Bazaruto Island, a hidden gem in the Bazaruto Archipelago off the coast of Mozambique, is the perfect destination for those seeking a paradise getaway. With its white sandy beaches and crystal clear, vibrant blue waters, the island offers an idyllic setting to relax and disconnect from the world. Its natural environment is complemented by a rich marine life, making it an ideal place for activities such as scuba diving and snorkelling. The tranquillity of the island, combined with its unspoilt beauty, guarantees a unique experience in direct contact with nature.
Bazaruto Island is part of the Bazaruto Archipelago, which has been declared a Natural Park, guaranteeing impeccable conservation of its environment. This exclusive destination is reserved for luxury hotels, ensuring that visitors enjoy a high-end experience in a dreamlike natural setting. It is the ideal place to enjoy a luxury holiday or a day trip, exploring one of Mozambique’s most spectacular natural environments. With its blend of natural beauty and exclusive comfort, the island promises an unforgettable tropical paradise experience.
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What are the best things to see and do on Bazaruto Island?
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
1. Visit the Bazaruto Dunes
Bazaruto Island is noted for its striking topography consisting of mangrove swamps, freshwater lakes, grasslands, stunning beach paradises and its unique dunes. Bazaruto has 35km of dunes that run the length of the island and can be up to 100m high. Best of all, you can glide down them at full speed and enjoy this wonderful adventure. Or if you prefer, you can simply stand back and contemplate their beauty and the majestic undulating landscape they create, with the sea on the horizon.
2. Snorkel on a coral reef
Another activity not to be missed on your trip to Bazaruto Island is snorkelling on a coral reef. Whether you’re visiting the island on an organised excursion or on your own, it’s a good idea to arrange your snorkelling break with your accommodation or a local company, as they can take you to the best spots where you can see the island’s marine biodiversity in all its glory.
Snorkelling on Bazaruto Island, especially on the stunning coral reef, is a unique experience. This reef is home to a rich marine biodiversity, with a variety of tropical fish, colourful corals and other fascinating marine organisms. With a bit of luck, you may even spot sea turtles swimming peacefully among the corals. The crystal-clear waters allow for exceptional visibility, making underwater exploration even more exciting.
3. Enjoy the beach paradise
Of course, one of the best things to do is to enjoy the paradisiacal beaches of Bazaruto Island, while you get to forget about the rest of the world. The long stretches of golden sand and crystal clear waters create the perfect environment to relax in the sun and enjoy the scenery. Whether sunbathing, swimming in the calm waters or simply strolling along the shore, the beaches of Bazaruto offer an absolutely rejuvenating escape. The natural beauty and tranquillity of this place will allow you to completely unwind and immerse yourself in a true tropical paradise.
5. Whale Watching
If you travel to Bazaruto between June and September you can experience the magical opportunity of whale watching. During these months, humpback whales migrate to the warm waters off the Mozambican coast to breed and give birth.
This phenomenon offers the chance to observe these majestic creatures in their natural habitat, with their breathtaking leaps and acrobatics captivating onlookers. Whale watching tours usually depart from Vilanculos. But hotels in Bazaruto also organise them, and offer a unique experience where you can appreciate the grandeur and elegance of these magnificent whales. Don’t miss it if you’re travelling at this time of year.
6. Hiking in the marshlands
Hiking in the marshlands of Bazaruto Island is another unique experience that allows you to explore the natural richness of the archipelago. Travelling through these wetlands offers views of diverse flora and fauna, including exotic birds and native plants. The marshes present a striking landscape with a mix of lakes, reeds and sandy paths.
To make the most of this adventure and to ensure safety, it is advisable to do the hike guided by a local expert. They can provide you with valuable information about the ecosystem and help you discover hidden corners that you might otherwise overlook, as well as keeping you safe on unfamiliar paths.
What to see around Bazaruto Island
1. The other islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago
The Bazaruto Archipelago consists of six main islands: Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque, Santa Carolina, Bangue and Shell. Although Bazaruto is the best known, the other islands are also gems worth exploring. Benguerra, the second-largest island, has more accommodation options than Bazaruto, all of it luxury. And Magaruque, though smaller, is a perfect destination for beautiful beaches and snorkelling or diving.
There are a number of different tour companies that organise guided tours of the islands. And depending on the excursion you book, you can visit one or more of the islands. For example, you can take a day trip to the island of Bazaruto and on a second day you can visit Benguerra and Magaruque. Although each island has its own particularities, there is no doubt that they all have one thing in common: they are absolutely paradisiacal destinations where you can enjoy an unparalleled natural environment. Whichever one you choose, you won’t be disappointed.
2. Vilanculos, the closest town to the island
Vilanculos is the closest town to Bazaruto Island and where you’ll have to fly to if you want to visit the archipelago. However, it’s not just the starting point for exploring these stunning islands, it’s much more than just a gateway. This charming coastal town in Mozambique offers a wide variety of activities and attractions for those who choose to visit. In addition to island excursions, you can enjoy diving and snorkelling on the coral reefs, sport fishing, and trips on dhow, the traditional wooden boats.
The local market is a fascinating place where you can find handicrafts and fresh produce and discover the essence of the town and even get a souvenir of your trip. The atmosphere in Vilanculos is relaxed and welcoming, ideal for those looking for a quieter experience, but with plenty of accommodation options, ranging from luxury lodges to budget hostels and other services. Vilanculos is a destination in itself, perfect for relaxing and immersing yourself in the local culture, so don’t miss it on your trip to Bazaruto Island.
