Many people visit the island of Zanzibar, while Pemba is often ignored. Pemba is a quite backwater with little transportation off the main road. The only way to get around is by Jeepney (jitney bus converted into a jeep).

There are several interesting sites on Pemba. The ruins of Ras Mkumbu are the oldest on the island. They lie on the peninsula, west of Chake Chake and are the remains of a Shirazi settlement that was founded in 1200 AD. To the east you'll find the remains of a palace. The Portuguese destroyed it in 1520.

There are marvellous beaches all around Pemba and most of them are protected by coral reefs. The reefs are excellent for snorkeling of scuba diving.

There are also many islets off Pemba's coast.

• Fundo is the only inhabited island in the group of islets that form the northwest reef of Pemba. The other islets in this group are Njao, Kashani, Kokota, Funzi and Uvinje. Fundo is a few miles off the coast from Wete.
• Njao is the northernmost islet on the Fundo group. It is mainly used for agricultural purposes.
• Kashani is on the same reef as Fundo but on the southernmost tip close to Ras Mkumbuu.
• Kokota is located at the southern mouth of Wete port.
• Funzi lies east of Kokota and south of Uvinje island.
• Uvinje is used for farming and located at the southern mouth of Wete port.
• The uninhabited islet of Kiweni is also known as Shamiani. It is in the southwest of Pemba, it is mainly used for farming and livestock grazing. On its southernmost tip it has a very nice beach.
• Kojani is the only inhabited island on the western side of Pemba island. Its economy is based on fishing.
• Kwata was the site of an outbreak of cholera in 1978 when travellers were quarantined before being allowed into Pemba.
• Makoongwe is a few kilometers from Mkoani. It is similar to the opposite area on Pemba with deep soils and hilly terrain. People on Makoongwe are mostly involved in farming and fishing.
• Matumbini is an islet with a dense mangrove forest. It is popular among fishermen due to the presence of rich coral reefs.
• Misali has a beautiful coral reef. It is a marine reserve.
• Mwangi is a small islet close to Mtambwe on Pemba.
• Panza is a series of islets, of which the main ones of Mtondooni and Panza, are connected by a bridge. It is the southernmost island off Pemba's coast. It features coral on the Panza side and deep soil on the Mtondooni part. Most of the inhabitats earn a living with farming and fishing.
• Vikunguni is a small islet close to the northwest group of islands.
• Yombi is a small islet east of Panza island.

Pemba has air and boat connections with Zanzibar. Most boats arrive in the town of Mkoani on the southwestern end of the island.

There are hotels and restaurants in many towns all over Pemba. Locals refer to he island as Pemba Kisiwa, or al-Jazīra al-khadrāʔ, which means green island.