Bazaruto Archipelago
Overview
About Bazaruto Archipelago
The Bazaruto Archipelago National Park lies off Vilanculos (Vilankulo) in Inhambane Province — Mozambique's first and oldest marine protected area, established in 1971 and spanning roughly 1,430 km² of islands, reefs, mangroves, and seagrass meadows. Five main islands — Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque, Santa Carolina (Paradise Island), and Bangue — sit within protected waters recognised as a Mission Blue Hope Spot for their global conservation value.
Two Mile Reef is the headline dive site: a coral barrier between Bazaruto and Benguerra with depths from 8–24 metres, hard and soft corals, potato groupers, green turtles, and occasional dugong in the shallows. Advanced sites include The Gap, Cabo São Sebastião, and 12-Mile Reef for pelagics, reef sharks, and manta rays. Visibility typically runs 10–30 metres in season; water temperature 23–28°C.
Beyond diving, the archipelago offers dhow island-hopping, sandbar picnics, flamingo lagoons, parabolic dunes, and lodge stays on Bazaruto and Benguerra. The park holds the last viable dugong population in the Western Indian Ocean and nesting grounds for all five regional marine turtle species. Fly into Vilankulo Airport (VNX) — daily connections from Johannesburg and Maputo — then transfer by boat or light aircraft.
Points of Interest
Click the pins on the map to explore key places across Bazaruto Archipelago.
Common Questions
Planning your trip to Bazaruto Archipelago
Mozambique's oldest marine national park (est. 1971) — five islands, Two Mile Reef, the last viable Western Indian Ocean dugong population, all five regional marine turtle species, dhow island-hopping, and some of East Africa's best diving and snorkelling off Vilanculos.
Fly into Vilankulo Airport (VNX) — daily connections from Johannesburg and Maputo. From Vilanculos, lodges and day trips reach the islands by boat (20–90 minutes) or light aircraft. We arrange transfers and island hops as part of your itinerary.
Two Mile Reef and The Aquarium are the classics for all levels. Advanced divers head to The Gap, Cabo São Sebastião, Canyon Deep, Marlin Pinnacles, and 12-Mile Reef for sharks, mantas, and pelagics. Depths range 8–44 m; visibility 10–30 m in season.
Three to five nights works well for a first visit — enough for diving, dhow island-hopping, and beach downtime. Longer stays suit honeymooners or divers exploring multiple reefs and islands at an unhurried pace.
May to November brings dry skies, calm seas, and the best diving visibility (peak June–September). Humpback whales pass July to October. Water stays 23–28°C year-round.
Yes — Bazaruto holds the last known viable dugong population in the Western Indian Ocean. Sightings are never guaranteed, but seagrass shallows around Benguerra and the marine park offer the best chances, often while snorkelling or on ocean safaris.
Yes — Bazaruto pairs naturally with Maputo, Gorongosa, or a Tofo diving extension. We build routes around your dates, balancing island time with bush or coast stops on the mainland.
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