Charter a Catamaran
Cruise the waters of the Quirimbas Archipelago on your spacious, private catamaran.
Dive and fish the rich waters of the Quirimbas Archipelago, in northern Mozambique. Setting off from idyllic Ibo Island, with its colourful history, sail to St. Lazarus Bank aboard a beautiful 12-metre-long sailing catamaran. Explore this fascinating underwater landscape – alive with marine life.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
Diving
Dive with freedom off the fish-rich St. Lazarus Bank, which rises from the deep.
Ibo Island
Stay on peaceful Ibo Island, littered with crumbling colonial buildings.
Water Sports
Snorkel, paddleboard and kayak from the yacht.
Why we like it
This charter offers the chance to explore the waters of the Quirimbas Archipelago, both above and below the surface. With a fully staffed 12-metre catamaran at your disposal, cruise between the white-sand islands that make up this beautiful coastal reserve. The freedom to dive far offshore allows for total flexibility, meaning that an entire day can be spent exploring the underwater world of St. Lazurus Bank.
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Day 1
Pemba - Ibo Island
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Day 2
Ibo Island
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Day 3
Quirimbas National Park
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Days 4-5
Quirimbas National Park
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Day 6
Ibo Island - Pemba
Day 1
Pemba - Ibo Island
Ibo Island
Stay on peaceful Ibo Island, littered with crumbling colonial buildings
Day 2
Ibo Island
Charter a Catamaran
Cruise the waters of the Quirimbas Archipelago on your spacious, private catamaran.
Day 3
Quirimbas National Park
Diving
Dive with freedom off the fish-rich St. Lazarus Bank, which rises from the deep.
Days 4-5
Quirimbas National Park
Water Sports
Snorkel, paddleboard and kayak from the yacht.
Day 6
Ibo Island - Pemba
More Details
The Yacht
Spend two nights aboard this beautiful catamaran, in between time spent at Ibo Island Lodge. A professional skipper and crew staff the boat, which is also equipped with diving equipment, fishing gear, kayaks, paddleboards and a pair of motor skiffs.
Modern and designed with comfort in mind, this elegant vessel is perfect for cruising the tranquil waters of the Quirimbas Archipelago. Below decks, the yacht is clean and spacious. Three double cabins, a saloon and galley fil the interior. All meals are provided and all equipment is free to use. Spend time making the most of this ocean playground, or relax on deck and admire the attractive scenery.
Diving off Ibo Island
Begin with a full day of diving off the lighthouse on Ibo Island. Although relatively accessible, this reef offers fantastic diving. A beautiful underwater wall is decorated with soft corals, bucket corals and green tree corals. Fish dart through this colourful coral forest, with angelfish, praying mantis shrimps and ribbon eels commonly spotted.
St Lazarus Bank
The following day, leave land behind and head towards St. Lazarus Bank. Spend a full day diving the waters of this vast submerged atoll, where the sea boils with marine life. This steep-sided sandbank rises from depths of 2,400 metres, attracting a wealth of sea creatures. Dive off the beautiful reef, spotting the colourful fish that dart between the coral formations.
Fishing
For those who prefer to stay above the water, the St. Lazurus Bank offers an entirely different opportunity. This rich environment in an excellent spot for fishing. Taking advantage of the on-board gear, spend hours fishing these teeming waters, making sure to catch and release. Large shoals of fish are found here, including kingfish, dorados, barracudas, wahoos, yellowfin tuna and sailfish.
A note on price
Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
This Itinerary
Price
From £3,450 Per person
When to travel
Mozambique in January
January is the start of the rainy season in Mozambique. Cyclones do at times affect the coastlines which pass rather quickly. Temperatures can reach into the 30s and sea temperatures are in the mid-20s
Mozambique in February
Still falling within the rainy season, expect afternoon showers or the occasional cyclone.
Mozambique in March
March is the end of the rains and although the temperatures are still high the humidity is easing off.
Mozambique in April
Heading into April it becomes one of the better times to visit Mozambique. Day time temperatures are still high, with at times a wonderful sea breeze.
Mozambique in May
In May temperatures start to drop slightly but still a fabulous time to visit. The skies are clear and the waters are calm which will make it the perfect time to enjoy snorkelling and diving.
Mozambique in June
June brings warm sunny days. The waters along the coastline are much calmer and will be a great time for diving and snorkelling. The annual Humpback Whale migration starts in June along the coast with the whales making their way up from the waters of Antarctica up north along the Mozambique coastline. This time of year will be the perfect time to visit the national parks for Gorongosa and Niassa.
Mozambique in July
During July it is the mid-winter and the middle of the dry season. Days will be beautifully warm and mild with a cool ocean breeze in the evenings. Along with great weather for diving and snorkelling, it will be the perfect time to explore the lively capital, Maputo or the World Heritage Site of Ilha de Mozambique.
Mozambique in August
August is another beautiful month in Mozambique. Days are still mild and sunny which is just perfect for spending time on the beach or set out exploring the smaller islands by dhow or catamaran from Ibo Island.
Mozambique in September
September is the start of Spring and temperatures start to rise. With the higher temperatures, September is one of the best times to dive or snorkel. The migration of the humpback whales continues as they start to head back down to Antarctica over the next few months. In the reserves of Niassa and Gorongosa the animals are giving birth and due to the lack of rain tend to keep close to the waterholes.
Mozambique in October
Alone the coast the temperatures continue to climb and the humidity starts to increase. Day time temperatures are hot and dry but in the evenings it will cool down. October will be one of the last opportunities to see the humpback whales before they head off.
Mozambique in November
The temperature continues to climb, as does the humidity. With the increase in humidity expect thundershowers and rainstorms during the day and early evening.
Mozambique in December
During the course of the month, temperatures start to reach their peak and although your days will be beautifully sunny you can expect the odd thunderstorm. Keep a lookout along the shoreline as it is the perfect time of year to see turtles come ashore to nest.
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