The Bazaruto Archipelago is made up of five small tropical islands, just off the western coast of Mozambique in the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean. Officially named a National Park in the early 1970s, the archipelago is home to an astounding array of native marine life and boasts some of the finest coral reefs in the world.
Completely unspoilt, these pristine islands are reminiscent of a hidden Garden of Eden, with sugar white beaches, lush tropical vegetation, and a treasure trove of coral reefs to explore. And so if you’re looking to leave the worries of the world far behind then it’s hard to imagine a better tropical island retreat than the Bazaruto Archipelago.
As you explore the beaches, with barely a person in sight, you’ll be sharing the ocean views with playful samango monkeys, blue-cheeked bee-eaters and green coucal birds. Meanwhile, beneath the ocean waves, the island’s reefs are overflowing with a rainbow of colorful fish and marine life, as well as being home to devil rays, turtles, and sea cucumbers – all of which can be seen by snorkeling or diving. Some of the larger ocean inhabitants of the Bazaruto Archipelago include whale sharks, mantas, humpback whales, and the endangered dugong.
Aside from the incredible snorkeling and diving, which has to be seen to be believed, the islands have an excellent range of amenities, including several upmarket boutique resorts, beachfront restaurants, and a fun selection of activities to enjoy. Amazingly, despite its spectacular tropical beauty, pristine coral reefs, superb hotels, and plethora of activities to partake in, the Bazaruto Archipelago remains largely unknown within the tourist industry. But the wonders of the Bazaruto Archipelago can’t remain a secret forever – so if you want to experience it before the big crowds of tourists hear about it, you should plan your trip for sooner rather than later.
How Do You Get to the Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique?
Although the Bazaruto Archipelago isn’t on the standard tourist route, it’s not difficult to reach these remote tropical islands. You simply need to catch an international flight to the Vilanculos International Airport (VNX), in Mozambique, from a major global transport hub, such as London Heathrow, New York, Dubai, or Johannesburg.
Once you arrive at Vilanculos you’ll need to jump aboard a boat to transfer you to one of the islands. It’s worth noting that many of the resorts in the Bazaruto Archipelago can arrange a private transfer for you, directly from the airport to your accommodation on the islands.
What’s the Best Time to Visit the Bazaruto Archipelago?
The Bazaruto Archipelago has a tropical climate, and so each year there is a wet and a dry season. The best time to visit Bazaruto Archipelago is undoubtedly during the dry season, between May and October. During the dry season the temperatures range from about 22 to 27 Degrees Celsius, the skies are clear, the sun is shining, and the humidity levels on the islands remain relatively low. This affords visitors the optimal weather for exploring the islands on foot, snorkeling, sunbathing by the pool, and eating dinner under the stars at night.
The wet season, which lasts from November to April each year, experiences heavy tropical rains, extremely high humidity levels, and temperatures that range from about 28 to 32 Degrees Celsius. Not only does this make the conditions on land fairly unpleasant, but the heavy rains also make the sea water cloudy and can ruin the snorkeling or diving around the coral reefs.
What is There To Do in the Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique?
Despite being one of the most spectacular tropical destinations on the planet, the Bazaruto Archipelago remains a well-kept secret. And while this means that you won’t see crowds of tourists on the beaches, it does mean that the facilities on the islands are fairly limited and primarily centered around the resorts that are based on the islands.
This makes choosing the right resort for your stay all the more important, simply because you’ll be arranging most of your activities through the resort itself rather than through outside tour operators. Nonetheless, we’ve identified one of the best resorts in the Bazaruto Archipelago that not only has superb accommodation but also provides a nice selection of activities for your stay.
Stay at the &Beyond Benguerra Island Resort
This stunning beachfront resort, right in the heart of the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park on the island of Benguerra, is the perfect place to stay during your tropical vacation. Situated just a few meters from the lapping waves of the Indian Ocean, the &Beyond Benguerra Island Resort has a great selection of beachfront accommodation, including two smaller cabins – ideal for a honeymoon – as well as larger thatched cabins and an exclusive family cabin with three ensuite bedrooms, a private pool, and a large deck area. All of the rooms have secluded timber lounge decks, rim-flow pools, private salas, sun loungers, and relaxing hanging daybeds. All rooms all have air conditioning, a minibar, a safe, and complimentary toiletries.
