"Mozambique Quirimbas  Island  Lodge."

Quilálea Luxury Private Island

• "an instant classic - one of the world's top 100 best hotels" - Condé Nast "Traveler"
• "real African relaxation in privacy, with impeccable service" - Ursula on SABCTV "Top Billing"
• "a jewel in Africa, upliftingly well done" - London Evening Standard
• "the best resort in Mozambique, by far" - New York Post
• " a honeymooners paradise for rent"- «Indico» LAM inflight magazine
• " Quilalea - the luxury island in fashion " - "Mais" revista Portuguese

It is one of the most biodiverse marine areas in the world. Dugongs graze in seagrass meadows, fish eagles perch in tall mangroves, turtles nest on white beaches, and humpback whales shelter their young in Quilálea's deep channel.

Fish abound. A wide variety of gamefish species can be taken from the complex of habitats formed by the Quirimba Archipelago itself, while the Saint Lazarus Bank due east of Quilálea is a hotspot for tuna and billfish. Both the Archipelago and the Bank have yet to be discovered by big game fishermen.

Quilálea offers a full range of diving experiences. A reef just off the beach provides sheltered diving and snorkelling for the beginner. Lobsters abound and sightings of sea turtle are common. More experienced divers will want to explore the big walls of the Montepuez channel on the southern edge of the sanctuary. Caves and currents combine to create an underwater paradise, inhabited by reef and pelagic fish of every size and description. The most adventurous will head for the Saint Lazarus Bank, recognised as having the best unexplored diving in the world.

ACCOMMODATION

ISLAND VILLAS: Quilálea opened in November 2002 and accommodates 18 guests in 9 "island villas". Each villa is a comfortable 45 squares metres in size with an antique stylized shower, vanity and fittings. Enormous windows let in the breeze and the view. Natural rock walls, makuti thatch, and colonial ceiling fans keep you cool by day. Furniture is crafted from indigenous teak and mahogany by local carpenters in the creole Muani style. A king-size bed draped in a romantic net completes the African/Arabian luxury. Every villa overlooks the sea.

The restaurant and lounge is no more than a two minute's walk from the most distant villa. Set on a peninsula at the north end of the island, the restaurant offers beautiful ocean views to both the west and the east. Come and revel in the flavours and spices of Mozambican cuisine influenced by Portugal and Goa.

THE MARINE PAVILION: looks west over the Quilálea channel. Some of the best diving in the entire archipelago is found a mere 20 meters offshore. The dive boat, skippered by guide Garibo Chaulila, started life as a traditional Portuguese fishing vessel and has been remodeled. The wide afterdeck allows freedom of movement for whale watching or exploration of the bay.

A 30- foot Bertrams Express, powered by twin Volvo Penta diesel inboards, is available for the use of big game fishermen. This vessel cruises comfortably at 22-24 knots and can reach 30 knots if required. A local dhow is also available for those who prefer to cruise in silence and serenity.

Diving, snorkeling, fly fishing, surf casting, sport fishing, canoeing, island exploration, sailing, swimming, and bird watching are all highly rated and great fun. Excursions to Ibo island and tours and cultural visits to the mainland (when not lazing in privacy or having a restorative massage in your villa) complete a visit to the Quirimbas Archipelago.

ACTIVITIES

Diving instruction is available and guides are provided for advanced divers. Extreme diving at the best unexplored dive site in the world, the Saint Lazarus Bank, is not to be missed. Mares equipment is maintained in top condition for use by guests and staff. With the Bertrams Express, diving and fishing at the Saint Lazarus Bank is only a 2 hour trip away.

The deep drop-off immediately to the east of the Quirimbas Archipelago guarantees a unique fishing experience. The Southern current passes near the coast here and billfish can be taken within shouting distance of shore; local fishermen sometimes catch them on hand lines trolled behind dugout canoes. Rods and reels are all Shimano, with lines ranging from 20 to 80 lbs. Six lines can be trolled from the Bertram's.

Lagosta alley of the prime dive sites is situated barely 50 m off the main beach. The hard coral slope/drop-off bustles with aquatic life. This is the main feature of all the sites we dive here- a lot of fish, nudibranchs and unspoilt corals -hard and soft.
The Cabecas reef -reached by shore or boat- are like Kev's Ledge at Malongane. The coral and aquatic life: ribbon eels, nudibranches, wip coral (5 to 8m tall), yellow banded snappers, fusilliers and spotted sweetlips. Green turtles and hawksbeak turtles, rare pipefish and tropical shrimp species.

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