Diving from Medjumbe Island, Mozambique

Medjumbe scuba diving features

Steep walls

Pristine hard corals

Anemones and clownfish

MEDJUMBE'S TOP DIVE SITE: The Edge of Reason

DESTINATION OVERVIEW
North from Pemba town, and running parallel to the Mozambique coast, are the 32 tiny coral islands of the Quirimbas Archipelago. These stretch up as far as the Rovuma River, which creates the border with Tanzania, and are sandwiched between the coast and the Mozambique Channel. Along with a vast area of mainland forest, the southernmost 11 of these coral islands form the Quirimbas National Park.

This entire area is incredibly remote. Flying overhead in a small aircraft reveals that there is virtually no human habitation. The tiny islands are breathtakingly beautiful – Medjumbe is a classic picture-postcard image of white sand beches edged by a turquoise lagoon.

Scuba diving is definitely a new and growing sport right across the Quirimbas. Many of the reefs have never been seen by divers, partly due to the restrictions of the daily tides. The broad lagoon that encapsulates Medjumbe extends for quite some way from the beach restricting the movement of boats. At certain times of day, you literally have to wait for the sea to return so you can travel to the fringing reef. However, that's no great hardship as you are forced to sit and admire the idyllic view and the seabirds.

Click the ad to visit Rani Resorts, owners Medjumbe Private Island.

Seasons
Year round
Visibility:
10 – 40 metres
Water temperature:
25 – 29º C.
Deco chambers:
Durban

Flights with Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique, the national carrier

Dive operators and accommodation options Medjumbe Private Island is operated by Rani Resorts; dive operation on-site.

PROS AND CONS
It's not easy to get to northern, or indeed any part of Mozambique, as there is only the one national airline that connects the other regional cities once or twice a week. There is also only a minimal tourist infrastructure, but what is there is good quality and good value. Medjumbe is a top-notch, all-inclusive resort. There is nothing else on the island.

SCUBA DIVING
Northern Mozambique has yet to make it's mark on the diver radar but that seems like a big positive to us – no crowds, no boats, almost no divers! The corals around Medjumbe are fantastic and there are plenty of small fish. The deeper wall dives are exciting with bigger schools of pelagic fish. The tides washing across the lagoon means that the sand is moving constantly so visibility can drop a little.

OPINION
Medjumbe Private Island has to be one of the most romantic and delightful resort islands we have seen in a very long time, a rare mix of rustic charm and subtle luxury. The reefs are highly under-dived and our only real disappointment was not having enough time to see all the available dives.