Best Kept Secret Places: Ibo Island and Ibo Island Lodge, Mozambique

[Nicholas Kontis]

Welcome to the Ibo experience. The mystery, the magic, the culture and beauty of Ibo Island beckons. Nominated for World Heritage status, and the head quarters of the Quirimbas National Park, Ibo has been described as one of the most unique and atmospheric islands in the world.

Built with the community, today either directly or indirectly, Ibo Island Lodge benefits a large part of Ibo's population. Here your visit really does make a difference. Beach excursions, guided cultural and heritage experiences, snorkeling, sea kayaking, dhow sailing, birding, mangrove forests, sumptuous seafood, romance, simplicity, tranquility and a perspective that will change your life forever.  Welcome to the Ibo experience.

Ibo Island lies in the Quirimbas Archipelago of northern Mozambique. This is an aerial view of Ibo Island.

Culture And Tradition

Ibo also bursts at the seams with culture and tradition. The community is a fascinating blend of people, all sharing in their beliefs, and all indelibly intertwined. Visiting Ibo Island offers a combination of lazy beach bliss, with snorkeling and exploring the history and culture of this magical little island.  You’ll dine on the freshest of seafood and discover the islands secrets that you’ll feel the first to discover.

Paradise Undiscovered

The Combination

Ibo has been called one of the most atmospheric islands in the world. Historically, the island see-sawed between Portuguese and Omani Arab rule. As if not an island, but some marked treasure trove. Architectural heirlooms from this era still stand in the beautiful stone town of Ibo, reflecting this rich legacy. Culture And Tradition Ibo also bursts at the seams with culture and tradition. The community is a fascinating blend of people, all sharing in their beliefs, and all indelibly intertwined. Visiting Ibo Island offers a combination of lazy beach bliss, with snorkeling and exploring the history and culture of this magical little island.  You’ll dine on the freshest of seafood and discover the islands secrets that you’ll feel the first to discover.

Your own private beach

Ibo Island Travel

Beaches are deserted and secretly hidden. They seem to hide under the tides, and somehow, secretly reveal their sugar sand as you come closer. Warm crystal blue waters surround the shores, ideal for diving, snorkelling, and fishing. Many visitors have shared this oceanic paradise with not so shy dolphins, and unconcerned turtles.

Aerial view of Forested Island

Forested Island

Stepping onto dry land, Ibo Island is like a fairytale. It is a village clenched onto long-established values, heritage, and traditions. An island that is a century old land based wonder. Ancient historical buildings from the 1500s still stand. There is no shortage of indigenous exotic tropical trees, flora and fauna on land. Ibo also nests an impressive bird collection, 10 being red-listed, and has attracted avid birders from all over the world. A love story The island has a romance of it is own. A love story not quite like any other. Ibo Island has remained all but forgotten to the outside world for almost a century. A place that time forgot, and only now are people returning to know it again.

Ibo Island has 3 beaches surrounding the island. One on our doorstep right in front of the lodge which many guests swim from at high tide, one at the tip of the island by the light house which makes for an amazing walk at low tide, and the beach at the harbor. Like all islands and beaches in Mozambique, Ibo is tidal and at highs and lows, you can either have water and no sand, or sand and no water! This makes for an ever changing beautiful view in front of the lodge depending on the tides. For the pristine beach experience that Mozambique is so famous for Ibo’s best kept secret is the sandbank beach, accessed only by boat. A Deserted Beach The bech the lodge uses each day is secluded, and appears in the middle of the Indian Ocean, totally surrounded by blue, clear water and soft sand.

Sandbank Beach

Chasing The Tides

Guests have described our sandbank beach excursion as lazy beach bliss at its absolute best. Included in your stay at Ibo Island Lodge is a daily transfer to this pristine sandbank beach. Go by sailing dhow (40 minutes) for those who like to do things traditionally, or approx.15 minutes by fast rubber duck for those who take their beach and sand seriously. Either way you are guaranteed of an unforgettable experience.

The Ibo Island Lodge - Pool

The rooms have been designed to incorporate the architecture and style of the original ruins.

The  Ibo Island lodge is located on the prime waterfront site where dhows sail out to sea on each high tide.

Ibo Island Architecture

Ibo Island is zoned for World Heritage Status and supports some of the oldest buildings in Mozambique. As early as AD600 Arab traders had established contact with Ibo Island and subsequently established fortified trading posts, and forts along the coastline. Via these trading posts slaves, gold and ivory were shipped to the Arab world.

Fort of Sao Joao Batista with old canons.

Fort of São João Batista

Built in 1791 by the Portuguese Ibo's iconic star-shaped, pentagonal fort is the most recognizable structure on Ibo. It is the island’s most potent symbol. Walking through the fort you can't help but feel the history in the air as you walk from one darkened room to the next. Nowadays the Fort of São João Batista (St John the Baptist) is occupied by the silversmiths, and tourists who come to visit one of Mozambique oldest forts.

