, Pemba Island is one of the best scuba diving sites in Africa. Enjoy NITROX, day and night dives, and unique excursions like sandbank tours, kayaking through mangroves, and more.
The East African menu for lunch and dinner is delightful, and the beachside sunsets are simply amazing.
Price: Experience a true island adventure with Gecko Nature Lodge, starting at just $100 for a standard room and $125 for double occupancy, including Bed and breakfast
Pemba Paradise
Location: Makangale, Tanzania
Price: $250 - $450
Pemba Paradise offer comfortable rooms with Swahili charm. Modern living, modern bathrooms double story building with some rooms overlooking the ocean.
You get clean living spaces, a large pool, and a nice beach for exploration.
The staff, are friendly and accommodating, the service is good and the food authentic.
What you’re getting for the money…
Comfortable accommodation, a big choice of cocktails, Sport Bar with TV nice sunset bar
Pemba Lodge
Location: Kiweni (Shamiani), Tanzania
Price: $130 - $425
Rating: 4.5 on TripAdvisor with 150 reviews
Pemba Lodge is an eco-friendly retreat, powered by solar energy and rainwater offering a Robinson Crusoe-like experience that will make you feel truly disconnected from the world.
What you’re getting for your money…
It's important to note that some extras, such as kayaking, come with additional costs. Occasionally, the lodge may experience minor issues like water running out in units, but these are not major concerns.
You won't find loud music; instead, you'll be serenaded by the sounds of the wind and birds.
The professional staff is always attentive to your needs, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience, even for solo travelers.
If you're seeking a Club Med-type experience, this may not be the place for you. Pemba Lodge offers a different kind of getaway, a chance to recharge your batteries and immerse yourself in the local community.
Emerald Bay Resort - Pemba Island
Location: Chokocho Village, Tanzania
Price: $200 - $300
Rating: 4.5 on TripAdvisor with 86 reviews
Emerald Bay Resort is designed with an authentic Pemba Island experience in mind. This resort is a tranquil haven, surrounded by lush tropical greenery and boasting breathtaking views of the ocean.
What You're Getting
Daily trips to a nearby sandbank are organized (weather dependent). Here, you can enjoy complimentary tents, chairs, and coolers while swimming in the bluest and clearest waters.
The resort offers a fantastic retreat from city life. The accommodations are comfortable, featuring spacious rooms with large bathrooms and massive wooden structures.
The view from your room is picture-perfect, with a blue pool just steps away. The resort also arranges daily excursions to sandbanks in the bay, including food, drinks, and stunning views – all included in your accommodation price.
Emerald Bay Resort is an ideal place to unplug and relax, making it the perfect destination for those seeking peace and quiet. With fantastic excursions, comfortable accommodations, and the warmth of the staff, it's a little paradise on Pemba Island, waiting for you to explore and relax in.
Low-Range Resorts
These are the resorts for travelers on a really tight budget. If you’re doing a travel challenge or you’re just trying to save more to do more trips, then check out these locations.
Here are my top picks for the best low-range resorts on Pemba Island:
Lala Lodge Pemba Zanzibar (Mkoani)
Location: Mkoani, Tanzania | Rating: 4.5
Price Range: $37 - $50
Ranked as the #1 hostel in Pemba Island, Lala Lodge offers an unbeatable location, with boat-watching and beachside play right at your doorstep. The friendly and welcoming staff, led by owner Dennis, ensure your stay is personal and unforgettable.
What you're getting for your money at Lala Lodge?
A unique island experience. Dennis and his team go the extra mile to make your stay special, arranging excursions to the beautiful surrounding islands and serving up delicious, abundant, and healthy meals made with high-quality local ingredients.
At just $37 - $50 per night, Lala Lodge's prices are highly competitive, especially when compared to mainstream options on Unguja.
While the rooms are basic, they are clean and come equipped with hot water and air-conditioning, offering great value for the price.
Pemba Misali Sunset Beach (Pemba)
This hotel is located in Wesha on the west coast of Pemba, overlooking the Azure Indian Ocean.
Pemba Misali Sunset Beach features a virgin beach with free private parking available on-site. Free WiFi is available in all public areas.
It’s one of the best options if you’re traveling on a budget. Comfortable, near the beach with amazing views. The beachside resort offers a variety of affordable rooms.
What You're Getting:
Pemba Misali Sunset Beach offers charming cottages, a serene beach, and breathtaking sunsets. The Sunset Beach resort also has a restaurant, bar, and swimming pool. Booking.com rating: 8.3, TripAdvisor rating: 4.0
Price: Accommodation starts at $65 per night, ensuring a peaceful stay.
Swahili Divers Bungalows
Location: Situated right on the beach on Pemba Island.
Arguably the best bungalows on Pemba Island are found here and for the most competitive prices. Swahili Divers is the perfect resort for scuba divers, freedivers, and snorkelers visiting Pemba for the thrill of underwater adventure.
Reasonably priced for the budget conscious traveller at 45 per night in the shared dormitory including breakfast is the best deal on the island
Final Thoughts
Pemba Island is one of the top Islands in Africa for a vacation or honeymoon. We hope to have answered all your worries about accommodation in Pemba Island.
If you’re looking for a luxurious experience for your holidays, you have options like The Aiyana Resort, the Manta Resort or the Fundu Lagoon. And if you’d prefer more affordable, beach-side accommodations that still provide a stellar African travel experience, go for options like the Swahili Divers Gecko Nature Lodge.
Traveling to Pemba Island for diving, forest tours, or a family vacation? Book your affordable accommodation with Gecko Nature Lodge today.
Affordable, yet super cozy accommodation in Pemba
"Gecko Nature Lodge is very comfortable and has a relaxed atmosphere. You can see flying foxes, coconut grabs, and many birds in there. The best food in all of Pemba, everything is fresh and made with love. I went to try diving with manager Mike. Special thanks to Mike for that! Im definitely going to continue to diving course. I can only recommend this place for accommodation or just to enjoy the food! Asante sana."
Asante Sana
