The Quirimbas Archipelago Mozambique
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.
Due to their remoteness, the islands are a perfect setting for exploring and spearfishing uncharted reefs slopes and the highlight of any trip to the Quirimbas, legendary St. Lazarus Bank, a large seamount rising from some 2,000m of water to its shallowest depth of around 13m, that is home to some of the clearest waters and largest Dogtooth Tuna in East Africa. The archipelago is also home to very large Giant Trevally, Spanish Mackerel, Marlin, Wahoo, Yellowfin Tuna, Sailfish and prize bottom game fish such as Green Jobfish, Emperors and Snappers.
Enquiry for Spearfishing Mozambique: Online Form
or email: info@extremebluewaterspearfishing.com
Places of Interest
Saint Lazarus Bank
St. Lazarus Bank is situated offshore in the Mozambique channel, some 50 nautical miles off the Quirimbas Archipelago. Lazarus is a seamount rising from approximately 2,000 m to it’s shallowest point of 13 m below the surface. The bank is some 10 nm x 4 nm in size and is a marine biodiversity hotspot. It is the top location in Mozambique, and one of the top in the world, to hunt giant Dogtooth Tuna, along with the plentiful Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo, Marlin, Sailfish, and some stunning reef game fish such as Giant Trevally, Emperors, and Snappers.
Due to its distance from shore, all trips to St. Lazarus Bank are of the live aboard type and generally last a minimum of 4 days and up to 10 days. As the location provides no shelter from rough weather, trips are planned for best possible weather windows and good fish presence between September and mid December and again from mid February to the end of March. November and March mark the calmest months and you can expect to find the clearest waters in East Africa at this location.
Please Contact Us for more information on spearfishing trips to legendary St. Lazarus Bank.
Enquiry for Spearfishing Trip to St. Lazarus Bank: Online Form
The Metundo Canyon
Metundo island is one of the northernmost of the Quirimbas Islands and lies on the southern side of the impressive Metundo Canyon. With Vamizi Island bordering the northern side of the canyon, the gap between the two is approximately 4 nm wide and drops to a depth of approximately 800 m before rising dramatically up to 8 m depth onto ‘Neptune’s Arm,’ an astonishing part of the island reef extending a few miles into the Indian Ocean. Deep ocean upwelling at this point creates an idyllic habitat for healthy corals and fans, a mind-boggling array of bait fish that hugs the vertical drop-off, and a healthy population of pelagic hunters – to include large Dogtooth Tuna, Wahoo, Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna, Giant Groupers, Snappers and Emperors, Barracuda, and much much more – makes this location one impressive place to spearfish. With so much to see and distract one’s attention, one would not be blamed for not seeing a giant predator swim by, so focus is of utmost importance here.
The Metundo Canyon can be dived on day trips from 5 star ‘barefoot luxury’ Vamizi Island. This would require a stay in one of the impressive – and second to none in all of East Africa – private villas on the island (suitable for up to 10 persons), something we can organise for you. Alternatively, the Metundo Canyon can be spearfished while on a live aboard trip that would encompass a visit to legendary Saint Lazarus Bank. Spearfishing both the Metundo Canyon and Saint Lazarus Bank during one live aboard trip is the kind of stuff that spearfishing dreams are made of.
Please Contact Us for more information on spearfishing trips to the Metundo Canyon.
Enquiry for Spearfishing Trip to Metundo Canyon:Online Form
Our Day Trips
Our day trips in northern Mozambique are limited to departures from our dive centre located on 5 star barefoot resort Vamizi Island. Day trips target Dogtooth Tuna, King Mackerel, Wahoo, Snappers, Emperors, world record size Jobfish, Giant Trevally, and much more nearby Metundo Canyon’s spectacular reef.
Please Contact Us for more information on our amazing day trips out of Vamizi Island in the northern part of the spectacular Quirimbas Archipelago of northern Mozambique.
Enquiry for Day Trip from Vamizi Island: Online Form
Our Famous Live-aboard trips
Our live aboard trips to the very best offshore spearfishing locations off north-western Madagascar are very much based on our very successful formula we’ve been running since 2009 when we started our company; small groups, nice live board yacht, and quality dedicated spearfishing boat. Our top live aboard destinations in the area are Castor Bank, Leven Bank, the Mitzio Archipelago, Cap San Sebastien and Intermediary Bank. Trips vary from 4 – 10 days and our very flexible to be turned into tailor made trips. Without a shadow of a doubt, a live aboard trip is the best way to explore this pristine and little known part of the spearfishing world. Please Contact Us for more information on planning an epic tailor made live aboard spearfishing trip.
Enquiry for Live-Aboard Trips in Mozambique: Online Form
How to Get There
The gateway to the Quirimbas Archipelago is Pemba, the capital city of Cabo Delgado region. Pemba can be reached by international flights originating from Johannesburg in South Africa, Nairobi in Kenya, and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. Vamizi Island is accessible only by private charter flights originating from Pemba, approximately 50 minutes flying time away. Please Contact Us for more specific information on how to get here from your point of origin.
Where to Stay
Vamizi Island is a 5 star resort island located in the northern Quirimbas Archipelago of Mozambique. It is blessed by being located in one of the most untouched underwater areas in the world. The rest of the archipelago, including St. Lazarus Bank, can only be reached on one of our 7 to 10 night live aboard trips. Please Contact Us for more specific information on where to stay when spearfishing this amazing archipelago.
Enquiry for How to get there or where to stay in Mozambique: Online Form
or email: info@extremebluewaterspearfishing.com