Algae cultivation on Pemba Island (as on Ungui, Zanzibar’s main island) is a key component of the local economy and a source of income for thousands of residents, especially women. The most commonly cultivated red marine algae are those of the Eucheuma and Kappaphycus genera. They are rich in carrageenan, a gelling agent used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries.

The „sandbank” is one of the most beautiful phenomena you can witness during a visit to Shalufu Lagoon. A sandbank, or sandbar, is a temporary stretch of white sand that appears and disappears depending on the ocean tides.

Pemba Island is known as the „Spice Island,” and its symbol is the clove. For centuries, some of the largest and most important clove plantations in the world have been located here. Cloves originate from the Molucca Islands in Indonesia. Omani Arabs brought them to Zanzibar (Ungui and Pemba) in the 19th century, creating vast spice plantations. Pemba quickly became a world leader in clove production. At one point, as many as 90% of the world’s cloves came from the Zanzibar Islands. To this day, cloves are Pemba’s symbol and main export.