Marine life fills the seas that surround these idyllic islands, with the isolated beaches providing nesting sites for various turtle species. Tropical fish dart through the warm waters, which also attract whales, dolphins and migratory birds.
It is not just wildlife and desert-island landscapes that make these islands remarkable. Once simply scattered with forgotten fishing settlements, the Quirimbas Archipelago flourished during medieval times. Trading posts dotted the islands, which were visited by both Portuguese and Arab traders.
Eventually, the islands – along with the rest of Mozambique – were colonised by the Portuguese, and colonial architecture still litters the region. In particular, Ibo Island is renowned for its crumbling colonial buildings.