The resort is set amongst the indigenous tropical forest, and has its own beach bar, a massage parlor, and a friendly team of staff who are always on hand to assist you with making your holiday plans. There’s also an on-site restaurant, babysitting facilities, and a free breakfast to get your day off to a good start. What’s more, the resort also facilitates a range of activities for its guests, including boating, canoeing, snorkeling, horse riding, and fishing.
This magical home-from-home is much more than a standard hotel or resort, and provides guests with everything they need to enjoy their time in the Bazaruto Archipelago – which is just what you need when you arrive in paradise! This includes facilitating a whole array of activities for your time on the island, helping to take away any of the stress of arranging your schedule with numerous different tour operators.
You can book your room at the &Beyond Benguerra Island resort, or find out more, here.
Snorkeling in the Bazaruto Archipelago
One of the major highlights of any visit to the tropical heaven of Bazaruto Archipelago is snorkeling amongst the dream-like wonders of the enchanting coral reefs beneath the glittering waters of the Indian Ocean. Guests of the &Beyond Benguerra Island resort can sign up for a trip to the Two-Mile Reef where you can immerse yourself in the magical underwater world that awaits.
Suitable for swimmers or all ages and experience, this snorkeling day trip will give you a close-up view of the incredible array of technicolored tropical fish, sea cucumbers, flowering coral, sea turtles, harmless reef sharks, and so much more. If you’re lucky, you’ll even meet a local pod of playful dolphins as you make your way to and from the reef.
To find out more about the snorkeling trip, and book your place on the boat, just ask the concierge at the front desk of &Beyond Benguerra Island resort, or take a look at the hotel’s official website, here.
Leave the World Behind on a Romantic Castaway Picnic
If you’re on a honeymoon, or enjoying a romantic break together, then the Romantic Castaway Picnic is simply a must for your itinerary. The &Beyond Benguerra Island Resort will ferry you by catamaran to a chosen location, on either the north or the south side of the island, where you can spend a lovely afternoon together on an isolated beach atol.
You’ll have a gorgeous table for two under an awning on your own private stretch of beach where you can savor a picnic while taking in the breath-taking ocean scenery. Later on the catamaran will return to pick you up and bring you back to the resort for a relaxing evening, including dinner in the restaurant and a few drinks at the beach bar.
You can book your Romantic Castaway Picnic at the front desk of &Beyond Benguerra Island resort, or check on the website, here.
Swim with Horses in the Warm Ocean Waters
If you’ve ever seen a video of somebody riding along the beach, splashing through the ocean surf, on horseback, and wanted to give it a try, well here’s your chance! The &Beyond Benguerra Island resort offers its guests the opportunity to bareback ride a horse along the beach and, what’s more, you’ll even be able to go deeper into the water on the back of your horse. Don’t worry if you’re not an experienced horse rider, this is a gentle trot along the beach and through the waves; and then when you’re ready, the horse will go deeper into the water with you on their back.
The horses are all extremely well trained, very gentle, and just love to play in the water, so you’ll be completely safe on their back – even if you’re a total beginner. In total, you’ll spend around 40 minutes on horseback, but if you’d like to arrange a longer exploration of the island on horseback just ask the concierge at the front desk and they’ll be happy to arrange that for you.
To book your exclusive swimming with horses experience with the &Beyond Benguerra Island resort, simply talk to the hotel staff or check on the website, here.
Drop by the Peri Peri Beach Club for Dinner and a Cocktail
This seafront beach club, not far from the &Beyond Benguerra Island resort, offers guests a delightful menu of Mozambique and Portuguese cuisine in a laid back atmosphere with gorgeous sea views. You can order one of the chef’s special wood-fired oven pizzas, or opt for your own private ‘sizzle table’ and choose from a wide range of fresh seafood or meat that will be grilled right before your eyes.
There’s also an ocean side swimming pool, so feel free to arrive early for a swim before drinks and dinner. A lovely way to spend a relaxing afternoon and evening, the Peri Peri Beach Club should definitely make an appearance on your island itinerary.
You can find out more about the Peri Peri Beach Club, or reserve a table for dinner, here.
