Bazaruto Archipelago

Bazaruto Archipelago: History & Culture

Discover Bazaruto Archipelago

The Bazaruto Archipelago is a chain of coral-fringed islands off Vilanculos and Inhassoro in Inhambane Province, protected since 1971 as Mozambique’s first national park. Towering white sand dunes, turquoise channels and one of the last significant dugong populations on the East African coast make it one of Southern Africa’s classic barefoot-luxury island escapes.

Bazaruto at a glance

• Country: Mozambique
• Province: Inhambane
• Gateway town: Vilanculos, on the mainland
• Nearest airports: Vilankulo Airport (VNX) on the mainland; Bazaruto Island Airport (BZB) on the archipelago itself
• Protected since: 1971, Mozambique’s first national park
• Park area: 1,430 km² (expanded from an original 600 km² in 2001)
• Islands: Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque, Santa Carolina and Bangúé

The history of the park

The archipelago was proclaimed a national park by Legislative Diploma on 25 May 1971, protecting an initial 600 km² of islands and surrounding waters. The boundary was extended to 1,430 km² in 2001 to cover more of the surrounding reefs and channels, and African Parks has managed the park in partnership with Mozambique’s national conservation agency (ANAC) since 2017, marking the park’s 50th anniversary in 2021. The islands themselves have a much older human history as fishing and trading communities along the Indian Ocean dhow routes, though detailed pre-colonial dates were not confirmed in this research pass.

Wildlife: dugongs, turtles and reef fish

Bazaruto holds around 120 dugongs, described by conservation sources as the largest surviving population of this endangered marine mammal in East Africa. The surrounding reefs and seagrass beds also support nesting and foraging sea turtles, including leatherbacks, along with manta rays and, seasonally, whale sharks. Inland lake systems on the larger islands hold freshwater crocodiles and a range of waterbirds, while dune forest supports small antelope and more than 180 recorded bird species.

What to see and do

Diving and snorkelling

The archipelago’s coral reefs and channels are the main draw for divers and snorkellers, with regular sightings of manta rays, reef sharks and, in season, whale sharks, alongside the dugongs themselves (sightings of which are never guaranteed, as they are shy and easily disturbed).

Dhow sailing and island hopping

Traditional wooden dhows are used for sunset cruises and inter-island transfers, a slower and more atmospheric way to move between Bazaruto, Benguerra and the smaller islands than a speedboat transfer.

The dunes

Bazaruto Island itself has towering vegetated sand dunes, some more than 100 m high, offering panoramic views across the channel to the mainland.

Deep-sea fishing

The channel between the islands and the mainland is a noted deep-sea and fly-fishing destination, targeting species including giant trevally and marlin, though specific operator and catch data were not verified in this pass.

Getting there

Most visitors fly into Vilankulo Airport (VNX) on the mainland, connecting from Maputo or Johannesburg, then transfer to the islands by light aircraft to Bazaruto Island Airport (BZB) or by boat across the channel, a crossing of 20 to 40 minutes depending on the lodge and tides. A small number of lodges on Bazaruto Island itself run their own airstrip transfers. Confirm current routes and transfer arrangements directly with your lodge, as scheduled connections change.

Best time to visit

The dry season, roughly April to November, gives the calmest seas and best diving visibility, and overlaps with Mozambique’s cooler months. Whale sharks are most likely to be seen in southern Mozambique waters between September and February, though sightings around Bazaruto itself are less predictable than at Tofo further south.

Where to stay

Accommodation splits between exclusive island lodges on Bazaruto and Benguerra themselves, and a wider, more affordable range of lodges in the gateway town of Vilanculos on the mainland, from which day trips and short stays on the islands can be arranged. Vilanculos Beach Lodge and the self-catering Vila La Mar are covered on this site as verified, well-rated options in Vilanculos; island-based luxury lodges exist but were not independently rating-verified in this research pass.

Photo by Bjørn Christian Tørrissen, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.