Portuguese influence can be found in the islands architecture

Ibo Island Buildings

Architectural heirlooms from the 1500′s are grown over with wild tropical bush. Crumbles of these century old buildings seem poised and suspended in time. Almost like they intended on falling down, but forgot half way. Today, craggy and old structures, reflecting a deep maroon legacy, are painted with frangipani and Bougainvillea. It’s a mix of bright flowers and crumble. The Portuguese, Dutch, Indian, Arabian and the Chinese all had a hand in the houses and buildings on Ibo. Influences from all corners of the world can be identified in what is left of Ibo Island's architecture today.

Traditional Ibo Island Girl

A Legacy

Arab influence dates back to as early AD600. Arab traders had established contact with the local inhabitants and subsequently established fortified trading posts along the coastline. Trading in the Quirimbas Islands was in amber, jet, ivory, turtle shell and people. Ibo has been conquered and crossed by many. Ibo Island history reads like a kind of turbulent fairytale. Historically, the island see-sawed between Portuguese and Omani Arab rule. As if not an island, but some marked treasure trove. The Portuguese held sway.  The Portuguese attacked Quirimba Island in 1522, because the trading Muslims of Quirimba refused to trade with the Portuguese Christians, who they probably intended to eliminate as trading rivals. By 1590 seven of the nine biggest islands were ruled by a Portuguese lord, and just two by the local Muslim traders.

Island Cemetary

Slave Trade

Slave trade became significant at this time, with the French needing labour for their plantations in Mauritius and Reunion. The Portuguese tried to control this trade. The trade brought prosperity to Ibo Ibo Island gained municipal status in 1763 and by the end of the 18th century, is regarded to have been the second most important Portuguese trading centre after Ilha do Mozambique. Throughout the 18th and 19th century the population of Ibo Island and the adjacent regions were consistently under attack from Dutch and Madagascar forces.  As a result of the attacks the Fort of São João Batista (St. John Baptist) was completed in 1791.

Happy Hour at the Lodge.

World Heritage Status

In 1902 the capital District of Cabo Delgado was transferred from Ibo Island to Port Amelia, currently the city of Pemba. Since the Portuguese left in 1975 little has happened on the island, and the small population of Ibo lived in virtual isolation. What is left of the once great trading power on Ibo, is an island steeped in history, mystery and enchantment. Ibo has remained all but forgotten to the outside world for almost a century. Architectural heirlooms from this era, canals cut by slaves, and other crumbles of evidence, gather on the outskirts of Ibo, reflecting this rich legacy. It is because of this rich heritage and historical importance that Ibo is being considered for World Heritage Site status.

Interesting Facts

Ibo has a lost world appeal, hidden on the edge of the world, and harbouring a history that hasn’t been swept up for centuries. Architecture on Ibo dates back to the 1500s. Forts once serving as military bastions, and slave houses, outline the interior of Ibo. Ibo is a melting pot of influences from around the world, creating a culture completely unique. João Baptiste is Ibo’s self-proclaimed historian, he tells stories from his home on Ibo about the islands independence movement.

Unbroken sunsets on Ibo Island are usually a legendary pink, red and orange affair.

Natural Frontier

One of the largest mangrove forests in Africa is rooted in front of Ibo Island. This region is one of the most important and bio diverse marine regions in the world. Shrubs of unbleached coral reefs are commonly found in the shallow depths. Dugongs play here. The biggest Dogtooth Tuna catches occur between Ibo and Matemo. Ibo nests over 700 different bird species,10 of these being threatened. The last sea faring dhow arrived on Ibo Island having sailed all the way from India in 1969.

Ibo Island is your own fairytale oasis.

Learn more about Mozambique's Island Paradise

www.iboisland.com

About the Author: Nick Kontis

Nick Kontis started out as a world traveler at an early age traveling back and forth between California and Greece every summer. But it was a back packing trip around the world at age 24 that proved to be a life changing experience. After traveling by car, train, , plane, bike and, boat around the world, it would be this trip of a lifetime that would lead to a life as a travel entrepreneur and world traveler. Nick has been on both radio and television. Featured on Arthur Frommer’s television show, and referred by Lonely Planet writers. Frequently mentioned as the “father of around the world airfares” Arthur Frommer once said, “If Jules Verne were alive today he would use Nick to go around the world in 80 days.” Nick and his various travel companies have sent over 10,000 people taking their dream trip through airfare discounts of as much as 50% off the airlines published fares. Now Nick promotes travel through his World Travel List and ‘Trip Rambler’ by World Travel List. Having traveled to over 80 countries Nick hopes to inspire others to travel the world.