Tanzania
Zanzibar (Stone Town) → Pemba
Azam Marine’s link from Stone Town on Unguja to Pemba, the greener, far less visited northern island of the Zanzibar archipelago, known for clove plantations and diving off its west coast.
Zanzibar (Stone Town) to Pemba ferry at a glance
The ferry from Zanzibar (Stone Town) to Pemba takes 2h 15m – 6h 30m across the Indian Ocean (Pemba Channel), operated by Azam Marine. Both vehicles and foot passengers are carried. Typical frequency: one sailing a day on most days of the week.
Crossing times and frequencies are typical figures and vary by season. Confirm the current timetable with the operator or booking partner before you travel. Route facts last reviewed 2026-09-29.
Sources: eweb-prod-azmc.carus.com · azammarine.com · azammarine.com · azammarine.com · How we verify
Return crossing: Pemba to Zanzibar (Stone Town)
Azam Marine also sails Pemba to Zanzibar (Stone Town), taking 2h 15m – 6h 30m. Pemba–Zanzibar sailings also leave in the morning (07:30 or 08:00) and take between 2h 15m and 6h 30m depending on the sailing.
Zanzibar (Stone Town) to Pemba ferry timetable & sailing pattern
One departure a day on five days a week in the sampled week (Zanzibar → Pemba Wednesday–Sunday; Pemba → Zanzibar Thursday–Monday), leaving between 07:30 and 09:00
Crossing times vary by sailing: the booking engine shows 2h 15m and 3h crossings on some days and 6h 30m (07:30 → 14:00) on others.
Published departure times
- Zanzibar 07:30
- Zanzibar 08:00
- Zanzibar 09:00
Return: Pemba–Zanzibar sailings also leave in the morning (07:30 or 08:00) and take between 2h 15m and 6h 30m depending on the sailing.
Timetables change by season and date. Check exact departures for your travel date on the official timetable.
Official Azam Marine timetable →Check prices & book on Ferryscanner →Source: Azam Marine online booking (availability, 30 Sep – 5 Oct 2026). Verified 2026-09-29.
Maritime Crossing Route Map
Interactive sea passage between Zanzibar (Stone Town) and Pemba
Ready to cross from Zanzibar (Stone Town) to Pemba?
Book your crossing with Ferryscanner: live fares, availability and sailing times.
Operators on This Route
| Operator | Crossing Time | Vessels |
|---|---|---|
| Azam Marine | 2h 15m – 6h 30m | Kilimanjaro-series fast catamarans, Azam Sea Link 1, Azam Sea Link 2 |
Route Features
Vehicles
Cars, campervans, and motorbikes accepted
Foot Passengers
Walk-on passengers welcome
Pets
No pet facilities
Distance
55 nautical miles
Getting There & Onward Transport
- Azam Marine’s ro-ro vessels Azam Sea Link 1 and 2 carry vehicles and cargo between Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Pemba and Tanga
- Azam Marine also sells Pemba–Tanga and Dar es Salaam–Pemba journeys
Tips for the Zanzibar (Stone Town) to Pemba Crossing
- Azam Marine’s luggage allowance is 25 kg per person; extra luggage is charged
- Children under 5 cannot be booked online; child fares apply from 5 to 11 years