Quilálea is an idyllic Mozambique island resort nestling
in a forgotten corner of Mozambique's Quirimbas Archipelago in the tropical
Indian Ocean. The Island lies 55 kilometers north of Pemba Town and 12
kilometers from the mainland town of Quissanga. Quilálea comes from
the Swahili word ‘lala', meaning sleep (the island's cove was
a resting place for Arab ships).
Completely uninhabited, this Indian Ocean island offers
complete exclusivity and unparalleled natural beauty. Quilálea
is a unique island marine sanctuary, fringed with pristine beaches and
surrounded by the tropical Indian Ocean. The island has a deep channel
on the landward side, allowing protected mooring all year long and at
all points of the tide.
The Quilálea Sanctuary was the first marine protected
area in the Quirimbas Archipelago. Within the sanctuary itself no fishing
of any kind is allowed, and in the National Park no commercial fishing
is allowed.
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The marine sanctuary functions as a nursery. Turtles now nest on the beach,
dugongs have been sighted many times, and humpback whales shelter in the channel
during the months of July to January before continuing their journey to the
south. Numbers of all marine organisms are high and increasing. A total of
375 different species of fish have been identified in the sanctuary area.
How to get there?
Guests can fly to Pemba Airport in Mozambique from Johannesburg
and Dar es Salaam. There are also daily connections from
Maputo. This is followed by a scenic two-hour drive to Quissanga and a 25-minute
boat trip to the Island. Or, guests can take a 20-minute air charter to nearby
Quirimba island and then a 15-minute boat trip to Quilálea.
| Accommodation |
| Quilalea
Island Resort |
| The Quilalea resort is the island. All you'll
see from your verandah is white sand, clear, sandy-bottomed
Indian Ocean, mangrove-topped coral outcrops that grew
and sank with the tides, and other islands of the archipelago.
Quilálea has 9 luxury sea-facing villas
constructed entirely from indigenous materials and handcrafted
timber which open onto private verandas. Large windows
afford magnificent views and allow the sea breeze to
waft through the entire villa. A king-size bed draped
in netting completes the romantic African/Arabian luxury.
The bar is decorated with tribal wood sculptures,
a chess sets and a dugout canoe hanging from the ceiling.
On a stone-and-mahogany deck overlooking the beach,
a saltwater pool glistens in the sun.
Views from the restaurant and lounge, built onto
a peninsula at the north end of the island, are panoramic.
Exotic dishes prepared by a team of skilled chefs
have Mozambique-Portuguese influences, and on special
occasions are served at romantic shore-side tables.
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What to see
Sencar Island
Sencar, Quilálea's neighbouring island, remains
untouched and uninhabited, although day excursions and picnics
are encouraged. 75 hectares in extent, Sencar has a coral
rag exterior and a mangrove swamp interior. Sencar offers
only rudimentary beaches, but it is a bird lovers dream.
A paradise for sea birds, the island has large areas of
untouched coastal thicket. Samango monkeys have also made
their homes here, though no one knows quite how they arrived
there or how they survive in the absence of fresh water.
Sea life around
the Island
Quilálea is noted for the size of its reef fish,
with parrotfish, angelfish cave bass, morays, and others
all reaching exceptional sizes. Long nosed hawkfish are
found associated with the gorgonians. A wide variety of
game and pelagic fish also visit the sanctuary.
Dugongs are present but shy; it is easier to find their
grazing marks than the animals themselves. Turtles range
widely throughout the sanctuary, with green turtles and
perhaps Olive Ridleys nesting on the islands. Humpback whales
visit the sanctuary from June to December every year, coming
inshore to feed and shelter their calves. Dolphins include
spinner, common, and bottlenose, with humpback dolphins
appearing occasionally inside the sanctuary but common in
the mangrove channels of Ibo Island just to the north.
Blacktip and Whitetip sharks, blue spotted stingray, and
electric ray are common. The Zambezi shark, the hammerhead
shark, the tiger shark, and the manta ray have also been
sighted. The area is home to 140 taxa of molluscs, including
giant clams. Three hundred and seventy-five species of fish
have been identified in the Sanctuary area, including threatened
pipefish and seahorses.
Wildlife
Both islands are home to a variety of birds; doves nest
here, as do seabirds. Goliath herons are present in abundance
and fish eagles also makes Quilaleatheir home. Ospreys are
common and flamingo's and pelicans are occasional
visitors. Other fauna found on the island includes; small
Suni deer, tortoises, and different species of snake (all
harmless) as well as large monitor lizards.
What to do
Spend your days simply soaking up the sun by the swimming
pool or on the pristine, white beaches or choose from the
many adventure activities on offer on the island.
Diving, snorkelling, fly fishing, sport fishing, canoeing,
island exploration, swimming, historical tours, dhow sailing
trips and bird watching are all available on the island.
Sport fishing and deep-sea angling are offered outside the
protected sanctuary. The experienced skipper and crew know
all the hot spots, so novice and veteran anglers alike can
enjoy these unspoilt fishing waters. A traditional sailing
dhow, comfortably furnished and locally built by hand in
the time honoured method is the idyllic way to watch the
sun setting over the sparkling Indian Ocean.
Diving & Snorkeling
Guided dives ranging from easy shallow reef dives for novices,
and more challenging wall dives for those with greater experience.
There is an abundance of marine life in the surrounding
waters including Turtles, Dolphins, Potato Groupers, Moray
eels and large pelagics to mention but a few. The corals
are plentiful and healthy and are teeming with an astounding
variety of colorful reef fishes and nudibranchs. For non-divers
wishing to view the underwater world, they also supply snorkeling
equipment.
Fishing
Expect to catch Bonito, Barracuda, Yellow-fin Tuna, Trevally,
Wahoo, Dorado and other game fish. Billfish such as Marlin
and Sailfish are seasonal and are tagged and released whenever
possible. Traditional hand line fishing with local fishermen
outside the reserve can be arranged. Salt water fly-fishing-strictly catch and release - can be organized for
those wanting to give this art a try. Fishing at Quilálea
is a year round activity and is rarely affected by weather
conditions.
Bird Watching
The Quirimbas National Park is home to a wide variety of
Bird Species including Martial, Fish Eagles, Flamingos,
Herons, Smaller breeds comprise Plovers, Coucals, and colourful
Kingfishers. Many of these birds can be seen on the Island
of Quilálea and amongst the nearby mangrove forests.
Whale Watching
Humpback and Sperm whales pass through the islands on their
annual migration and can be seen during the months of July,
August and September. Spinner and Humpback Dolphins can
be observed year round.
Canoeing
This is a great way to discover the secret channels through
the mangroves on the neighboring island of Sencar.
Excursion to Ibo Island
The best known of the Quirimbas Archipelago is Ibo Island.
This island's history has been richly coloured with
Portuguese fortresses and by the Arab slave trade. Ibo is
an intriguing place and had become the most important town
in Mozambique by the late 18th century.
Executions to Quirimba Town
A short visit to this nearby island introduces you to the
local island lifestyle and gives you a closer view of the
age-old method of hut building and an insight to traditional
village life. Quirimba was an important Muslim trade centre
before the arrival of the Portuguese and later served as
a missionary centre.
Dhow Cruises
Traditional sailing dhow, locally built by hand in the time
honored method and comfortably furnished is the idyllic
way to watch the sun setting over the sea.
Picnics
Guests can choose to have private picnics at one of our
beaches or a romantic candlelit supper overlooking the sea.
Picnics can also be organized on the neighboring island
of Sencar.
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