About
Vamizi Island is a slender coral island located in the Quirimbas Archipelago off the remote northern coast of Mozambique, recognized as a leading luxury private island and conservation project in East Africa and the Indian Ocean. Measuring approximately 12 kilometers long and 2 kilometers wide, the island is characterized by immaculate powder-soft beaches, pristine Indian Ocean waters, and thick coastal forests of acacia, hibiscus, and casuarina trees. It is situated in a marine conservation area, boasting one of the healthiest coral reef ecosystems globally, with over 180 species of coral and more than 400 species of reef fish. Notably, "Neptune's Arm" is considered one of the world's top ten dive sites. The island also serves as a sanctuary for mangrove forests, a threatened habitat.The island is a haven for diverse wildlife, including four species of turtles, giant coconut crabs, dugongs, Samango monkeys, and 112 species of birds. Seasonal turtle nesting and hatching excursions are a highlight, and humpback whales can often be sighted between June and October. Activities on Vamizi Island cater to both relaxation and adventure, offering world-class snorkelling and scuba diving across 16 different sites, deep-sea fishing for species like sailfish and marlin, guided nature walks, birding, dhow sailing, sea kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and castaway picnics on deserted beaches. The Vamizi Island Lodge, opened by Nelson Mandela in 2006, and several private villas provide luxurious, secluded accommodation, emphasizing a "barefoot luxury" experience.Historically, Vamizi, then known as Amisa, was visited by Arab sailors in the 15th century and later by Portuguese traders interested in its Maluane cloth industry, indigo, timber, ivory, manna gum, and turtle shells. A significant conservation project began in the early 1990s, leading to the establishment of the Cabo Delgado Biodiversity and Tourism project in 1998 in collaboration with the Zoological Society of London. The Friends of Vamizi Trust, a UK registered charity, continues to manage the island's conservation and community initiatives, ensuring the marine life remains as abundant as it was a century ago. The island experienced a brief capture by ISIL-aligned militants in September 2020 but was swiftly recaptured by Mozambican forces.