10 Day Benguerra Island & Quirimbas Beach Vacation

Guests are met on arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg by an African Sky representative, who assists with immigration formalities and the connection to your flight to Vilanculos on Mozambique’s coast. After the short regional flight, you board a thrilling helicopter transfer over the turquoise waters of the Bazaruto Archipelago to Benguerra Island, the second-largest island in this protected marine reserve, celebrated for its long white beaches and rich marine life.

On arrival at Azura Benguerra, you are welcomed by the lodge team and shown to your villa, complete with private plunge pool and direct beach access. Spend the remainder of the afternoon unwinding after your travels, perhaps with a first walk along the sand or a swim in the warm Indian Ocean. As evening falls, enjoy sundowners and a dinner that fuses fresh seafood with Portuguese and Mozambican influences, setting the tone for your island escape.

Benguerra Island offers a flexible rhythm of activity and relaxation over the next three days. The surrounding Bazaruto Marine National Park is renowned for remarkable snorkeling and diving, with reefs such as Two Mile Reef sheltering colorful fish, turtles and other marine life. You may head out with Azura’s PADI dive team, join a guided snorkel excursion or try your hand at big game fishing for species like marlin, tuna and giant trevally in the deep waters offshore.

When you are not out on the water, slow down and enjoy Benguerra’s softer side. Laze beside your private plunge pool, book a rejuvenating treatment at the Azura Spa, or explore sand dunes and inland lakes on a guided drive. Romantic beach picnics and sunset dhow cruises showcase the island at its best, while evenings bring starlit skies and gourmet dinners served with warm Mozambican hospitality.

After breakfast you bid farewell to Benguerra Island and return by helicopter to Vilanculos for your connecting flight north along Mozambique’s coastline to Pemba. From here a second helicopter flight carries you over the lagoons and mangrove channels of the Quirimbas Archipelago to tiny Quilalea Private Island, set within a protected marine sanctuary and known for its excellent snorkeling and diving straight from the shore.

On landing at Azura Quilalea you are welcomed by the island team and shown to your villa, perched above the beach or nestled among baobab trees. Take time to settle in, absorb the views of the surrounding reef and perhaps slip into the sea for a first swim. As the sun sets, enjoy drinks in a relaxed oceanfront setting followed by a leisurely dinner celebrating fresh seafood and local ingredients.

The next four days on Quilalea revolve around unhurried island living. Clear, warm waters around the island offer superb snorkeling and diving, with healthy coral gardens and abundant reef fish easily accessed from the main beach. You can join guided kayak trips through the mangroves of nearby Sencar Island, look for turtles and dolphins from the boat, or simply float in the sheltered bays that ring the island.

When you are ready to relax, retreat to your villa deck or visit the cliff-top spa for a massage with sweeping Indian Ocean views. Beach picnics, private dinners under the stars and gentle island walks showcase the Quirimbas’ wild beauty, while keen anglers can head offshore in search of prolific game fish on catch-and-release excursions. Each evening ends with the sound of waves and a sky bright with constellations, far from any mainland lights.

Savor a last easy morning on Quilalea, perhaps rising early to watch the sunrise or take a final swim over the house reef. Enjoy breakfast with panoramic ocean views and a final stroll along the beach, reflecting on the contrast between your time in the Bazaruto Archipelago and the remote Quirimbas National Park.

After check-out you board the helicopter back to Pemba, then connect with your flight south to Johannesburg. On arrival you may continue to your international departure or overnight in the city, bringing to a close a ten-day island holiday that has combined two of Mozambique’s most exceptional Indian Ocean archipelagos.