Chake Chake

The main town of Pemba Island, serving as the island's commercial and cultural hub with a bustling market and local character. Though modest in size, it's the gateway to exploring Pemba's beaches, diving spots, and interior villages.

Things to do

• Chake Chake Market — Explore the bustling central market where locals trade fresh produce, spices, fish, and crafts, offering an authentic window into daily island life.
• Pemba Dive Centre Excursions — Book diving or snorkeling trips from town to nearby world-class reefs and the famous Pemba Channel, known for pristine coral gardens and large pelagics.
• Ngezi Forest Reserve Visit — Trek through Pemba's last remaining indigenous forest sanctuary in the north, home to endemic birds, flying foxes, and lush coastal vegetation.
• Misali Island Day Trip — Take a boat from Chake Chake to this nearby uninhabited island with pristine beaches, snorkeling reefs, and a historic lighthouse.
• Local Spice Farms Tour — Visit working clove and nutmeg plantations surrounding Chake Chake to learn about Pemba's agricultural heritage and sample fresh spices.
• Waterfront Sunset Walk — Stroll along Chake Chake's harbor at dusk to watch traditional dhow boats return and observe the daily rhythm of the fishing community.

Food to try

• Urojo — A hearty Tanzanian street food of chopped cassava, potatoes, chickpeas, and vegetables topped with spiced broth and lime, commonly sold at market stalls.
• Pweza wa Coconut — Tender octopus stewed in rich coconut milk with local spices, reflecting Pemba's seafaring tradition and coastal cuisine.
• Pilau — Fragrant rice cooked with meat or fish, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon—Pemba's abundant spices elevate this East African staple.
• Biryani — Layered rice dish with locally caught fish or meat, infused with turmeric and other spices, showing the Swahili and Indian culinary fusion.
• Fresh Coconut Water & Juice Stands — Drink chilled young coconut water straight from the nut or fresh-pressed mango and passion fruit juices sold throughout the market and streets.

Local customs & good to know

• Greet with Respect — Use 'Habari' (hello) and 'Asante' (thank you) in Swahili; Pemba residents appreciate visitors who make effort to speak the local language.
• Dress Modestly — Cover shoulders and knees, especially when visiting markets and residential areas, as Chake Chake maintains conservative Islamic traditions.
• Market Haggling is Expected — Friendly bargaining is part of market culture; vendors expect negotiation on prices for crafts and goods, but be respectful and not aggressive.
• Friday Prayer Observance — Many shops and services close or reduce hours on Friday afternoons for Jumu'ah prayers, so plan activities accordingly around this important religious time.

Nearby

• Pemba Island — 71 km
• Vanga (Eastern Coast) — 148 km
• Misali Island (Eastern Coast) — 159 km
• Amboni Caves (Eastern Coast) — 186 km