Ibo Island & Quirimbas Getting to Ibo Prices

Fim do Mundo Dhow Safaris - please note new email address below

If you're STILL looking for Bay Diving, in Nacala, sorry, we closed it 0n 15 January 2009.

If you're now looking to do a dhow trip in the Quirimbas, well, after much drama and a spell of maintenance we are back.

A frame After moving to Ibo in April 2009 and starting the dhow safaris the following happened. During Dec 2009 our boat, our home and our business was sitting on the beach at Ibo. The administration of the Quirimbas National Park, under the WWF, and the administrator of Ibo island ordered us, against our protestations that it would destroy the dhow, to remove her from her safe anchorage in the channel and park her on the mud flats. They persuaded us with twenty AK-47 armed personnel who escorted Arthur to enforce the beach landing. Apparently word had circulated that we were secretly diving at night below our boat in the no fishing zone. Add that to the list of all the other things we have been accused of in preceeding years: selling human body parts, exporting tropical fish, burying staff up to their necks, beating up children and stealing stones, and I guess it warrants serious investigation.

So after a few hours of sitting on top of herself poor heavy Ietermagog's seams started to split and two bilge pumps were put into overdrive when the tide came in and threatened to flood her. From then on every day was a drama and living arrangements decidedly uncomfortable as she rose and sat again on the low tides at a 45 degree angle that prevents successful cooking, bathing or sleeping.

All bookings for November had to be cancelled and repaid while arrangements were made to pull her further out onto drier land in order to recaulk and fix the damage. New yacht paint was ordered from South Africa which itself had an epic 6 week adventure getting here. (*Four tins of paint looking to sell rights to their autobiography)

Then the rains came and the putty couldn't dry and she had to be pulled further out and all bookings for December had to be cancelled too.

The Quirimbas National Park sent us a letter in mid December saying that they now have no problem with us returning to our mooring. And also we should be prepared to help them when they need assistence. $20 000 in damages and lost income was not mentioned. No apology, no explanation, not a hint of a promise that this would not happen again.After some discussion it was decided to stop chartering and the boat was sent on contract to Kenmare minerals in Moma to assist with pilot services on a short term contract.

She is currently sitting high and dry on the maritime slipway in Pemba where she is being overhauled and recaulked.From October 2010 she will be back at Ibo offering her services to anyone wishing to take a closer look at Ibo and the Quirimbas. This years season will run untill end of December and then we start again in April after the rainy season.We will keep the site updated regarding the seasons and availability for next year.

Should you wish to charter her for a specific project involving research or such like, contact us and we will see what we can do to assist.

She definitely offers one of the best ways to see and explore more of the Quirimbas.Although we will not be offering onboard diving anymore we will assist clients who want to dive by arranging diving with the resort at Matemo island.The area offers excellent snorkeling and the chance to explore the islands and coastline or just to relax onboard or on a sandy beach.

Our perfect client is someone who has a taste for adventure and who wants to experience something different.Therefore we don't have fixed itinaries but rather let the wind and daily conditions dictate the routes and activities.

Arthur Telephone: +258 82 5116925 or alternatively sms to +32 489218566
Satellite phone: 881631546816 -Only try this number when no response from both of the above numbers
(send a free short message to this number via www.iridium.com otherwise standard costs apply for satellite calls)
Email: waterworks.moz@gmail.com
hearn.sarah@gmail.com