Bazaruto Archipelago The Bazaruto Archipelago consists of a string of idyllic islands that provide the most romantic getaways off the African coast. Palm trees line the sandy, pristine beaches and the water is translucent, aquamarine and crystal clear - an absolute dream for watersport enthusiasts. The whole Bazaruto Archipelago is an ecological gem that has been granted National Park status. The string of tropical islands off the coast of Mozambique is part of the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park and is one of the largest marine parks in the Indian Ocean. The main islands in the archipelago are: Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque and Santa Carolina. Bazaruto, the largest of the four islands, has a number of freshwater lakes and exotic butterflies. Benguerra, south of Bazaruto, is smaller but with similar geography and wildlife. The closest island to Vilanculos is Magaruque and is small enough to make a day trip worthwhile as you can walk around the island in a couple of hours.

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Santa Carolina is the smallest island and is surrounded by the deepest waters of the islands making it ideal for game fishing.

The fauna and flora of the Bazaruto Archipelago
The whole Bazaruto Archipelago is an ecological gem that has been granted National Park status.

• Over 2 000 fish species
• Over 100 hard and 27 soft coral species
• The world's largest fringing reef
• Over four whale and five dolphin species
• This extremely rare Dugong has been described as a “sea cow” and is a big, gentle grass eater that is most closely related to the elephant. Dugongs are found in shallow waters along the world's tropical coasts, yet have largely been hunted to the brink of extinction. Bazaruto has the largest remaining population in East Africa, raising the profile of the area to a global marine conservation priority
• Nile crocodiles can still be seen in the shallow lakes and pools on the islands
• The island group is home to all five marine turtle species of the western Indian Ocean. They are highly endangered and in urgent need of conservation. The turtles annually come to the beaches to breed and their nests are extremely vulnerable to predators.

The real wealth of the Bazaruto Archipelago, however, lies in the full range of tropical marine ecosystems found within this varied seascape.

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