Pemba

The Nautilus Hotel

Name: The Nautilus Hotel
Address: Pemba, Mozambique
Price range: From US$160 per person, per night

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The Nautilus Hotel

About The Nautilus Hotel

Tropical beachside bungalows in Pemba, northern Mozambique

Dominated by burgeoning energy developments in northern Mozambique, Pemba, which sits on the southern head of Pemba Bay, is maybe not quite the tropical paradise it could be. Nevertheless, the Nautilus Hotel, like the larger area, has huge potential, given that it's just a stone's throw away from the pearly beaches and warm, life-filled waters of the Indian Ocean. Its central location has some perks (great beach access) and a few cons (the main road runs right behind it and there's a big shopping centre just 200 metres away), but overall it's a relaxing spot to spend a few nights.

Pemba , Mozambique

From $150 per person/per night

Beach

21 Rooms

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Property details

The property

The central lounge's high thatch ceilings and tiled floors keep things nice and cool in these steamy tropics. Wicker furniture provides great spots to chill inside and on the canvas-shaded veranda. Poolside sunloungers are even better. The on-site Dhow restaurant serves up traditional Mozambican cuisine (think grilled fish, peri-peri chicken) three times a day, though sometimes lacks the ingredients and service to make things happen. Hang out at the beachside bar – it's conveniently beyond the reach of sales-hungry hagglers.

The rooms

Twenty-one thatched bungalows sit in two rows under coconut palms, just back from the beach. (The front row is massively preferable to the one behind it, which backs on to Pemba's main coastal road.) A wooden walkway links the units to the covered, furnished veranda and pool. Each hut has two bedrooms with double or twin beds and a small lounge with air-conditioning, a TV and bar fridge. There is one bathroom per hut, with a shower and a loo.

Activities

The beach in front of the hotel is lovely for long walks, especially when the tide is out, making a pristine, pearly sandbank about two kilometres east of the lodge accessible (it's much less crowded). The ocean is warm enough for swimming all day all year, so pack a mask and snorkel for underwater exploration. Longing to SCUBA dive, deep-sea fish or explore the mangroves? You'll need to organise a charter, which can be expensive, but is worth it.

Plan your stay

How to book The Nautilus Hotel

How do I book The Nautilus Hotel?

The Nautilus Hotel can be booked with Timbuktu as part of a tailor-made Mozambique trip, rather than as a standalone room reservation. Start online, customising one of our recommended Mozambique trips featuring The Nautilus Hotel or get advice and suggestions from one of our Mozambique specialists who will design the trip around your dates, check availability and handle every booking for you.

How much does it cost to stay at The Nautilus Hotel?

Stays at The Nautilus Hotel start from around $150 per person per night as part of a tailor-made trip. The exact price depends on your travel dates, room type and the shape of the rest of your itinerary. A Timbuktu travel specialist can give you an accurate quote for your dates.

Mozambique

Pemba

A pretty, colonial town in the north with a dazzling coastline and a smattering of lovely lodges.