Pemba sits on the northern Mozambique coast and serves as the main access point for diving the surrounding Indian Ocean reefs. The water is warm throughout the year, peaking in March and cooling slightly between July and September. Sites range from very shallow reef patches suitable for beginners through to wall and drift dives that demand advanced skills, and the variety means most experience levels can find something here. Recorded species include whale sharks, green sea turtles, Napoleon wrasse, hairy frogfish, and harlequin shrimp, reflecting a reef system with both pelagic visitors and detailed macro life.
Monthly water temperature across Pemba's sites, from satellite sea-surface data corrected for depth. The band shows the site-to-site spread.
Water stays warm across all months, dipping to its coolest between July and September before climbing back through the wet season. The dry season from April to September generally brings better visibility, making it the preferred window for most divers.
Water temperature around Pemba ranges from about 26°C in July to 30°C in March, based on satellite sea-temperature data for its dive sites.
In the warm season (about 30°C) a rash guard or 3mm shorty is comfortable in Pemba; in the coldest months (about 26°C) step up to a 3mm full suit.
Fin maps 9 sites in Pemba (9 scuba diving sites).
9 more sites to explore