Azura Quilalea is a hidden gem, somewhere to retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily life, with a relaxed and understated ‘Robinson Crusoe’ castaway style that belies the comforts and experiences on offer.
It is the second luxury Indian Ocean Retreat from the Azura Retreats group, bringing Azura’s trademark African-chic style to Quilalea Private Island, a wholly uninhabited island paradise surrounded by the pristine waters of the Quirimbas Archipelago marine sanctuary.
Snorkel the island’s shores, dive from the main beach, kayak the mangroves or relax in a hammock beneath the giant baobabs on the island.
Azura Quilalea’s nine seafront villas offer the ultimate private luxury hideaway in a stunning undiscovered destination, an untouched paradise for just a discerning few to discover.
It is the only island in Mozambique with a house reef, accessible directly from the main beach, making it a fabulous destination for snorkellers, scuba divers and lovers of marine life.
It is also home to more than 50 giant baobabs and some 180 species of migrating birds.
The main bar and pool area offers plenty of areas to relax in whilst enjoying views of the ocean. The informal lounge coming off the bar area offers satellite TV and a laptop with internet access.
The Jellyfish Dining Room is open on the sides to make best use of the trade winds that are wonderfully cooling on a summer night.
There is also a wine cellar for private dining and to showcase the proprietor's wines.
The hotel has a fully equipped PADI Dive and Watersports Centre, a feature Baobab reception and a boutique with local crafts and designer beachwear.
The Azura team is here to welcome you, and go out of their way to make your stay at Azura Quilalea special.
The cliff-top Villa Quilalea offers the most astounding accommodation for a couple in the whole Quirimbas Archipelago, located on its own private part of the island where guests can enjoy magnificent views over the turquoise seas with dhows sailing by.
Sip cocktails on the extended outdoor deck of the villa while watching the beauty of the sunset, or delight in an exquisite
candlelit dinner served in the private dining area. Alternatively luxuriate in your private infinity plunge pool.
Guests can access the ocean from their own cliff top step-ladder, which leads into a private alcove with a small beach at low tide, and immediate swimming and snorkelling at high tide, so to experience the impressive underwater world of Quilalea Private Island.
The 4 Kaskazi villas are open-plan and spacious, with stylish décors of wood, cotton and materials such as rope, pebbles and rattan, all blending in seamlessly with the island surroundings.
Guests need only take a few steps to the gleaming white beach, or they may choose to bask on their sun lounger on their private deck.
All of the villas have a unique energy control system whereby guests can take control of their own eco-footprint.
All mod cons are there if desired, including mini bar and air-conditioning, or guests can throw their villa open to being air-cooled by the natural breezes.
The 4 Kusi Villas have been beautifully revamped in that subtle yet stunning Azura way, with spacious bathrooms, natural furnishings and pure African elegance.
Kusi Villas have the premium locations, with an additional outdoor shower, beach sala and newly added private plunge pool.
Guests are now able to enjoy the full private island experience at Azura Quilalea by having the use of the 86 pristine acres exclusively – perfect for a large family or group of friends.
The wholly uninhabited island paradise is surrounded by the crystal clear waters of the Quirimbas Archipelago marine sanctuary, a hidden gem, somewhere to retreat to from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Quilalea Island has the only deep-water mooring in the area, where the Portuguese and Arab traders traditionally found sanctuary for their dhows. Along with its sister island Sencar, it is one of the few properties in the entire Archipelago to lie within a fully protected marine reserve, ensuring an abundance of marine life, and a spectacular snorkelling and diving experience for the guests.
All this can be exclusive to you and your guests!
The villas at Quilalea provide you with your own island castaway home, a private bolthole from your daily lives, somewhere to relax, unwind, and forget about the world.
There are just 9 seafront villas on this private uninhabited island, accommodating a maximum of eighteen guests in absolute privacy. There are no telephones and Ipod docks here, just a fan to cool you down, an aircon should you need it, a fridge full of your favourite beverages, and a wooden pirate chest to store your most precious belongings.
Outside, there are daybeds and sun-loungers for relaxing, and the private decks have fabulous uninterrupted views out to the beach and sea beyond.
At Azura, dining is all part of the experience, from breakfast at the water’s edge, to a picnic on a sandy island, to dining on a candle lit beach beneath the stars. The menus are based on what is fresh and available, with a focus on light meals, simple
ingredients, and lots of fresh fish and seafood. The huge Mangrove Crabs are a particular speciality, as well as Crayfish which is available in abundance. The chef will happily try to accommodate any personal requests that you may have.
Your host will set up a private candle-light dinner on your deck or on the beach in front of your villa, surrounded by candles and lanterns arranged in the sand. The ultimate in romantic dining! The hotel always offers a choice of dishes, and its chef will
happily try to accommodate any personal requests that you may have, although given the remoteness of the location, your understanding is appreciated if something you have a particular craving for is simply unobtainable.
