The picturesque city of Pemba is the capital of Cabo Delgado province and the entrance to the Quirimbas Archipelago, a 31 island chain extending into the Indian Ocean. Virtually untouched by the outside world, here you will find some of the most exquisite and idyllic islands in the world possessing an air of romantic dilapidation.
Remote Mozambique island lodges are dotted on the Archipelago, whist our northern Mozambique tours and safaris allow you to explore this fascinating destination in detail.
The entire 7500km²Quirimbas Island holiday region is steeped in history and is a melting pot of African, Portuguese and Arabian influences. For the last 500 years it was an important trading post along the coast of East Africa, with early visitors including spice merchants, ivory smugglers, slave traders, colonial powers and even pirates!
The southern islands fall within the 1,500 square kilometres called the Quirim…
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The picturesque city of Pemba is the capital of Cabo Delgado province and the entrance to the Quirimbas Archipelago, a 31 island chain extending into the Indian Ocean. Virtually untouched by the outside world, here you will find some of the most exquisite and idyllic islands in the world possessing an air of romantic dilapidation.
Remote Mozambique island lodges are dotted on the Archipelago, whist our northern Mozambique tours and safaris allow you to explore this fascinating destination in detail.
The entire 7500km²Quirimbas Island holiday region is steeped in history and is a melting pot of African, Portuguese and Arabian influences. For the last 500 years it was an important trading post along the coast of East Africa, with early visitors including spice merchants, ivory smugglers, slave traders, colonial powers and even pirates!
The southern islands fall within the 1,500 square kilometres called the Quirimbas National Park, which was nominated as an UNESCO Heritage Site in 2008.
It is here you will find aquatic life like no other, and for divers, it features dramatic underwater vertical drops of more than 400m, making this a prime destination for "wall" diving. The walls of the drops are home to coral-covered caves and an amazingly wide variety of tropical fish including the beautiful Moorish idol, the gigantic Napoleon wrasse and colourful powder-blue surgeon-fish.
reccommended lodges for your quirimbas island holiday
Ibo Island boasts some intriguing 16th-century fortresses and has a 200-year-old "ghost" town and one of only four pentagonal forts left in Africa. The fort’s ancient cannons are still in their original position – aimed seaward at the entrance to the harbour, protecting Ibo from then marauding French traders. Ibo Island lodge is an ideal starting point on your Quirimbas island holiday before venturing out to the more remote island escapes such as Matemo Lodge and Medjumbe Private Island Lodge.
If you are looking for an eco friendly lodge with community development projects, try Guludo Beach Lodge on the mainland. This lodge combines well with Ibo Island Lodge as it is a more affordable beach holiday option, whilst not losing the luxury personalised feeling.
Nuarro Lodge offers a beach eco luxury destination set on 2.5 kilometers of isolated beachfront with a historical aspect (dhow sailing trips to Ilha de Mozambique and the opportunity to learn about the history architecture and Vasco de Gama). For those looking to add some safari conservation to their Pemba Island holiday, this combines well with the remote and untamed Gorongosa National Park which is making waves as a wildlife destination.
top 10 activities on your Quirimbas Islands holiday
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Being a culture vulture on Ibo island
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Experiencing the melting pot of Pemba
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Wall and cave diving
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Snorkelling in water as warm as a bath
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Freshly-caught seafood dinners
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Walking around a tropical island in under two hours
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Island hopping in a local dhow
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Seeing humpback whales and calves
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The spices of local cuisine
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Beach bronzing
When to travel on your Quirimba Islands holiday
Rainy season: November to April: Lots of humidity, sunshine and short, intense showers is the definition of rainy in this case. The water is a balmy 27 deg C. Temperature: 20-38 deg C
Dry season: May to October: Still warm, sunny but not so muggy, and slightly cooler water at a steady 24 deg C. A lovely time to visit.
Temperature: 15-28 deg C
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