Azura At Quilalea
It’s absurdly remote, so getting here involves a series of buzz-about tiny planes, a wade through mangroves and boarding a boat that pours you out like spilt milk onto a crescent-shaped beach that’s like a lunar moon of stellar brilliance. This island is spectacular by any standards. Dramatic exposed coral cliffs overhang powder-puff sand that slopes gently into living gardens of corals and anemones. Romantic dhows tack the horizon; fishermen scoop by in dug-out canoes. Dip your mask under the surface and a rare reef fish will flash a stripe or two at you. There are nine makuti-thatch, coral-stone villas that sit among coastal forest with views of sunsets or sunrises on opposite sides of the island. The newly revamped interiors are effortless Afro-chic with grass carpets, carved stools and lights sourced from roadside craftsmen. Days can be busy or lazy – swim, turtle-spot, kayak, fish, have a massage, learn how to dive or nip across to Ibo Island to rootle around in a culture that dates back to the Arab trading routes of ad300. Dinners are a winner, a benchmark in barefoot smart – your personal butler will set up feasts on a beach surrounded by candles, or under a floodlit baobab tree. You are both looked after and left alone in all the right measures. This is an island that is intelligently green as well as adventurous and crazily delicious.
- LocationQuirimbas Archipelago, Mozambique
seven nights from £3,695, full board, including flights and transfers.
Contact: Tourism Corporation Africa
Tel: 021 426 0991
Email: shanaaz@tourismcorp.co.za
Website: www.tourismcorp.co.za
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