The most rewarding excursion from Pemba is a dhow or speedboat trip out into Pemba Bay or to one of the islands at the southern edge of the Quirimbas Archipelago — Ibo and Quirimba are the famous names but require an overnight, while Quilálea and the closer sandbars are doable in a day.
On land, the Metuge area immediately inland makes a short half-day, with mangrove channels at the bay's western end and small fishing villages along the coast road.