The six idyllic islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago are known for their unspoilt beauty and diverse ecologies. The pristine coral reefs are home to more than 2000 fish species as well as whales and dolphins. These islands have endless stunning and deserted white beaches, swaying palms and shallow turquoise waters.
This is the coastline that will spoil you forever. The small, sandy islands of Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago lie just a few kilometers from the sleepy mainland town of Vilankulo, where there are sand-floor bars and simple thatched lodges and campsites. The archipelago itself is in a protected marine park and consists of just five islands: skinny Bazaruto, the largest in the group with about 30km phalanx of dunes running down its spine; Benguerua (about half its size) and then, smaller and smaller, Magaruque, Santa Carolina and tiny Bangue. The Bazaruto Archipelago was once part of a peninsula connected to the mainland, and at low tide the retreating sea exposes millions of sand spits and tiny isles of baking-soda-white sand set in radiating swirls of vivid blue. The archipelago was formed from the present Cabo Sebastiáo Peninsula about 7000 years ago. Over 2000 individual species of fish have been recorded from the area and a remarkable 80% of all marine fish families of Indo-Pacific region are thought to occur in the waters surrounding the archipelago.
The best time to visit Bazaruto Archipelago is during the dry season months of May to September. Mozambique is blessed with warm temperature all year round, making it an excellent destination for water sport enthusiasts.
Overview
Parallel with the mainland, on its northern point where the Farol do Bazaruto (lighthouse) still flashes its signal out to sea. Bazaruto Island is the largest island in Mozambique’s only dedicated marine park and is home to two lovely resorts set on postcard-perfect beaches. About 30km long and some 7km at its widest, Bazaruto is the biggest island in the archipelago. There are no shops on Bazaruto, only natural beauty, pure white beaches and a wonderland of fauna and flora to discover. The island itself is home to some 125-different species of birds. Benguerua, south of Bazaruto, is smaller but with similar geography and wildlife. The island has a population of approximately 2 500 persons. There is a single government run health clinic on Bazaruto.
Activities
The following activities are available diving, snorkelling, bird watching, horse riding, dune boarding, deep sea fishing, dugong, turtle, whale & dolphin watching and traditional dhow excursions.
Flights & Getting there
Guests fly to Vilanculos, on a chartered or commercial flight, via Johannesburg direct or via Maputo, Beira or Inhambane. On arrival at Vilanculos, you are met by an lodge representative who will assist with your road transfer (15 minutes) to the jetty where you board a speed boat. This journey takes roughly 45 minutes.
Flying to lodge from Vilanculos is approximately 15 minutes. A maximum luggage weight for the island charter is 20kg preferably in soft bags. For safety reasons and civil aviation policy, island transfers by air or sea cannot take place after 17h00. Guests who are affected by delayed flights will be accommodated on the mainland at the expense of the airline/travel insurance and will be transferred to Anantara Bazaruto the following morning.
Overview
Benguerua, the second largest island in the Bazaruto Archipelago, is less than a kilometre south of Bazaruto Island and is at 2 500 hectares in size. Like its neighbour, it also has high dunes, inland lakes and long wide beaches – perfect for a Mozambique beach holiday. There are no big resorts on the island, instead there are luxurious lodges and Mozambique villas which open onto the soft sand and turquoise sea. Benguerua also has savanna grassland with clumps of scrub thicket, areas of evergreen dune forest. Only three small remnant patches of evergreen dune forests remain on Benguerua. Fortuitously the remnant on Benguerua was saved from further destruction by the lodge developers.
Activities
Non-motorized activities cover sailing, kayaking and windsurfing. Other activities are scuba-diving, snorkelling, fishing and water-skiing.
Flights & Getting there
45 minute scenic helicopter transfer from Pemba Airport to Medjumbe Island treats guests to a spectacular bird’s view of the paradise that awaits them.
OVERVIEW
Magaruque Island is at 600 hectares in size. Magaruque Island is the most densely populated of all islands and as a consequence the vegetation has been disturbed by agriculture and habitation. The island has a dune-cordon running along its eastern edge with a pioneer dune vegetation, scrub thicket and secondary dune forest. Two small patches of evergreen dune forest can be found along the western margin of the island.
Activities
Watersports – Fishing, Diving, Snorkeling, Waterskiing, Hobie Cat, Sea Kayaks, Sunset Cruises, Cultural Island Tours (Ibo Island excursion), Island Dhow Tours, Volleyball and beach games.
Flights & Getting there
Fly into Pemba International Airport and transfer to Matemo via light aircraft (transfer duration +/- 20 min).
OVERVIEW
Santa Carolina Island is at 500 hectares in size and it was previously referred to as the Paradise Island. Santa Carolina Island is a small island which was developed extensively for tourism. Despite the development this island has a large mangrove community and a salt marsh on the southern side of the island and a secondary dune forest dune forest in the north. The striped skink is a very common species on buildings on the mainland, but is absent from all islands except Santa Carolina. The Santa Carolina skinks live on retaining walls and old Casuarina trees,
Activities
Activities include snorkelling, kayaking, nature walks, and sailing. Ample viewing opportunities of samango monkeys, coconut crabs, and various bird species. Diving opportunities are plenty.
Flights & Getting there
Fly into Pemba International Airport and transfer to Matemo via light aircraft (transfer duration +/- 20 min).
What is the population size of all islands?
The population size of all islands is approximately 3500 people
What is a protected area?
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) defines a protected area is an “area of land and/or sea especially dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biologically diversity, and of natural and associated cultural resources, and managed through legal or other effective means, for the benefit of the present and future generations.
What is the greatest threat to the natural heritage of Archipelago?
Apart from the customary pressures brought about by fishing, tourism and associated waste management, there is also the increased threat posed by oil and gas exploitation.
What are the type of reefs found on the Archipelago?
The reefs are primarily concentrated on the Bazaruto island and the reefs can be divided into three types, namely, submerged sandstone reefs, submerged fringing reefs and patch reefs.
Where is the best diving arena and why?
The most spectacular diving is found on the outer Bazaruto reef areas where large fish are encountered and on shallow, fringing reef tops where an abundance of staghorn corals, with a diversity of other corals and colourful reef fish occur.
What is the main economic activity on the islands?
Artisanal fishing with traditional methods is the main economic activity for more than 70% of the local population.
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