The Experience
Azura at Quilalea
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 paradise surrounded by the pristine waters of the Quirimbas Archipelago marine sanctuary.
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 in the 9 seafront villas.
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.
Experiences
Water Based Activities
With the Indian Ocean on our doorstep, many of our activities and experiences are focused around it. The protected reefs in the Quirimbas Archipelago offer some of the most spectacular snorkelling and diving in the world. Snorkelling is accessible off the beaches and around most of the island, the sea patrolled by huge potato bass and schools of hunting jacks, and a spectacular house reef for diving is just a short fin kick away from the main beach. This is paradise for lovers of marine life and marine experiences.
You can saltwater fish or big game fish, watch the sunset as you sail on our dhow, picnic in splendid isolation, or cruise to other deserted beaches. Gaze at the dolphins, often spotted from our boats, or track down humpback whales on their seasonal migration past our shores.
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.
Land Based Activities
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.
Spa
Azura offers unique African Spa treatments at the beautiful clifftop spa. Lie back and relax to the calming sounds of the ocean lapping against the headland cliffs, while you indulge in one of our signature treatments.
We use only natural ingredients sourced from the wilds of Africa, for the ultimate relaxing and pampering African Spa experience. Every treatment starts with a foot bath with scented water, where your therapist will discuss your specific needs and the natural ingredients that will be used.
Honeymoon
Azura is one of the most romantic destinations in the world. A deserted remote island paradise, reached by a spectacular light aircraft flight over the pristine turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, a uniquely special place and a haven of privacy to spend the most important vacation of your life.
Family
Azura at Quilalea Private Island is a wonderful place for a family holiday. Children and teens will be spoilt for choice when it comes to spending time here with us. Whilst we don’t have the traditional kids and activity clubs you find in larger hotels, we offer a host of activities for children and families to participate in. Our focus is on the amazing pristine environment here at Azura. There is so much to experience and learn about. All under the guidance of our experienced and knowledgeable team.
Butler Hosts – At Azura we care about making your stay special. That starts with providing a Mozambican Butler-host to look after you during your stay. They’ll take care of you during your time with us, including serving your meals, running down the beach with a table and chairs if you want lunch at the water’s edge, or serving the cocktail of the day to your beachside Sala as the sun goes down
They are part of Azura’s commitment to the community and upliftment of the country’s people. Many of them have very little in the way of formal education, but they have a genuine warmth and friendliness, and will delight in looking after you. They don’t always get it 100% right, but that’s all part of the charm. They have big smiles and even bigger stories to share with you. Our guests come to love them so much they often ask to take them home!
The whole team at Azura makes looking after you their priority. The chef will chat about your favourite foods, the watersports team will take you out exploring our amazing marine world and the spa therapist will help you relax, even more than you already are in this barefoot paradise.
Wining & Dining
Our aim is for you to never eat in the same place twice. At Azura, dining is all part of the experience, from breakfast at the water’s edge, to a picnic on a sandy island, to dining on a candle lit beach beneath the stars. Our Butler-hosts take huge pride in their innovative dining set-ups, and little touches to make your stay special.
Our menus are based on what is fresh and available, with a focus on light meals, simple ingredients, and lots of fresh fish and seafood. It’s a simple understated affair. We always offer a choice of dishes, and our chef will happily try to accommodate any personal requests that you may have, although given the remoteness of our location, your understanding is appreciated if something you have a particular craving for is simply unobtainable! The huge Mangrove Crabs are a particular speciality, as well as Crayfish which is available in abundance.
Lunches may be a picnic if you are out enjoying an activity, or informal dining at the pool deck overlooking the parrot fish below. Enjoy sipping our cocktail of the day in a variety of surprise locations, and nothing beats watching sunset from the headland, while the moon rises behind you, with drinks and snacks in hand.
Dinner is always a special event, eaten on the beach by candlelight beneath the stars whenever we can. We offer a variety of special dining options too, including secluded beach picnics or romantic private beach dinners at your villa.
We ask younger children to eat supper early or in their villa, and our chef will happily make a range of children’s meals in discussion with you on arrival.
Rates at Azura include all meals other than beach picnics and private in-villa dining.
Local beers and spirits, house wines, tea & coffee and soft drinks are also included.
Terms & Conditions
RATES INCLUDE:
• Accommodation in sea facing villas
• All meals including main beach dinners
• Local beers & spirits, selection of house wines
• Soft drinks, tea & coffee, water
• Sunset cocktail of the day
• Mozambican Butler/Host Service
• Wifi in public areas
• Use of snorkeling equipment
• Use of kayaks
• Baobab walking trails
• Various Honeymoon special treats
• Various Children’s Activities (see Activity Sheet)
• EVAC Medical Insurance from Pemba
RATES EXCLUDE:
• Visas if required
• Premium spirits, cocktails, wines and champagnes
• Guided/specialist activities, fishing, boat hire, motorized snorkeling
• Island hopping, dhow sailing, scuba diving and scuba courses
• Special private dining events and beach picnics
• Spa treatments, laundry, personal gifts and staff gratuities
• National Park fees
• Optional $10 per villa per night Rainbow Fund contribution
• 17% government tax is charged on all extras locally
• Travel Insurance (recommended)
• Special Event Supplement (charged at time of booking, children at 50%): $175pp on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day, $200pp on New Year’s Eve.
Travelwizard.com Guests Receive:
- For 2014 & 2015
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Daily full breakfast, for up to two in room guests
- Guest’s choice of
- Complimentary Guided Snorkelling Safari at the Canyon for 2 persons ($100 value) OR One $100 USD equivalent Gift Voucher to use at the Trading Store
- Early check-in/late check-out
- subject to availability