Pemba is the southern gateway to the Quirimbas Archipelago, a chain of coral islands stretching north along the Cabo Delgado coast and part of a national park. Visibility is normally 20–30 metres; the reefs sit close to a steep wall, and large pelagics — tuna, kingfish, occasionally hammerheads — pass through.
Several small operators run boats out of Wimbi Beach. Some offer day trips to nearby reefs; others run multi-day trips up the archipelago. Conditions are best from April to November.