Formerly called Porto Amelia, Pemba is located on the south shore of Pemba Bay – the third-largest bay in the world. It’s a vibrant city with a modern port, international airport and some world-class hotels and restaurants.

The southern islands fall within the 1,500 square kilometre Quirimbas National Park and some feature dramatic underwater vertical drops of more than 400m, making this a prime destination for "wall" diving. The walls of the drops are home to coral-covered caves and an amazingly wide variety of tropical fish including the beautiful Moorish idol, the gigantic Napoleon wrasse and colourful powder-blue surgeon-fish.

The islands of the Quirimbas are also steeped in culture and history and are a melting pot of African, Portuguese and Arabian influences. Ibo, in particular, boasts some amazing 16th-century fortresses once used by Arab slave-traders, pirates and ivory-smugglers. It also has a 200-year-old "ghost" town and one of only four pentagonal forts left in Africa. The fort’s ancient cannons are still in their original position – aimed seaward at the entrance to the harbour, protecting Ibo from then marauding French traders.

Other areas of interest in Mozambique:
Central Islands of Vilanculos & Bazaruto

Other regions in close proximity to Mozambique:
Victoria Falls