Joanna James
A national park and a protected marine reserve, the Bazaruto Archipelago in Mozambique offers an ideal getaway which can be as relaxing or thrilling as you want. Amidst pristine beaches, enchanting islands and rolling sand dunes there is much to discover both on land and beneath the waves.
With its diverse marine and terrestrial ecosystems, the Bazaruto National Park encompasses this archipelago and offers some thrilling excursions for the whole family. The landscapes feature mangrove forests, pristine shores and imposing dunes, while beneath the waves one will find everything from seagrass meadows to thriving reefs and more than 2,000 species of fish. Amongst the many highlights here is that the waters of the park support the last viable population of dugongs in the Western Indian Ocean.
If you are craving for a holiday full of adventure, especially water sports, then there is much to look forward to in Bazaruto Island, Mozambique; beach hotels and resorts provide a wealth of options to suit all ages. For some underwater exploration, one can try snorkelling and diving in the archipelago, especially at places like the Two Mile Reef. Some resorts additionally provide knee-boarding, water-skiing, stand-up paddleboarding, wakeboarding, kayaking and fishing that follows a tag and release policy.
The stunning array of marine life that inhabit the waters of the archipelago are amongst the key allures here. While staying at properties the likes of Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort, you can head off on exciting whale watching excursions; between August and October, you have a chance of seeing humpback whales. From April to July, whale sharks can be spotted as well, while other marine species that call this area home include dolphins, manta rays, dugongs, sailfish, sharks, marlin and nesting sea turtles.
Certain resorts will offer you the opportunity to go dune boarding and with some dunes reaching heights of more than 100 metres, you can expect a thrill-filled ride! Horse riding along the coast is amongst the popular things to do in Bazaruto Island, while not to be missed is an outing to Croc Lake home to Nile crocodiles. This destination is also ideal for birdwatching and you can look forward to seeing flamingos, pelicans, kingfishers and more.
Dining here is an adventure in itself and gives you a chance to savour the rich flavours of local cuisine. Apart from an excellent selection of fresh seafood delights, one can also sample the diverse dishes which have been influenced by the Portuguese as well as those that have Indian or Arabian flavours too. Check to see if your resort in Bazaruto offers cooking classes which will provide a hands-on culinary expedition that you can relive when back home!
An ideal way to explore the Bazaruto Archipelago is to embark on a dhow cruise; these traditional wooden boats provide a perfect way to visit local islands as well as venture out to sea to spot humpback whales, dolphins, Zambezi sharks, dugongs and hawksbill turtles. Come sunset, such cruises also offer a truly romantic voyage to share with that special someone as you take in the spellbinding beauty of this slice of paradise.
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