
- Destinations
- Mozambique
- Quirimbas Beach Holiday
MOZAMBIQUE’S SECRET GETAWAY
A set of coral islands strung along the remote northern Mozambique coast, the Quirimbas Archipelago has only recently become accessible to travellers and offers one of the most exclusive beach holiday destinations in Africa.
It’s a landscape of almost luminous blue water punctuated by slivers of palm-covered islands, some with colonial ruins and traditional silversmiths; others completely uninhabited except for a lodge – perhaps a sleek eco-retreat or honeymoon hideaway. You’ll have the beach to yourself in many cases, and the luxury of exploring at an unhurried pace: there are turtle nesting sites to visit, coral reefs lying a few metres offshore and desert-island picnics to enjoy.
You’ll need to fly in: the islands of Quirimbas are accessed by light plane or helicopter from the coastal town of Pemba, which lies less than a 3-hour flight away from Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport. This makes it easy to combine a Quirimbas beach holiday with South Africa’s top travel destinations – the Kruger National Park and Cape Town – as well as places further afield such as Botswana.
More remote than the more established Bazaruto Archipelago, the Quirimbas are especially good for honeymoons, romantic travel and special occasions – the accommodation available tends to be small, intimate and luxurious with spas and fine dining. And for scuba divers, the reef diving is superior to anywhere else in Mozambique.
The best time for a Quirimbas beach holiday is between May and September when rainfall and temperatures are at their lowest, although bear in mind that temperatures throughout the year rarely fall below 24°C (75°F) even at night. This period happily coincides with the best time for diving in the Quirimbas as well as for safaris in South Africa and Botswana.
Temperatures build in October and November and the rains begin, peaking over January and February. Visit the Quirimbas at this time and you can expect heavy rain on occasion but cyclones are rare in northern Mozambique compared to the south of the country.
Take a look at our top Quirimbas experiences for inspiration and browse our range of pre-packaged tours that include a Quirimbas beach holiday on their itineraries with a big game safari. Alternatively, simply contact us with your requirements and we’ll put together a tailor-made tour for you.
Quirimbas Beach Holiday on the map
TOP EXPERIENCES
RELAX; EXPLORE; RECHARGE

The Quirimbas were made to be enjoyed … at a slow pace. This is where you really do kick off your shoes & nestle down into a hammock with a book. Our top lodges have in-house spas & wellness centres as well as private pools, room service & fine dining.

Sail away on a dhow, paddle a kayak along a mangrove forest, strap on a tank & go scuba diving or put on a mask, snorkel & fins & cruise the local reef – the waters around the Quirimbas are warm, clear & home to some of the best dive sites in the Indian Ocean. We recommend Vamizi & Quilalea islands for getting underwater.

Like a family, each island has a peculiar character & you have a chance to sample some on an island-hopping tour; many islands are small – perfect for a private picnic – but visit Ibo Island for a taste of colonial history & the chance to see traditional silversmiths at work.

Much of the Quirimbas is protected as a marine reserve & consequently this is a place to see baby turtles hatching, pods of dolphins & migrating whales (June to October) as well as a surprisingly long list of birds – head for Ibo & Vamizi islands for the best bird watching.

More than 50 types of game fish occur in the waters around the Quirimbas Archipelago, making it a great destination for keen anglers whether on a deep-sea fishing excursion or fly-fishing adventure – ask us about lodges that adhere to catch-&-release fishing policies.

Experience the extraordinary with Safari Online, let us tailor-make your trip to Africa. Combine a Safari with a Beach Holiday.
ACCOMMODATION
OUR RECOMMENDED BEACH LODGES


