Just 20 minutes by air from its sister lodge Matemo, Medjumbe is a smaller and more exclusive island lodge that also ticks pretty much all of the island paradise boxes - think breathtaking white sand beaches and sandbars fringed by an impossibly turquoise ocean! In fact Medjumbe is one of the smallest islands in the Quirimbas, a speck of land about a kilometre long and unlike Matemo there is no local village. At low tide the receding waters reveal a magnificent sandbar jutting out like a gorgeous white needle from the island into the sea – it all adds up to some of the most stunning and pristine beaches you’re ever going to encounter!a smaller and more exclusive island lodge that also ticks pretty much all of the island paradise boxes - think breathtaking white sand beaches and sandbars fringed by an impossibly turquoise ocean!

Compared to Matemo the lodge itself is smaller too – just 13 chalets compared to 24 – and they’ve also added charming tiny plunge pools to each chalet which the lodge likes to refer to as “cuddle puddles!” Add to this the fact that kids under 12 aren’t allowed on the island and you get the perfect recipe for honeymoon/couples bliss! Inside, the chalets themselves have a similar feel to those at Matemo with painted wooden walls, polished wooden floors and a décor style that’s an interesting cross between Beach House chic and more exotic Moroccan accents – they also come with all the various mod-cons more typically associated with larger luxury resorts in more commercial destinations like Mauritius, such as satellite TV’s, air-conditioning and mini-bars. It all adds up to a very comfortable place to relax in paradise even if it has a somehow less authentic feel than the rooms at competitors like Benguerra Lodge or Vamizi for example. Apart from the plunge pools, another feature we like are the private outdoor showers whilst the outdoor hammocks on the verandas are the perfect place to chill out with a book or just gaze out over the ocean.

Whilst the tiny island is home to some stunning stretches of beach, it is the waters beyond that are the real jewel in the crown here, with a feast of different watersports including sensational scuba diving and deep sea fishing on offer. The Quirimbas boast some of the healthiest and richest coral reefs in the world which largely escaped the coral bleaching event of 1998, so keen diving enthusiasts and casual snorkelers alike are in for a treat! The waters around the island also abound in big game fish so spoil yourself with a half day’s adventure pursuing Yellowfin Tuna, Sailfish, Dorado and the incomparable Giant Trevalley. You could choose to propel yourself around the waters doing such sports as kayaking, windsurfing or sailing, but if it’s action-packed thrills you’re after then waterskiing and wake boarding are (quite unusually for lodges in the area) also on offer.

If you’re after something a little more laid back, enjoy a sunset dhow cruise or take a stroll along the sandbar and marvel at the multitude of different sea birds that rise from the sand like a cloud as you approach or patrol the shallows on the lookout for a meal. Gazing out to sea you might even be lucky enough to spot some of the humpback whales that migrate through these waters every year from around August through November.

Whether you choose to spend your days just chilling or busily enjoying the many water based activities on offer, you’ll no doubt find yourself congregating at the bar to enjoy a well earned sundowner before dinner (Medjumbe is All Inclusive so you don’t have to worry about an eye-watering bar bill on departure either which is a big plus!) The restaurant has an inside and outside deck with verandah, swimming pool and sea-facing bar with magnificent views of the breathtaking surroundings. The food here is pretty special too, attracting consistently excellent feedback from guests. You’ll also enjoy being served by some of the most friendly, gentle and smiling people – it all adds up to an unforgettable holiday in one of the most beautiful and unspoiled spots on the planet!

Perhaps the most stunningly beautiful island of all the gems that make up the Quirimbas Archipelago - the whitest, softest sandy beaches bordered by brilliant turquoise water make it a “sunglasses essential” zone!

Small and exclusive – both the island and lodge – so the perfect venue for romantics and honeymooners looking for peace and solitude

You’ll no doubt also love the “cuddle puddle” private plunge pools!

The reefs around Medjumbe boast pristine corals and the waters teem with game fish making for sensational diving, snorkeling and fishing

Take a walk along the beaches and the exposed sandbar to admire the wheeling flocks of terns and herons on the hunt

The chalets perhaps lack the authentic style and design flair to really fully do this gorgeous island justice

The island is physically small with not much to explore on land, so if you’re the type that suffers from “island fever” you may want to go somewhere larger

The chalets are a little closer together than we would choose ideally

If you’re the more sociable type looking for a more lively atmosphere you would probably be better off looking at its sister lodges Indigo Bay or Matemo