IBO ISLAND
Ibo Island is the only developed island within the Quirimbas Archipelago - though it remains a peaceful and tranquil oasis in the Indian Ocean. With sand roads, a handful of vehicles and rarely more than 10 visiting guests, the island is often likened to Zanzibar before it became so popular. Day trips to neighbouring islands, swimming with wild dolphins and other activities, plenty of fresh seafood and unbelievable sunsets all make this island one of Mozambique’s most magical and unknown destinations.
One important detail to know about the island is that it is less suitable for your standard beach stay, but more for a cultural adventure with lots of history on the island and very warm hearted islanders who welcome you to explore their home. This can be combined with a wide range of activities and excursions on offer, including fantastic dhow safaris that are described in detail below, which take you to sandy islands for your beach fix.
Accommodation
Located on a prime waterfront site, Ibo Island Lodge boasts majestic mansions, each over a hundred years old. The fourteen suites all individually designed to stay authentic to Ibo’s history and original architecture offer spacious bathrooms, air-conditioning and ceiling fans. The wide verandas are furnished with hand-crafted furniture and comfortable cushions.
The lodge features three swimming pools set in tropical gardens, an air-conditioned area and a private dining room, as well as a roof terrace restaurant with an open-air lounge area for after-dinner drinks under the stars. Freshly grown vegetables, fruits and herbs, and locally caught seafood are combined to create healthy, delicious meals.
Activities
Guests are offered an array of adventures, including water sports, fishing and outings to interact with the local islanders. The lodge also offers guided historic and cultural tours of the island, excursions to the mangroves, sea kayaking and dhow cruises.
A very special activity that Ibo Island Lodge offers are the dhow safaris, which can be anything from a day excursion to a several day long trip. Ibo Island Lodge is the only Mozambique operator to offer fully guided, tailor-made, mobile island hopping dhow safaris, kayak, and SUP Safaris in the greater Quirimbas Archipelago region. Under the expert leadership of a pro guide and a local crew, explore a coastline and new destination fringed by tropical islands with an abundance of heritage and unique culture. Snorkel off deserted white sandbanks and into turquoise sea, and sleep in mobile eco fly camps on uninhabited tropical islands. Combine with sea kayaking and dhow sailing up wide coastal river mouths teeming with red listed bird species and some of the largest mangrove forests in Africa.
The Quirimbas Islands more broadly are renowned for its pristine coral reefs and huge variety of tropical reef fish. The diving on Ibo’s local reef 'Lighthouse' offers divers a great chance to see turtles, huge napoleon wrasse, large schools of Bat fish, blue lined snapper, Harlequin Sweetlips, and much much more. People come here to dive due to its crystal clear waters and beautiful pristine reefs and huge array of reef fish. Read more about the diving under 'Diving and Snorkelling'.
One important detail to know about the island is that it is less suitable for your standard beach stay, but more for a cultural adventure with lots of history on the island and very warm hearted islanders who welcome you to explore their home. This can be combined with a wide range of activities and excursions on offer, including fantastic dhow safaris that are described in detail below, which take you to sandy islands for your beach fix.
Accommodation
Located on a prime waterfront site, Ibo Island Lodge boasts majestic mansions, each over a hundred years old. The fourteen suites all individually designed to stay authentic to Ibo’s history and original architecture offer spacious bathrooms, air-conditioning and ceiling fans. The wide verandas are furnished with hand-crafted furniture and comfortable cushions.
The lodge features three swimming pools set in tropical gardens, an air-conditioned area and a private dining room, as well as a roof terrace restaurant with an open-air lounge area for after-dinner drinks under the stars. Freshly grown vegetables, fruits and herbs, and locally caught seafood are combined to create healthy, delicious meals.
Activities
Guests are offered an array of adventures, including water sports, fishing and outings to interact with the local islanders. The lodge also offers guided historic and cultural tours of the island, excursions to the mangroves, sea kayaking and dhow cruises.
A very special activity that Ibo Island Lodge offers are the dhow safaris, which can be anything from a day excursion to a several day long trip. Ibo Island Lodge is the only Mozambique operator to offer fully guided, tailor-made, mobile island hopping dhow safaris, kayak, and SUP Safaris in the greater Quirimbas Archipelago region. Under the expert leadership of a pro guide and a local crew, explore a coastline and new destination fringed by tropical islands with an abundance of heritage and unique culture. Snorkel off deserted white sandbanks and into turquoise sea, and sleep in mobile eco fly camps on uninhabited tropical islands. Combine with sea kayaking and dhow sailing up wide coastal river mouths teeming with red listed bird species and some of the largest mangrove forests in Africa.
The Quirimbas Islands more broadly are renowned for its pristine coral reefs and huge variety of tropical reef fish. The diving on Ibo’s local reef 'Lighthouse' offers divers a great chance to see turtles, huge napoleon wrasse, large schools of Bat fish, blue lined snapper, Harlequin Sweetlips, and much much more. People come here to dive due to its crystal clear waters and beautiful pristine reefs and huge array of reef fish. Read more about the diving under 'Diving and Snorkelling'.
