Azura at Quilalea Private Island Quirimbas Mozambique

Azura at Quilalea is the second luxury Indian Ocean retreat from Christopher and Stella Bettany. Just as the name suggests, it brings Azura’s trademark African-chic style to Quilalea Island, a private, wholly uninhabited island paradise surrounded by the pristine waters of a marine sanctuary.

email: book@go.mozbookings.com

Azura at Quilalea is a hidden gem, somewhere to retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily life, with a relaxed and understated ‘Robinson Crusoe’ castaway style that belies the comforts and experiences on offer. Azura at Quilalea is an Eco-Boutique Retreat. Whilst the Quirimbas Archipelago stretch from Pemba to the Northern border with Tanzania, only the very southern part of the archipelago, where Quilalea is located, forms a fully protected marine sanctuary.

In keeping with the uninhabited nature of the island, the retreat consists of only nine seafront villas, accommodating eighteen guests. The villas are built from natural coral stone and makuti thatch, and have all been revamped to increase comfort and make better use of the interior space, with natural finishings, indoor/outdoor showers, private decks stretching out to the beach, daybeds and sun-loungers for relaxing. Guests can choose between three categories of villa: 4 Sunrise Villas, 4 Sunset Villas, and Villa Quilalea. The cliff-top Villa Quilalea offers the most astounding accommodation for a couple in the whole archipelago, with a private plunge pool, feature bathroom & dressing room, an outdoor shower, and its own separate sitting/dining area.

Conscious of this pristine natural environment and the need to preserve it, Azura at Quilalea has embarked on a unique energy saving project, whereby solar power, wind generation, rainwater harvesting, and eco-friendly rechargeable crystal batteries are used in combination with normal generators and desalination to provide the island’s power and water. The aim is for all basic functions to run without the need to switch on generators for lengthy periods, and also to switch generators off completely at night to ensure maximum tranquillity for our guests.

Uniquely at Azura at Quilalea, guests can control their own energy consumption through a wall switch at their villa. They can opt for ‘ECO’ or ‘LUXE’, Eco resulting in power for the bare minimum requirements for the room, such as basic lighting and fan, or Luxe providing all mod cons including air-conditioning.

Cuisine at Quilalea is focused around the natural produce available locally, in line with the island’s ‘Eco Ethos’. Lots of fresh fish and seafood dominate the menu, with dining a relaxed and laid back affair. Guests receive Azura’s trademark Mozambican Butler/Host service, where they try to make the dining experiences different through a range of unique and special venues and set-ups.

This is paradise for lovers of marine life, with superb snorkelling and world class scuba diving available straight off the main beach. Watch as pods of dolphins cruise past your sun deck, or look out for humpback whales or nesting turtles in season. Kayaking through the mangroves on nearby Sencar Island is not to be missed, or go deep-sea fishing for tuna or king mackerel to barbeque fresh that evening. Enjoy romantic beach and baobab grove picnics, or candle lit dinners on the beach beneath the stars. Visit nearby Ibo Island, the cultural highlight in the area, or simply relax at the cliff-top African Spa. This is the ultimate private luxury hideaway, in a stunning undiscovered location.

Quilalea Island is one of the Southernmost islands in the pristine Quirimbas Archipelago, 30 nautical miles North of Pemba. It has one of the only safe deepwater moorings in the area, where the Portuguese and Arab traders traditionally found sanctuary for their dhows. Along with its sister island Sencar, it is one of the few properties in the entire Archipelago to lie within a fully protected marine reserve, ensuring an abundance of marine life. The island is approximately 86 acres in size and apart from Azura at Quilalea staff and guests, it is completely uninhabited.
The island is covered in indigenous vegetation, with statuesque age old baobab groves and stunning flora and fauna, a real nature lowers paradise. There are 4 large sandy beaches on the island, the villas are spread along 2 of them, the main beach always has boat access, and remote and beautiful turtle beach is home to dozens of nesting turtles which our guests are often lucky enough to see. It is also an excellent spot for a private picnic lunch.

Directions
GPS co-ordinates: 12°29'39.50"S, 40°36'08.95"E
The nearest International Airport is at Pemba, which can be accessed from South Africa with flights from Johannesburg on SA Airlink and LAM, from Tanzania with flights on LAM from Dar es Salaam, from Kenya with flights on LAM from Nairobi, and from other centres in Mozambique including Maputo, Beira and Nampula.

Once you clear customs and immigration in Pemba, it's a short 20 minute hop by light aircraft to the neighbouring Quirimbas Island (operated by CFA), a quick drive through the coconut plantation, then a 10 minute boat trip to our island paradise. There is always deep water access at the main beach at Quilalea, but a walk through water is needed at Quirimbas Island except at high tide.

Private Charter
Private Charter flights are available to Pemba through Elite Jet in Johannesburg at reasonable rates. Aircraft seat 8-19 pax.

