Discover New Tropical Nirvanas this Year

Two island chains along the Mozambique coast — the Bazaruto and Quirimbas archipelagos — offer all of the advantages of an Indian Ocean tropical paradise escape with far fewer people and often at much lower prices.

The gorgeous Quirimbas Archipelago stretches along Mozambique’s northern coastline. Here, the horizon is an endless swirl of white sand, turquoise lagoons and Indian Ocean blue. Visitors to these remote isles can set sail in search of whales and dolphins, dive some of the world’s best (and most unspoiled) coral reefs, or laze on a deserted beach as sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs.

Tucked into this paradise is Anantara Medjumbe Island Resort, located on a small private island in the middle of the archipelago. With only 12 beach villas scattered across the island, it’s easy to cast away in luxury Robinson Crusoe style.

Farther down Mozambique’s 1,550-mile-long coastline are the Bazaruto islands, an aquatic playground bathed in brilliant watercolor hues. Protected within the confines of a marine reserve and national park, the islands flaunt a pristine beauty that’s hard to find on planet Earth these days.

Located on the Ilha de Bazaruto (“Island of the Mist”), the luxurious Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort lies 18 miles off the mainland. Here guests can swim with dolphins and observe the annual migration of humpback whales from July to September. They can set sail for the sunset, wander among the island’s rolling dunes, and in the process surrender to nature’s beauty in one of the last untouched nirvanas.