Quilalea Lodge

Stop Press: Quilalea has been sold in mid 2009 to a private individual. At the time of writing it is understood that the lodge will be available for private hire on an exclusive basis – but not for individual bookings.

For more information on the exclusive use if the island, contact Alistair Walls or Ben Morison.

Situated in the southern region of the Quirimbas Archipelago, Quilalea is a private marine sanctuary consisting of two spectacular tropical Indian Ocean islands. The main island is thirty five hectares in size and is a malaria-free area.

Quilalea Island has 9 luxury villas constructed entirely from indigenous materials and handcrafted timber, opening onto a private verandas with panoramic sea views. The villas are a comfortable 45 m sq. in size with natural rock walls, makuti thatch and air-conditioning to keep you cool by day. Quilalea's restaurant and lounge are on a peninsula at the northern tip of the island, with tremendous sea views on both sides. Barbecues are often prepared on the beach and private dinners can be served in guest villas.

Quilalea Island has its own fully equipped for PADI scuba diving. Other activities include superb game fishing in the Mozambique channel, kayaking, island walks and spa therapies in a treatment room hanging over the sea. To protect the marine sanctuay, the island does not offer motorised watersports such as water skiing or jet bikes. A half day trip to nearby Ibo Island is also a must for those who want to experience a slice of traditional Mozambican culture.

There are 375 different species of fish within the sanctuary and some of the best diving in the whole archipelago is found a mere twenty metres offshore on the house reef. Dugongs graze in sea-grass meadows, fish eagles perch in tall mangroves, turtles nest on white beaches, and humpback whales shelter their young in Quilalea's deep channel.

Accommodation is inclusive of all food and two scuba dives a day. Friendly service from the Quilálea staff, a rustic yet refined atmosphere, wonderful food and the idyllic island setting all make for a thoroughly relaxing and romantic holiday hotspot.  


LIKE QUILALEA? ... have a look at Vamizi Island and the Southern Tanzania safari 

* Ben and James have both been to Quilalea recently.

Quilalea Island on the BBC Imagine Africa sent the BBC 'Holiday 10 Best' program to film on Quilalea Island in northern Mozambique. The program, shown on BBC1, listed the top ten up-and-coming destinations in the world... Mozambique came out as number one!