Bazaruto Archipelago Holidays

Some of the world’s best Indian Ocean diving is the most popular reason to visit the Bazaruto Archipelago, but it is far from the only one. Stretching out under blue skies, swimming in the shallow ocean, and sipping cocktails on an island beach are more than enough to keep you smiling, and if you want to get active, there’s plenty more. Try kayaking, windsurfing, or water skiing. Ride a horse through the lapping tide at the edge of the beach.

Take a 4x4 safari across your island or hike among its dunes as you spot birds searching for food from hidden beaches. Go deep sea fishing for huge marlin, board a dhow cruise around the islands to spot whales and dolphins, or sail at sunset for spectacular views. Enjoy a romantic picnic on an abandoned island and feel a million miles from anywhere in one of the most beautiful locations in Africa.

Warm, clear waters and colourful unspoiled reefs thriving with tropical fish of every size make the Bazaruto Archipelago one of the best diving destinations in the world. Whether you snorkel or scuba, this Marine National Park site is an underwater wonderland filled with dozens of spectacular diving spots. See devil rays and honeycomb morays at Two Mile Reef, potato bass and turtles at Marlin Pinnacle, and huge shoals of pelagic fish among the caves of ​Linene Reef.

Watch for triggerfish at Baluba Reef, guitarfish at Allan’s realm, and manta rays at Camel hump. Swim with groupers at the Pinnacles, bull sharks in the Amphitheatre, and turtles at Southern Point. Wherever you dive, the Bazaruto Archipelago is home to six species of sharks, three species of turtles, many types of rays and whales. It is the only location in the world where the population of the elusive dugong is currently increasing.

Of the six islands in the Bazaruto Archipelago, three are home to some of Mozambique's most beautiful and luxurious hotels and lodges. The largest, Bazaruto Island, offers an eco-friendly paradise with bungalows and villas of up to three bedrooms at Pestana Bazaruto Lodge in the north, the rustic castaway camp of Zenguelemo in the west, and the blissfully elegant Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort in the south.

Escape to the smaller Benguerra Island for a boutique villa retreat at the Azura and the romantic lodge of andBeyond. For a completely exclusive experience, choose the private island of Magaruque. Alternate accommodation is available on the coast of Vilankulo, where you can enjoy easy access to the archipelago alongside the lively town, sand dune shore, wildlife reserve, and mainland beaches nearby.

Anytime from late April to late November is a great time to visit the Bazaruto Archipelago. The wet season from December to March can still enjoy periods of great weather and temperatures over 30°C, but unpredictable rainfall can spoil the diving experiences and beach days that make the islands so special.

Throughout the long dry season, each month sees only a few days of rain with regular temperatures of 25°C to 30°C, perfect for outdoor activities on land or in the water. June and July are the busiest periods in Mozambique, making April, May, and August to October the perfect times for flexible travellers seeking quieter days. Humpback whales arrive between July and October, while marlin fishing season runs from September to January, and whale sharks are at their most abundant in December.