Wete

Wete is the capital and largest town of Pemba Island, situated on the west coast, 35 km northeast of Chake-Chake across the island. It is the main ferry port connecting Pemba to Zanzibar Stone Town and Tanga on the mainland. The town has a relaxed, worn-in atmosphere with a large market, a deep-water harbour where fishing dhows anchor, and streets shaded by mango and clove trees.

By ferry: Daily ferries from Zanzibar Stone Town to Wete (3–4 hours). Also from Tanga (2 hours).

By plane: Pemba Airport (PMA) is near Wete, with daily flights from Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam.

By road: From Chake-Chake, a paved road runs north to Wete (35 km, 40 minutes by dala-dala).

Walking in town. For Konde, Micheweni, and the diving sites, hire a taxi (TZS 30,000–60,000).

• Wete Harbour — the busy fishing harbour with traditional dhows and the ferry terminal.

• Wete Market — a colourful market selling fresh produce, spices, dried fish, and the famous Pemba cloves.

• Pemba Museum — a small museum in the old customs building with exhibits on Pemba's history, slave trade, and clove industry.

• Old Fort — the ruins of a small 18th-century Omani fort near the harbour.

• Clove plantation walk — guided walks through the clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg plantations around Wete.

• Diving day trip — dive shops in Wete organise trips to the east coast and Misali Island.

• Sunset dhow cruise — traditional dhow sailing at sunset in the Wete channel.

• Wete Harbour Restaurant — fresh seafood (grilled prawns, octopus curry, biryani).
• Street food: mishkaki, chipsi mayai, kashata from stalls near the market.
• Local cafes: chapati and chai for breakfast.

Fresh coconut milk, sugarcane juice, and local coffee (Kahawa). Bottled water essential. As a Muslim island, alcohol is only available at resorts and large hotels.

• Budget: Wete Guesthouse, Pemba Inn.
• Mid-range: Hummingbird Lodge (garden property), Misali View Hotel.
• Luxury: The Manta Resort (on the east coast, 20 km south — world-class diving resort), Fundu Lagoon (east coast, by boat from Wete harbour).

Pemba cloves are the world's finest — sold in bulk at the market. Also: cinnamon, nutmeg, coconuts, and locally-woven mats.

Chake-Chake (35 km south, Pemba South). Konde (15 km north, dive base). Micheweni (35 km north, remote coast). Misali Island (20 km west by boat). Zanzibar Stone Town (3–4 hours by ferry). Tanga (2 hours by ferry).