Quirimbas Island has a 1000m grass runway which is in excellent condition year round. It accommodates a range of smaller light aircraft such as a Pilatus PC12. Many of the Tanzanian game reserves are in easy reach, with immigration procedures available at Mocimba de Praia.

This is paradise for lovers of marine life.

With snorkelling and scuba diving straight off the main beach and just a few guests on the island at a time, you will be the only people snorkelling and diving here, and as a result the plethora of sea life on view is spectacular.

‘Mozambique is the new kid on the block as far as coastal destinations are concerned..the beaches are beautiful and the people friendly…attracting most attention is Azura at Quilalea- Financial Times.

There are some amazing dive sites in the surrounding waters, with walls and drop offs for the more adventurous. We are lucky enough to have humpback whales from July to November, nesting turtles from November through to April, and pods of dolphins for company in front of your villas year round. There is also kayaking through extensive mangroves on nearby Sencar Island, sailing on traditional Mozambican dhows, and some fantastic deep sea fishing.

Back on land, we offer exclusive picnics and romantic candle-lit beach dinners, island walks to view the giant baobabs, cultural trips to the nearby Ibo Island, and relaxing treatments at our African Spa.

Scuba Diving
The protected reefs in the Quirimbas Archipelago offer some of the most spectacular scuba diving in the World. These undisturbed, untouched dive sites are abundant with a variety of fish and corals, and offer a range of depths and reef topography to suit beginner and experienced divers alike. With a location as remote as ours, these dive sites offer a rare opportunity to discover an underwater world that is visited by just a few lucky divers each year.

Our stunning house reef offers quick and easy access straight from the main beach. This is perfect for a refresher or first time dive and a unique location for a night dive for qualified divers. In addition to our house reef, there are another 17 dive sites that we can visit inside and outside of the Quilalea Marine Sanctuary, including some fantastic drop offs and coral gardens.
We have green, hawksbill and leatherback turtles, humpback whales (seasonal), reef sharks, stingrays, devil rays, moray eels, whale sharks (seasonal), manta rays (seasonal), dolphin, grouper, as well as a variety of reef fish such as surgeons, puffers, moorish idols, parrot fish, clown fish, trigger fish and chocolate dip fish. Hard and soft corals are in abundance, with nudibranchs for those who like to spot the smaller stuff!

Azura has a full range of new professional Mares dive equipment. Our training pool on the bar deck is perfect for refreshing your diving skills or taking the plunge for the first time, and for training dives the house reef is ideal being just a few metres out from the beach. If you are interested in learning to dive and would like to try it out contact our dive instructor. A PADI Discover Scuba course, which includes your first reef diving experience, can be completed in just a few hours. Children are welcome to learn to dive from the age of 10 upwards.

PADI Scuba courses at Azura Quilalea range from those designed for children and beginners throughout to full certification up to Dive master level of training; Bubble maker, Scuba Diver, Open water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver are all on offer.

• Scuba diving
• Padi 5 star dive centre
• Scuba pro equipment
• Full range of instructional courses from discover scuba upwards
• Dedicated watersports centre with 9m long training pool
• DAN equipped 24ft specialist diving catamaran
• Varied and interesting reefs with several species of turtle, dolphins, shark, pelagic's, moray eels, eagle rays and a wonderful array of reef fish and corals

Honeymoon Heaven:
Azura is honeymoon heaven, its simply one of the most romantic places in the world.
Imagine yourself in a beautiful beachfront villa, with sunset cocktail of the day in hand, before enjoying a candle-lit dinner with your feet in the sand. Hold hands, watch for shooting stars, and make a wish.
The bride receives up 50% discount on her stay in 2013 and 40% in 2014. We have lots of honeymoon treats in store for you, and remember all meals and house drinks are included, plus a bottle of sparkling wine on arrival, and a special dinner and honeymoon turndown on your last night with us. Terms and conditions apply.


Free Nights on Us:
We know from our guests that 4 or 5 nights at Azura is just never enough, many say they never want to leave us at all! To help you stay longer with us at Azura, we offer one night for free when you stay for 5 nights, or 2 nights for free when you stay for 10 nights or more in 2013. In 2014 when you stay 6 nights you only pay for 5, and when staying 12 nights you only pay for 10.
Enjoy our gorgeous villas and friendly Mozambican hospitality for an extra day or two and we will pick up the tab. Terms and conditions apply.


Luxury for Less:
The holiday you have always dreamed of at half the price…is it possible? Yes it is! Stay for 7 nights or more on selected dates in late January, February, early March and early December, and 2 of you will stay for the price of 1. We also offer this as a last minute booking special, so call and check if we have some 2 for 1 space for you now! Terms and conditions apply.


Beach & Bush:
Look a lion in the eyes in the morning, and have your feet in the sand by lunchtime. Its easy at Azura, with regular flights linking in from the popular luxury Kruger Park camps in South Africa, and the Selous in Tanzania. Our best current offer: stay 4 nights at Amara Selous and 7 nights at Azura Quilalea and receive 40% discount in 2013 and 2014. Terms and conditions apply.


