Diving from Medjumbe Island | Mozambique

DESTINATION OVERVIEW | North from Pemba town, and running parallel to the Mozambique coast, are the 32 tiny coral islands of the Quirimbas Archipelago, a newly explored and incredibly remote diving destination.

These islands stretch up as far as the Rovuma River, which creates the border with Tanzania, and are sandwiched between the coast and the Mozambique Channel. Along with a vast area of mainland forest, the southernmost 11 of these coral islands form the Quirimbas National Park. Flying overhead in a small aircraft reveals that there is virtually no human habitation. The tiny islands are breathtakingly beautiful – Medjumbe is a classic picture-postcard image of white sand beaches edged by a turquoise lagoon.

Scuba diving is definitely a new and growing sport right across the Quirimbas. Many of the reefs have never been seen by divers, partly due to the restrictions of the daily tides. The broad lagoon that encapsulates Medjumbe extends for quite some way from the beach restricting the movement of boats. At certain times of day, you literally have to wait for the sea to return so you can travel to the fringing reef. However, that's no great hardship as you are forced to sit and admire the idyllic view and the seabirds.

Pemba scuba diving features

PROS AND CONS | It's not easy to get to northern, or indeed any part of Mozambique, as there is only the one national airline that connects the other regional cities once or twice a week. There is also only a minimal tourist infrastructure, but what is there is good quality and good value. Medjumbe is a top-notch, all-inclusive resort. There is nothing else on the island.

SCUBA DIVING | Northern Mozambique has yet to make it's mark on the diver radar but that seems like a big positive to us – no crowds, no boats, almost no divers! The corals around Medjumbe are fantastic and there are plenty of small fish. The deeper wall dives are exciting with bigger schools of pelagic fish. The tides washing across the lagoon mean that the sand is moving constantly so visibility can drop a little.

OPINION | Medjumbe Private Island has to be one of the most romantic and delightful resort islands we have seen in a very long time, a rare mix of rustic charm and subtle luxury. The reefs are highly under-dived and our only real disappointment was being able to see all the available dives. The resort is owned by Rani Resorts who also own the top-notch Pemba Beach Hotel.

MOZAMBIQUE | Explore other diving destinations in East Africa

RESORT REPORT | Medjumbe Private Island

SAFARI | combining an East African diving holiday with a wildlife safari

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