Azura at Quilalea is the second luxury Indian Ocean Retreat from the Azura Retreats group, bringing Azura’s trademark African-chic style to Quilalea Private Island, a private, wholly uninhabited island surrounded by the pristine waters of the Quirimbas Archipelago marine sanctuary.
The vision is to provide the ultimate in private luxury hideaways in stunning undiscovered destinations. Azura at Quilalea is a hidden gem, attention to detail, as ever with Azura, is paramount in the design, the finishes, and the overall wow factor of the island experience.
Quilalea Private Island is an idyllic Mozambique island nestling in a forgotten corner of Mozambique’s Quirimbas Archipelago in the tropical Indian Ocean. Azura at Quilalea’s nine private villas each offer magnificent sea views, providing a haven of luxury island accommodation. Surrounded by the sparkling, azure waters of the warm Indian Ocean.
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. The villas are open-plan and spacious, with stylish décors of wood, cotton and materials such as rope, pebbles and rattan, all blending in seamlessly with the island surroundings. Guests can choose between three categories of villa: 4 Sunrise Villas, 4 Sunset Villas, and Villa Quilalea. The island may also be booked out in its entirety for a complete private island experience.
The main bar and pool area has been substantially reconfigured, including a chill zone with large cushions for lazing around. The kitchen has been completely re-designed and fitted with state of the art equipment, the Dining Room has an all new Wine Cellar for private dining. There is also an all new fully equipped Padi Dive and Watersports Centre.
Quilalea Island is one of the Southernmost islands in the pristine Quirimbas Archipelago, 30 nautical miles North of Pemba. It has one of only a few 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. The island is covered in indigenous vegetation, with statuesque age old baobab groves and stunning flora and fauna.
There are 4 large sandy beaches on the island, the villas are spread along 2 of them, boat access, remote and beautiful turtle beach is home to dozens of nesting turtles and is an excellent spot for a private picnic lunch. It’s just as amazing below the sea, with snorkeling accessible off the beaches and around most of the island, a spectacular house reef for diving just a short fin kick away from the main beach. This is paradise for lovers of marine life and marine experiences.
Cuisine at Quilalea is focused around the natural produce available locally. Lots of fresh fish and seafood dominate the menu, with dining a relaxed and laid back affair. For the wine connoisseur, there is a wine cellar stocked with fine wines from the owner’s estates
ACTIVITIES
Snorkel the island’s shores, dive from the main beach, kayak the mangroves or relax in a hammock beneath the giant baobabs on the island. Quilalea is the ultimate private luxury hideaway in a stunning undiscovered destination, an untouched paradise for the just a discerning few to discover. Cliff-top African Spa, Beach picnics / private dining experiences, Island Baobab nature walk Mangrove Kayaking on nearby Sencar Island, Scuba Diving and scuba diving courses, Deep sea fishing, Dhow sailing, Dhow Sunset Cruise, Island hopping and remote beach picnics, Cultural visits including nearby historic Ibo Island, Tours of the working coconut plantation on Quirimba Island and the local village.
Azura at Quilalea uniquely African spa offers signature treatments based on local ingredients and traditions. These include being rubbed down with ground coconut shells, covered head to toe with tamarind and aloe, or gently massaged with warm marula oil. The Spa has a stunning location on the Island’s headland where there is a natural rock alcove with rhythmical splashing of the water at high tide to aid in the relaxation process.
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