Last Minute Getaway:
Cold and raining back at home? Need a romantic break for someone you love? We do great last minute deals when we still have villas available, with up to 40% off our normal rates. Try us and see! Terms and conditions apply

Accommodation

The villas at Quilalea provide you with your own island castaway home, a private bolt hole from your daily lives, somewhere to relax, unwind, and forget about the world.

There are just 9 seafront villas on this private uninhabited island, accommodating a maximum of eighteen guests in absolute privacy. They are hewn from local materials, with natural coral stone walls, carved wooden beams, makuti thatch roofs, and timber wooden decks. Windows have no glass, but have shutters made from local reed that can be opened to allow the breezes through, or closed for privacy at night. Inside, there are handcrafted oversize beds, comfortable, all natural, designer ‘beach-chic’ finishings and furnishings, and spacious bathrooms with baobab tiled showers with a view out to sea.

There are no telephones and Ipod docks here, just a fan to cool you down, an aircon should you need it, a fridge full of your favourite beverages, and a wooden pirate chest to store your most precious belongings. Outside, there are daybeds and sun-loungers for relaxing, and the private decks have fabulous uninterrupted views out to the beach and sea beyond.

The villas are stretched out along our beaches, some 16m – 70m apart from each other, and surrounded by indigenous gardens or natural bush. There are 4 Kaskazi Villas, with fantastic views across the multiple turquoise sea to Quirimbas Island beyond. The 4 Kusi Villas have more exclusive locations, an extra outdoor bush shower, and hammocks for relaxing.

The cliff-top Villa Quilalea offers the most astounding accommodation for a couple in the whole archipelago, with a private plunge pool, romantic 4 poster bed, feature bathroom & dressing room, an outdoor shower, and its own extensive lounging, dining and relaxation areas.

You may choose a single villa, which is perfect for couples or honeymooners, take a collection of villas along one of the beaches for friends or family, or take over the whole island for complete exclusivity.

Kaskazi Villas
The 4 Kaskazi villas are open-plan and spacious, with stylish decors of wood, cotton and materials such as rope, pebbles and rattan, all blending in seamlessly with the island surroundings. Guests need only take a few steps to the gleaming white beach, or they may choose to bask on their sun lounger on their private deck.

A haven of rest and relaxation just footsteps from the beach, yet designed with seclusion in mind.

All of the villas have a unique energy control system whereby guests can take control of their own eco-footprint. All mod cons are there if desired, including mini bar and air-conditioning, or guests can throw their villa open to being air-cooled by the natural breezes.

Kaskazi Villas Features
Beachfront location and views
All villas can be set up as king or twin sharing
Air-conditioning and fans
Egyptian cotton sheets and oversize mosquito net
Large bathroom with feature indoor/outdoor shower, double vanities, separate toilet and bidet
Mozambican Butler-host service
Mini bar and tea/coffee making facilities
Private undercover deck with daybed
Sundeck with loungers

Kusi Villas
The 4 Kusi Villas have been beautifully revamped in that subtle yet stunning Azura way, with spacious bathrooms, natural furnishings and pure African elegance. Kusi Villas have the premium locations, with an additional outdoor shower and beach sala.

Kusi Villas have the premium locations, with an additional outdoor shower and beach sala.

All of the villas have a unique energy control system whereby guests can take control of their own eco-footprint. All mod cons are there if desired, including mini bar and air-conditioning, or guests can throw their villa open to being air-cooled by the natural breezes.

Kusi Villas Features
Beachfront location and views
All villas can be set up as king or twin sharing
Air-conditioning and fans
Egyptian cotton sheets and oversize mosquito net
Large bathroom with feature indoor/outdoor shower, double vanities, separate toilet and bidet
Outdoor shower
Mozambican Butler-host service
Mini bar and tea/coffee making facilities
Private undercover deck with daybed
Sundeck with loungers
Sala

Villa Quilalea
The cliff-top Villa Quilalea offers the most astounding accommodation for a couple in the whole archipelago, with a private plunge pool, feature bathroom & dressing room, an outdoor shower, and its own separate sitting/dining area.

A private infinity pool, sitting/dining area, extended decking and relaxation areas

Villa Quilalea additionally has a feature bathroom with free-standing bath and separate dressing room, a romantic draped King size 4 poster bed, and enlarged sitting area.

It also has a private infinity pool, sitting/dining area, extended decking and relaxation areas, and a stunningly private location, including ocean access from a cliff top stepladder.

Villa Quilalea Features
Master bedroom with King size bed, indoor/outdoor feel with door opening up to lounging deck
Bathroom with freeform bath, feature handmade mosaic shower, doors opening onto the deck
Separate toilet and bidet, walk-in wardrobe
Extended sitting area
Private plunge pool
Mozambican Butler-host service
Mini bar and tea/coffee making facilities
Private undercover deck with daybed
Sundeck with loungers
Private dining area with views over sea
Private alcove for swimming with step ladder leading into the area