The Quirimbas Archipelago, often nicknamed the ‘Maldives of Africa,’ (or ‘Ilhas Quirimbas’ as they’re known in Portuguese) consists of a string beautiful of 12 major islands, about 20 smaller coralline islands and endless offshore sand-bars and reefs.  The Quirimbas National Park protects a large part of the archipelago’s southern side.  The wildlife is superb, consisting of Green and Hawksbill Turtles, several species of Dolphins, countless coastal bird species, rare Coconut Crabs that are otherwise extinct in East Africa, pristine reefs and fish life, and the rare Dugong.  From July through September, the islands are also home to migrating Humpback Whales.

The archipelago is an isolated and remote area, and is probably the last stretch of East African coastline where the marine environment and beaches are very rarely visited by westerners.  This is because infrastructure for tourism is limited to a few islands that offer a small number of beds and are generally costly to stay at.  The Quirimbas Islands are currently on the tentative list for becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site which was submitted in 2008.  The archipelago is therefore best explored on a multi-day live aboard trip.