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- Destinations
- Africa
- Mozambique
- Bazaruto Archipelago
Bazaruto Archipelago
Consisting of five paradisiacal islands off the coast of
Vilanculos in Mozambique's Inhambane Province, the Bazaruto
Archipelago is the most popular tourist area in Mozambique and
widely considered to be the 'Pearl of the Indian Ocean'. It is a
luxury destination sought after by divers, fishermen, nature lovers
and well-to-do sun seekers.
The main islands of Bazaruto and Benguerra, as well as the
smaller Santa Catalina, Magaruque and Bangue islands, are protected
within a national park, one of the largest of its kind in the
Indian Ocean. The warm seas are home to whales, dolphins, manta
rays, turtles and the endangered dugong, while unspoilt coral reefs
provide underwater enthusiasts with first-rate diving and
snorkelling opportunities amid thousands of fish and mammal
species. On land, miles of deserted sandy beaches shaded by palm
trees offer frazzled city executives a dream holiday getaway, where
the most stressful thing is deciding between activities like bird
watching, fishing and shell collecting, or simply lying on the sand
and enjoying the sunshine.
The largest and most popular island is Bazaruto, which gives the
archipelago its name. To the west is the smallest island, Santa
Carolina, nearly two miles (3km) long and less than half a mile
(500m) wide, surrounded by protective coral reefs and deep water
ideally suited to big game fishing. A narrow channel separates
Bazaruto from its southerly neighbour Benguela, the second largest
in the chain; followed by Magaruque, which is the closest island to
Vilanculos on the mainland and primarily a diving resort. From
Magaruque, the tiny uninhabited island of Bangue can be
explored.
Information & Facts
Climate
The Bazaruto Archipelago enjoys a warm, tropical climate.
Evenings are seldom cold, except for a few nights in June and July
and the region experiences less rainfall than areas further south.
In summer temperatures can soar but the islands experience less
humidity than the mainland because of their exposed position.
Language
Portuguese is the official language, and there are 13
main national languages spoken. English is taught in secondary
schools, but is only spoken in the southern tourist
regions.
Money
The official currency is the New Metical (MZN), which is divided
into 100 centavos. In the southern parts of the country, South
African Rand, US Dollars and Pounds Sterling are also accepted to
pay for accommodation. Credit cards are accepted in some upmarket
hotels in Maputo, but facilities throughout the rest of the country
are limited; it is advisable to carry cash or travellers cheques.
ATMs are limited and tend to be unreliable, but local banks have
branches in most cities.