Quilalea Island
Soft white sand.
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Quirimbas National Park is a reserve in Cabo Delgado Province in north-east Mozambique, taking in the southern Quirimbas Islands and a wide stretch of mainland. It runs for 110 km along the coast and contains the southernmost 11 islands of the archipelago. It combines coral reefs and shallow water with a mainland of prominent rocky hills. The park was established in June 2002. The whole archipelago has about 32 islands reaching north towards the Tanzanian border, among them Ibo, Matemo, Medjumbe and Quirimba. They were first home to Makonde fishing communities, and trading centres later grew up on them. On the mainland, the Taratibua area has lone rocky hills rising from the plain. From space the islands look like green rings set in turquoise circles along the coast, while from the ground you see white sand beaches ending at thick green forest. Quilalea has soft white sand and clear blue water, and Medjumbe has very clear water offshore. The reefs here draw people who love diving and birds. It is about 77 km from Pemba in a straight line and about 15 km from Ibo Island. The UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to Cabo Delgado Province, except Palma and around Pemba and Afungi, where it advises against all but essential travel, so read the current advice before planning. The rainy season runs from December to April, and the drier season from May to September.
Soft white sand.
A diving draw.
Lone rocks on the plain.
Cabo Delgado Province, north-east Mozambique
Yes, it lies in a province the UK Foreign Office advises against visiting, so read the latest text before planning.
May to September, when it is drier and cooler, with daytime highs from 25 to 35 degrees.