The Quirimbas Islands were originally inhabited by
Makonde fishing communities. From the medieval period,
Swahili trading settlements developed across the archipelago. Their prominence declined in the 16th century as
Portuguese maritime routes expanded; during this period the islands were referred to as the Ilhas de São Lázaro (“Islands of Saint Lazarus”). After the Portuguese established coastal bases, including at Ibo Island, many Swahili merchants relocated elsewhere within the archipelago to continue trading independently. Conflict followed, during which Portuguese forces killed an estimated sixty Muslim merchants and destroyed property. On 23 May 2014, a mud spill was reported offshore near the Quirimbas Islands from a drilling operation run by
Anadarko Petroleum. These islands are now well known for their diving sites, some up to deep. The
Quirimbas National Park, spanning an area of , includes the 11 most southerly islands, which are partly surrounded by
mangroves. The park was established in 2002 as a protected area. In the early morning of 3 March 2024, militants of the
Islamic State – Central Africa Province seized the island of Quirimba after clashing with local forces, killing and wounding a number of them, while forcing the remnants to flee to the nearby island of Ibo and elsewhere. Two days later, local sources reported a major attack launched by the same militants against the neighboring island of Ibo, successfully seizing it after fierce clashes; locals of the island accused the government and the municipal authorities of having abandoned them after the attacks. == World Heritage Status ==