Mozambique's Bazaruto Archipelago

Useful Information

History

The Bazaruto Islands have a long history of human occupation. Before Portuguese occupation of the coast, the islands were likely the site of East Africa's most southerly Muslim trading settlements. By the middle of the 16th century, Portuguese traders dominated, and the surrounding sea was known for high-quality pearls.

The Portuguese established their first settlement on Santa Carolina Island in 1855. Initially an ivory trading post, the island was later used as a penal colony but was abandoned by the beginning of the 20th century. Historical relics include a ruined 19th-century fort on Magaruque and a fully intact but non-operational lighthouse on Bazaruto.

In 1971, the archipelago's five main islands and the surrounding ocean became Bazaruto National Park, which extends eastward from the coastline between Vilanculos and Inhassoro to cover about 1,430 km².

Notable Islands

Pansy Island

Not so much an island as a tidal sandbar south of Bazaruto Island, this landmark is often visited with Two Mile Reef. It is named for the so-called pansy shells (also called sea biscuits or sand dollars) that are abundant in its intertidal shallows. This shell-like object, with a five-petaled floral pattern on its flattened face, is the endoskeleton of a burrowing sea urchin in the order Clypeasteroida. The living creature is usually black or purple and covered in bristles, but the endoskeleton is bleached white by sun and saline water after it dies.

Bazaruto Island

A striking feature of the archipelago's largest island is its immense dunes rising from the southern shore. You can visit these with Two Mile Reef and Pansy Island. Reputedly the highest point on the islands, rising around 100 m above the surrounding water, the steep dunes can be climbed, with some sandblasting in windy weather. Once at the top, views extend in all directions, with ocean and islands to the south and a landscape of lakes and dunes running north. If you are staying at a lodge on Bazaruto, visit lakes and other dune fields and meet local communities.

Benguerra Island

Like its larger northerly neighbor, Benguerra supports a varied landscape of marsh, lake, and tall climbable dune — well worth exploring on a guided drive if you are staying at a lodge. Wildlife includes a monkey, small antelope such as red duiker and suni, a crocodile in lakes, and a mix of birds, with brown-headed parrot, African hoopoe, green pigeon, crowned hornbill, and various bee-eaters conspicuous, while a flamingo and other waterbird frequent lakes. You can visit local communities.

Diving sites

There are numerous dive sites around the islands. The undisputed champion is Two Mile Reef, a barrier reef on the outer side of the archipelago between Bazaruto and Benguerra. Tides permitting, the best snorkeling spot is The Aquarium, a calm coral garden on the inner reef that supports a dazzling selection of hard and soft coral, as well as reef fish of many shapes and colors, from tiny coral fish to mighty potato bass and brindle bass. It is also a good spot to see a reef shark and a marine turtle, while a lucky diver might see a manta ray and a whale shark.

There are several dive sites on the seaward side of the same reef, with names such as The Arches, Shark Point, Surgeon Rock, The Cathedral, and The Gap. Any dive center can advise on the site most suitable to your interests and conditions. If you are setting up a trip from Vilanculos, it is worth paying extra to visit Two Mile Reef instead of taking the cheaper excursion to Magaruque, which has no comparable reefs and thus offers inferior diving and snorkeling.

Activities

These islands offer a wide range of activities. For starters, they host extraordinarily diverse birdlife — ideal for bird watcher eager to enjoy coastal environments. From the beach, you can scan ocean habitats for a dolphin or a marine turtle while relaxing with a drink in hand. Kayaking, water skiing, wakeboarding, and kneeboarding gear are available and a fine way to explore the waters Portuguese settlers once crossed — an energizing alternative the whole family can enjoy. You can also join fishing expeditions or visit the spa. More secluded and tailored experiences also fit well here. Some of the most photogenic environments remain largely untouched. Enjoy a peaceful picnic while taking in the tropical climate, with family, a partner, or simply the serenity of nature. Whether you come for adventure or a getaway, activities abound.