Pemba Island
Disconnect from everything
Far away from civilization
Just to be clear: This is a remote island off the east coast of Africa, and probably as far away from civilisation you might ever find yourself. The Manta Resort is not a typical 5 star luxury resort and certainly different to what you might find on other tropical islands. If you’re expecting bling bling bling you will be disappointed. If you however are looking for serenity, close encounters with nature and a close knit family of people we look forward to sharing our island with you.
Switch off your noisy, pressurised, polluted electronic world and enter a completely different one – not as a tourist, but as a sentient human being with simple needs – sunshine, fresh sweet-smelling air, natural food, a pristine comfortable bed and friendly company to care for you and yours. All to be found folded into the edge of a primitive forest and set on rising land overlooking the purest, most turquoise waters that ever caught your breath – these waters hide secrets of the most exquisite kind – coral reefs unspoilt – and they are fringed by snow white, delicately soft sand on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
History
Pemba Island has been separated from the mainland of Tanzania and Zanzibar for decades, leaving an untouched and pristine island of great beauty and fertility. The mosaic of forests, swamps, mangroves, hidden beaches and lagoons is scattered with the ruins of mosques and tombs mostly reclaimed by the forest – sites that date back to Arab domination when Pemba Island was seized by the Sultan of Muscat (Oman) in the 17th century. He loved the Spice Islands and established his court in Zanzibar and ruled Muscat from there.
The Clove island
Pemba is still the predominant global producer of cloves yielding around 70% of all the world’s cloves, but now plays its more traditional role of being an island paradise with small inter-island trade. Pemba Island also has a strong reputation as a ‘magic’ island, a centre for ju-ju traditions of medicine and wizardry.
Chake Chake harbour
Chake Chake harbour is mainly used for swimming & fishing. When the Western Colonial powers came to East Africa the British forced the Sultanates of Muscat and Zanzibar to separate and then administered the Spice Islands in the name of the Sultan.
Untouched territory
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Pemba Island has a rich history that dates back over a thousand years. It was a key trading hub in the Indian Ocean, attracting Arab, Persian, and Indian merchants. The island became part of the Sultanate of Zanzibar in the 19th century and played a significant role in the global spice trade, particularly in the production of cloves. Ancient ruins, such as those at Ras Mkumbuu and Ndagoni, reflect its long-standing cultural and commercial importance.
The island’s fertile soil and ideal climate make it perfect for clove cultivation, which has been a cornerstone of its economy for centuries. Walking through Pemba, you’ll often catch the sweet and spicy aroma of drying cloves in the air, a distinctive scent that has become synonymous with this lush, tropical paradise.
Pemba Island, part of the Zanzibar Archipelago off Tanzania’s coast, is famous for its pristine coral reefs, making it a top destination for diving and snorkeling. Known as the “Green Island,” it produces a variety of spices, including cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Pemba also has a rich history of traditional medicine, with local healers using the island’s diverse flora for medicinal purposes. Additionally, the island features historical sites, ancient ruins, and Swahili settlements, reflecting its cultural heritage. Its untouched landscapes, including mangroves, forests, and secluded beaches, make it a prime spot for ecotourism.