How to get to Bazaruto Island
To get to Bazaruto Island, you must first fly to Vilanculos, the nearest town, from Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, or even from other cities such as Johannesburg, with airlines such as LAM Mozambique Airlines and South African Airways. From Vilanculos, you can opt for a charter flight transfer, such as those offered by CFA Aviation, or by boat to the island. If you are staying on the island, it is best to contact your accommodation on Bazaruto Island in advance. Many resorts organise and manage these transfers for their guests. And it is the easiest way to get to the island, without having to search for them on your own, which can be complicated.
If you just want to do a day trip, you can do so through the various tour companies available and even contact hotels that offer day trips without the need to stay at the hotel.
Where to sleep on Bazaruto Island
As mentioned above, staying on Bazaruto Island is an experience only available to a few, as only luxury resorts can be found on the island. For this reason, many people opt to stay in Vilanculos and take a day tour of the island not to miss out on its charms and without having to pay the high price of hotels. However, if you’d like to check them out, here are a few recommendations:
- Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort: The Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort is an exclusive luxury resort located on Bazaruto Island. It offers private villas in an intimate setting next to pristine beaches and crystal clear waters. Facilities include activities such as diving, sailing, and deep-sea fishing, as well as an award-winning spa and culinary experiences with Spice Spoons. Villas range in price from €977 to €2082 per night.
- Zenguelemo lodge: Zenguelemo Lodge offers 11 tented rooms and three beach bungalows, all in close contact with nature. The lodge is notable for its focus on sustainability and the local community, offering activities such as snorkelling, boat trips and fishing. It is an ideal place to explore the natural beauty of the archipelago and enjoy an eco-friendly environment. Prices per night per person range from €200 for a tent to €480 for bungalows.
Where to eat on Bazaruto Island?
As with accommodation, as a National Park that wants to preserve the island’s environment as much as possible, you won’t find many options for eating out. Restaurants are limited to the accommodation on the island. So, if you’re staying on the island you can eat at the hotels mentioned above.
However, if your visit is organised, you’ll need to check whether food is provided by the organising company or whether you’ll need to bring your own food. There are plenty of restaurants in Vilanculos, so if you’re staying in town, you won’t have a problem. Here are two recommendations in Vilanculos:
- Casbah: A beach bar with spectacular views and delicious dishes. You’ll enjoy sipping a delicious cocktail on your hammock or trying one of their delicious burgers or mixed dishes with rice, chicken, ribs….
- Leopoldina’s: A simple and pleasant restaurant where you can enjoy traditional dishes from the region. Don’t miss their fresh fish and seafood cooked with all the flavour of Mozambique.
What should I know before a trip to Bazrauto Island?
- The currency in Mozambique is the Metical (MZN).
- It is advisable to bring cash, firstly so you can pay for your visa on arrival and secondly because ATMs are not plentiful.
- Mozambique uses C, F and M type plugs, with a voltage of 220V and a frequency of 50Hz. Don’t forget to bring an adaptor.
- The official language is Portuguese, although you’ll be able to communicate well in English in the more touristy areas.
- We recommend booking flights and accommodation in advance, especially during the high season.
- Always carry your passport with you to avoid fines in Mozambique for not having identification.
- Do not drink tap water. Opt for bottled or boiled water instead.
- It is recommended that you take malaria prophylaxis during your stay and use mosquito repellent.
- As in any tourist destination,
- Mozambique has a tropical climate with a dry season (May to October) and a wet season (November to April).
- Pack light clothing and sun protection for the heat, and waterproof clothing for the rainy season, as well as comfortable shoes for walking.
- Protect yourself against medical emergencies: travel insured. Choose a good travel insurance, such as Mondo.
How to organise what to see on Bazarauto Island
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by other travellers’ experiences, photos and itineraries.
- Organise your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or type of trip (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
- Add your friends so they can see and modify all the plans and trip information.
- Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you want to visit each day.
- Add the stops that interest you the most, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums…
- Book your flights, accommodation, transfers and activities through a single app.
- Save all your documents in the app so you always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documents…
- Make any changes you need to make and you’re all set for your trip
- Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travellers with your experience. You can also share your own tips about your trip to Mozambique.
- Enjoy Bazaruto Island
If you have any doubts about how to do this, you can consult our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Bazaruto Island
Bazaruto Island enjoys a tropical climate. Temperatures are warm throughout the year, with an average of 24°C to 30°C. The wet season is from November to March, with frequent heavy rains, while the dry season, from April to October, is cooler and less humid. During the dry season, days are sunny and nights are cool, making it the best time to visit the island.
The best time to travel to Bazaruto Island is from April to October, during the dry season. The weather is cool and sunny, ideal for outdoor activities, with less rainfall and pleasant temperatures.
To get to Bazaruto Island, you must first fly to Vilanculos, the closest city to the island, from Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, or other nearby cities such as Johannesburg. From there, you can transfer by charter flight (CFA Aviation) or by boat to Bazaruto Island. Ideally, contact your accommodation on Bazaruto Island, as they can offer you transfers with their services.
No, you should not drink tap water in Mozambique. Always drink bottled water
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