MOZAMBIQUE - NORTH OF PEMBA - THE QUIRIMBAS ARCHIPELAGO

The Quirimbas Archipelago consists of 32 islands, including historic Ibo Island, a major trading center in previous centuries when Arabs controlled Africa’s east Coast.  Ibo later became a Portuguese colony, today just a Ghost Town.  The main fishing focus will be on the Quirimbas Archipelago, which begin about 20 km North of Pemba and continuing almost to the Tanzanian border, 270 km to the North.  Shallow water amongst the islands, yet very deep channels close inshore make for unbelievable fishing of all kinds.

ST LAZARUS BANKS    (12 degrees 11 300 S    41 degrees 23 700 E)

East of the Quirimbas islands lies the remote St Lazarus Banks, one of the only places where Marlin is known to come to bread.  The Bank is approximately 30 km long and 20 km wide.  What can I say – the bank rises up from a depth of 2400m to 20 m, being the average depth with pinnacles of 18, 11, 8 and 6 meters deep, 100 km from the mainland. It is covered with all sorts of coral and fish.  This is simply an amazing place – so many birds and so many fish.  This is without doubt the highlight of your Fishing trip. Tackle such as rapala’s do not last long and get eaten up.  Using tackle less that 50 lb is asking for trouble.  All the fish here come out of the big moulds.

Allow me to quote on your dream trip of a lifetime. The Islands with their white sandy beaches and Indigo clear Blue water is just a memory in itself.  The Dolphins looks like they are hanging in mid air in the blue water waiting for a snorkeling friend, which will make a memory of a lifetime.  I have fished all over the world and have never seen fish like this anywhere.  One cannot compare it with any other place in the world.  It is completely and uniquely different and definitely worth it.