Azura Quilalea Private Island has also a wine cellar for
private dining and to showcase the proprietor's wines.
Azura offers unique African Spa treatments at the beautiful cliff top spa with the calming sounds of the waves lapping against the rocks. Signature treatments use only natural ingredients sourced from the wilds of Africa, for the ultimate relaxing and pampering
African Spa experience. Should you prefer, treatments can also be set-up in the comfort of your villa. Azura African Spa is owned, managed and operated by Indian Ocean Eco-Islands Limited.
Azura offers unique African Spa treatments at the beautiful cliff top spa with the calming sounds of the waves lapping against the rocks.
Experience the romance of bygone Africa with the unique Baobab Bath experience.
The treatments take their inspiration from the very heart of Africa. Try a body wrap using a unique blend of African body butters and oils, including the highly prized Mongongo Nut Oil.
Guests will find their own favourite haven, be it a hammock under the trees, or a dip in the main feature pool.
Detox your body and refresh your soul. Enjoy healthy eating with a focus on light meals, simple ingredients, and lots of fresh fish and seafood. It’s a simple understated affair as nothing is hurried at Azura.
The kayaks are available for your pleasure at any time. If you would prefer, one of the accomplished guides will accompany you on a kayaking safari, which is a great way to view the island.
There is a marked walking trail around the island, a great way to explore the island’s baobabs, birds, and butterflies.
The oceans off Quilalea, with their spectacular drop offs and currents, offer some of the best big game, bill and saltwater fishing in the Indian Ocean. Species include: Sailfish, Tuna/Bonito, King/Queen Mackerel, Prodigal Son, Wahoo, Dorado, and Barracuda.
Quilalea Private Island is a home to some 134 species of birds. If you would like to learn more, go out on a guided nature walk with one of the guides, who will happily tell you all about the diverse bird life.
A must for lovers of snorkelling, the guides guide you out onto the house reef with underwater torches to see how different everything looks at night.
A vast array of marine life thrives including tropical fish like Sweetlips, Angelfish, Triggerfish, Pufferfish amongst breath-taking coral reefs riddled with Lettuce coral, coral "Bommies" reef banks’ and soft sponges.
The stunning house reef off the main beach is paradise for snorkelers, with easy access at all times of day.
It is a 10 minute scenic trip by helicopter or a 40 minute boat ride to Ibo Island, the foremost heritage site in Northern Mozambique. Ibo is full of fascinating architecture, old ruins and lots of cultural history.
Azura has a full range of high quality dive equipment. A PADI Discover Scuba course, which includes your first reef diving experience, can be completed in just a few hours. Children are welcome to learn to dive from the age of 10 upwards.
Quirimba Island has a vast coconut plantation that is being run by the legendary Gesner family- a German family who have made the Island their home and have lived there since 1926!
Enjoy an aerial view of the islands. Fly over the coconut plantation on Quirimbas Island or enjoy a view of Ibo Island from the air.
The protected reefs in the Quirimbas Archipelago offer some of the most spectacular scuba diving in the world. These undisturbed and untouched dive sites are abundant with a variety of fish and corals.
Your guide will explain the uses of the mangroves whilst you look out for interesting birds, crabs and hermit crabs escaping from the rising water level by clinging on to the stems of the trees.
Join the Sky Guides for an informative presentation and discussion about the African night skies. Sky Guides are equipped with laser pointers reaching 1.5km into the skies, and an 8-inch reflecting telescope.
A time honoured tradition in East African waters, set sail in a traditional Mozambican Dhow sailboat, and watch the sunset as you drift along on the ocean breezes.
Turtle Beach is the most beautiful beach on Quilalea Private Island, where you will have a special picnic (breakfast/lunch) and enjoy a few lazy hours in the sun, with shade cover, cushions and beanbags provided for your comfort.
Studies by the WWF and other scientific bodies have shown that Quilalea Private Island is one of the most important nesting sites in the whole Quirimbas Archipelago for Green, Hawksbill and Leatherback Turtles.
Trips to watch humpback whales are available in season (from July to October), if you are lucky you will see these beautiful animals breaching and lob tailing- sometimes they are even spotted swimming past in the deep waters just off from the beach.
Azura at Quilalea Private Island is a wonderful place for a family holiday.
Snorkelling, fishing and scuba diving are all fabulous activities for children to undertake.
Little ones as young as 4 can learn to snorkel under the careful guidance of the snorkelling instructors.
Older children and teens will love to learn to scuba dive.
For the very young, there are soft white sand beaches for sandcastle building, and easy swimming conditions at the main beach.
Older children may be interested in the giant baobabs, and young ornithologists can try and spot 134 species of birds.
AZURA QUILALEA PRIVATE ISLAND
Quilalea Island Mozambique