Medjumbe in Quirimbas National Park

Medjumbe is located in Cabo Delgado Province, within Quirimbas National Park and a marine protected area. The island is one kilometer long.

Island Nature and Travel Season

Coral reefs surround Medjumbe. The island is also a habitat for various migratory birds and endemic species. The reef environment and birdlife are distinct aspects of its natural setting. If you take nature-related considerations into account when choosing a destination, these features can help you see Medjumbe as an island destination.

A resort activity brochure from 2020 describes Medjumbe as a nesting site for green sea turtles. They come to the island each year in November and April to lay their eggs; the timing can vary. For your travel planning, these months offer a seasonal guide, but not a fixed date. If this natural feature influences your choice of travel time, take the possible variation into account.

The information on travel seasons varies: reefs and birdlife describe the natural setting, while turtle nesting is specifically associated with November and April. The exact timing can still vary.

A tourism article from 2025 describes strict environmental rules in the marine protected area to safeguard natural resources. This complements Medjumbe’s geographic context with the wider area’s conservation focus.

Cabo Delgado as a Wider Context

In the broader destination of Cabo Delgado, the Quirimbas Archipelago consists of 27 islands, 11 of which belong to Quirimbas National Park. The marine protected area covers around 30 islands and sandbanks. The figures refer to different geographic units: the archipelago, the portion within the national park, and the marine protected area.

The waters of the archipelago contain extensive coral reefs, and are home to dolphins, turtles, dugongs, and rays, among other species. Quirimbas National Park is home to more than 375 fish species. In the broader destination of Cabo Delgado, marine activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, canoeing, and boat trips are also offered in the park. This information offers a broader view of the marine diversity and activities across the park and archipelago.

One cultural landmark in the broader destination of Cabo Delgado is Stone Town on Ibo Island. It is described on the UNESCO Tentative List as an outstanding material expression of cultural encounter and exchange; inclusion on the Tentative List does not mean it is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ibo Island’s architecture, urban setting, and living culture show influences from Europe, Arabia, and India that came together over several centuries and, alongside traditional Swahili techniques, gave rise to a distinctive culture. This cultural aspect thus complements Cabo Delgado’s natural setting, while remaining rooted on Ibo Island. In the broader destination of Cabo Delgado, two other natural features complement the marine themes: Cagavera Lagoon in Quirimbas National Park is a place to observe rare bird species; the inselbergs in Meluco District offer opportunities to experience the mainland’s fauna and flora.

Discover more destinations: Mocimboa Da Praia, Inhaca, João, Inhambane, Miramar, Praia Do Bilene, Vilankulo, Ibo

Go to the broader travel overview: Mozambique.