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.
Azura at Quilalea is the second luxury Indian Ocean Retreat from the Azura Retreats group, the privately owned and managed hotels from Christopher and Stella Bettany, It is 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.
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.
Kaskazi Villas
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A haven of rest and relaxation just footsteps from the beach, yet designed with seclusion in mind.
The 4 Kaskazi 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 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.
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
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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.
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.
Villa Quilalea
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The cliff-top Villa Quilalea offers the most astounding accommodation for a couple in the whole Quirimbas Archipelago, located on its own private part of the island where guests can enjoy magnificent views over the turquoise seas with dhows sailing by.
Sip cocktails on the extended outdoor deck of the villa while watching the beauty of the sunset, or delight in an exquisite candlelit dinner served in the private dining area. Alternatively luxuriate in your private infinity plunge pool.
Guests can access the ocean from their own cliff top step-ladder, which leads into a private alcove with a small beach at low tide, and immediate swimming and snorkelling at high tide, so to experience the impressive underwater world of Quilalea Private Island.
Quilalea Private Island Exclusive Use
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Guests are now able to enjoy the full private island experience at Azura Quilalea by having the use of the 86 pristine acres exclusively – perfect for a large family or group of friends.
The wholly uninhabited island paradise is surrounded by the crystal clear waters of the Quirimbas Archipelago marine sanctuary, a hidden gem, somewhere to retreat to from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Quilalea Island has the only deep-water mooring 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, and a spectacular snorkelling and diving experience for our guests. All this can be exclusive to you and your guests!
All villas available to you…
The villas at Quilalea provide you with your own island castaway home, a private bolthole 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. 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.
Complimentary Amenities
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All of the award winning villas at Azura Quilalea Private Island envelop you in the lap of luxury, and are situated just a few steps from the Indian Ocean.
Villa inclusions are luxurious Egyptian cotton 400 threadcount bedlinen, feature indoor/outdoor Baobab showers, organic African in-room amenities, aroma-burner turndown, bathrobes and slippers, hairdryer, air-conditioning, Azura Beach bag for use during your stay, selection of books.
Kusi Villas additionally have outside rinse off shower and a hammock.
Villa Quilalea additionally offers romantically draped 4 poster bed, feature indoor/outdoor bathroom with generously sized bathtub, dressing room, private dining room, cliff top plunge pool.
The following experiences are included for all guests staying on standard rates:
Personalised service from your Mozambican Butler-Host, unlimited use of snorkelling equipment, unlimited use of kayaks
The following wining and dining experiences are included in our standard rates:
Bottle of French sparkling wine on arrival*, sunset Cocktail of the day delivered by your Butler-host, every day is different Dining Philosophy, pre-arrival questionnaire and tailored menus where appropriate, in room mini bar, unlimited bottled water and soft drinks included, choice of at least 3 inclusive wines, a selection of inclusive alcoholic beverages*, premium wine and champagne list available at a surcharge.
*Not included in all rate packages, please check at time of booking
Dining at Azura Quilalea
The 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 hosts take huge pride in their innovative dining set-ups, and little touches to make your stay special.
The 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. They always offer a choice of dishes, and their chef will happily try to accommodate any personal requests that you may have, although given the remoteness of the 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 the 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 they can. They offer a variety of special dining options too, including secluded beach picnics or romantic private beach dinners at your villa.
The management ask younger children to eat supper early or in their villa, and the chef will happily make a range of children’s meals in discussion with you on arrival.
Scuba diving at Azura Quilalea
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 Azura Quilalea, these dive sites offer a rare opportunity to discover an underwater world that is visited by just a few lucky divers each year.
The 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 the house reef, there are another 17 dive sites that you can visit inside and outside of the Quilalea Marine Sanctuary, including some fantastic drop offs and coral gardens.
They 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. The 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 the dive instructor on arrival or inform us at time of booking. 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 Divemaster level of training; Bubblemaker, Discover Suba, Discover Scuba Diving, Scuba Diver, Openwater Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver are all on offer.
Azura African 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.
They 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.
If you would prefer, you can enjoy most of these world class treatments in the comfort of your own villa, or on your deck, to take advantage of Azura’s beautiful romantic setting.
The signature treatments take their inspiration from the very heart of Africa. Try ‘African Beginnings’, a traditional African ritual that starts by polishing your skin with crushed wild apricot kernel, specially blended with chamomile, vetifer and eucalyptus to cleanse and refresh and added vitamin E to protect and smooth. This is followed by either a detoxifying and cleansing traditional African mud wrap or a rich and hydrating shea butter wrap. Smooth, glowing skin African style! Or try something different with the Tribal Traditions massage, where olive and shea butter is poured all over the body, and massage strokes mimic the beating of African drums.
FACES OF THE SEA SCUBA HOLIDAYS 