Pemba Island in September
Great time to visit
The dry season continues with reliable weather and comfortable conditions. Great all-around month for activities with moderate tourist numbers and fair pricing.
Weather
September maintains the dry season's excellent conditions with steady trade winds keeping things comfortable. Humidity creeps up slightly to 75% but remains pleasant. Rain is minimal, usually just brief passing showers.
29°C high22°C low6 rain days
Crowds & Cost
moderate crowds
~$100/day average
Events & Festivals
- •Independence Day preparations
- •Traditional harvest festivals
September Tips
- •Still excellent diving weather before seasonal transitions
- •Great month for photography with clear skies
- •Clove season begins - perfect for spice farm visits
All Months
June through September delivers the best diving conditions. The northeast monsoon calms down, visibility hits 30+ meters, and the water temperature sits at a perfect 26°C. This is also manta ray season at the northern dive sites.
December through February works well for beach lovers. The kaskazi winds keep temperatures comfortable, and you'll get those dramatic afternoon thunderstorms that clear quickly. The spice harvest happens during this period, filling the air with clove and cardamom scents.
Avoid April and May completely. The long rains turn dirt roads into mud rivers and diving becomes impossible. Many lodges close during this period.
March and October can go either way. You might catch perfect weather or get stuck in unexpected downpours. But prices drop significantly, and you'll have beaches to yourself.
The water stays warm year-round, never dropping below 24°C. But visibility varies dramatically with the seasons — from crystal clear in July to murky green during the rains.
Pemba Island Scores
Solo
7/10
Couples
9/10
Families
6/10
Adventure
8/10
Budget
6/10
Luxury
7/10
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