Choose your pearl from the string of 32 islands floating way out in the Indian Ocean off Pemba Bay, the scintillating Quirimbas Archipelago, a Mozambique island holiday that beats Mauritius or the Maldives. Find luxury accommodation in island villas and historical hotels then cruise around ‘Ilhas Quirimbas’ on a luxury yacht or traditional dhow, exploring the diverse, gorgeous isles, packed with untouched coral reefs and dive sites.
Mangrove swamps offer bird sanctuaries and fishermen wander around as their families tend homegrown vegetables. Tall coconut palms create shady havens and skilled dive instructors appear out of nowhere to take you on a course to see a fantasy underwater wonderland.
Originally home to fishing settlements, the islands’ population grew around Arab trading posts and throve under the Portuguese trading routes when it was known as the Ilhas de São Lázaro (Islands of St. Lazarus) during the 16th century. Today, many of the islands are inhabited and Ibo was a prime trading centre in previous centuries when Arabs controlled the trade route and then the Portuguese made it a colony.
The Quirimbas Archipelago stretches from Pemba (the capital of Cabo Delgado Province) to the Rovuma River, the natural border between Tanzania and Mozambique. These islands remain unspoiled and 11 of them form the National Park.
Discover a veritable divers’ paradise where Bottlenose and Humpback dolphins breed and explore the unique Quilalea Marine Sanctuary 55km north of Pemba by boat then swim, collect shells, watch whales and snorkel.
Plan a Mozambique tour and safari with Voyage2Africa, the African travel experts, and enjoy signature experiences to premier island destinations south of the equator. We bring you thrilling adventures in the infinite spaces of the great Indian Ocean islands in Northern Mozambique. Choose a lavish villa resort with luxury facilities and get ready to explore more of Ilhas Quirimbas soon. We offer you some of the best accommodation and special packages in Mozambique to expand your holiday in true African style.
Enjoy the best of Quirimbas beach accommodation at Ibo Island Lodge, where you can experience the culture and the slow-paced tempo of island living. You can spend your holiday doing as little or as much as you like, enjoying the many exhilarating activities available on and around the island. Villas are brimming with outside showers, deep bathtubs, air conditioning and fans, minibars, tea and coffee-making facilities, private decks with plunge pools and personal butlers too!
You can choose to own your own piece of paradise at the quintessential Anantara Medjumbe, often booked for exceptional sole-use accommodation with its restaurant on a deck complete with a dazzling swimming pool. Honeymooners can dine on the beach by candlelight or enjoy espressos and cocktails at the bar where internet access is a bonus.
The Quirimbas are renowned for their pristine coral reefs and rich marine life, offering some phenomenal opportunities for diving and snorkelling in warm, crystal-clear waters. Book one of our resort and hotel package deals to this idyllic place and enjoy total escapism in one of the most magnificent places on earth.
The Quirimbas National Park protects a large part of the archipelago’s southern side – mangroves, seagrasses, and sandy and rocky shores are important feeding areas for turtles, crab plovers and migratory birds. Find this rare conservation area in six central districts of northern Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado Province, encircling an area of some 7,500 square km, two thirds of these are on the mainland and the rest includes unparalleled island habitats.
The Quirimbas National Park’s goal is “to conserve the diversity, abundance, and ecological integrity of all physical and biological resources in the park area, so that they may be enjoyed and used productively by present and future generations”. So, the region is picky about which tourism projects and investments it allows, rather electing high-quality, low-impact responsible tourism where the communities also benefit.
Book your relaxing holiday package to the Quirimbas Archipelago to explore its timelessness, getting completely away from it all. Fishermen will love the thrill of luring game fish and other tropical species. Why not try kite surfing, the latest Quirimbas craze? Find a spa to rejuvenate your mind, body and soul. Take a boat to explore the tiny and undeveloped Islands of Ibo, Quisiva and Matemo – featuring old Portuguese settlements with a rich colonial and Swahili history. There is evidence that the culture today is an ancient mix of influences from Africa, the Arab region, India, and Europe.
Take your family on a captivating safari tour to the gorgeous beaches and island of the Quirimbas Archipelago, a haven of biodiversity and luxury accommodation. Take the kids to see underwater wonders in the National Park, untouched beaches and incredible mangroves. A few days in the Quirimbas are refreshing, educational and active too – quite a thrill for families and friends who want to be out on islands and in warm waters being active and healthy.
We show you top-of-the-range island villas and luxury resorts in this region where children will feel in awe and want to run free. There are boat rides, dune walks, scuba dives and snorkelling adventures. Get a boat and go fish. Visit the local people and taste their food. It’s a diverse holiday in paradise and family suites are available wherever you go!
