The Islands of Mozambique: A Guide to Bazaruto, Quirimbas, Inhaca & Beyond
Mozambique has four major island groups, each one a different trip. Here's how Bazaruto, Quirimbas, Inhaca, and the Primeiras & Segundas compare — and how to pick the right one.
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Mozambique has 2,500 km of Indian Ocean coastline and four distinct island groups along it. They get lumped together in travel writing — they shouldn’t be. Each one is a different trip.
We operate in Bazaruto and we’re honest about that. We’ve written about the others so you can pick the right place for the trip you actually want, even if that trip isn’t with us.
The four archipelagos, at a glance
- Bazaruto Archipelago — Inhambane Province, southern Mozambique. Five islands, 20–45 minutes by boat from Vilankulo. Easiest to reach. Best for first-timers, families, day trips, and accessible luxury.
- Quirimbas Archipelago — Cabo Delgado Province, far northern Mozambique. Thirty-two islands stretched along 200 km. Hardest to reach, deepest pockets required. Best for divers, history seekers, and remote-luxury travelers.
- Inhaca Island — 35 km off Maputo. One-hour speedboat from the capital. Best for a quick beach escape from the city.
- Primeiras & Segundas Archipelago — Nampula and Zambezia Provinces, central Mozambique. Ten islands, almost no tourism infrastructure, the largest community-managed marine protected area in Africa. Best for surfers, scientists, and travelers who like solitude.
Bazaruto Archipelago
Where. Off the coast of Vilankulo (also spelled Vilanculos), in southern Mozambique’s Inhambane Province. Five islands — Ilha do Bazaruto, Ilha de Benguerra, Ilha de Magaruque, Ilha de Santa Carolina (Paradise Island), and Ilha de Bangué — sitting in turquoise channels between the mainland and the Indian Ocean. The four big islands were built from sand the Save River dumped before it shifted course; Bangué, the smallest, is a much younger sandbank, formed within the last 3,000–4,000 years and still actively reshaped by storms.
Why come. This is the postcard archipelago. Sand dunes that drop straight into the sea on Bazaruto Island. Coral reefs at Two Mile Reef between Bazaruto and Benguerra. Magaruque’s powder-soft beach. The faded grandeur of Santa Carolina, once a 1950s honeymoon island. The Bazaruto National Park has been protected since 1971 — one of Africa’s oldest marine parks — and it’s the only place in the western Indian Ocean where all five of the region’s sea turtle species nest, plus one of the last refuges for the dugong.
Who it’s for. Pretty much everyone. Day-trippers, honeymooners, families, divers, and travelers on a tight schedule. The mix of accessible logistics and genuine wildness is the reason most people come to Mozambique in the first place.
Getting there. Fly into Vilankulo Airport (VNX) from Johannesburg or Maputo, then 20–45 minutes by boat depending on your destination. You can do day trips from Vilankulo or stay at one of the island lodges (Anantara on Bazaruto, andBeyond Benguerra, Azura Benguerra, Kisawa Sanctuary, among others).
Read more on our site. The Bazaruto Archipelago → · The Bazaruto & Benguerra day trip → · Magaruque day trip → · Santa Carolina day trip →
Quirimbas Archipelago
Where. Far north of the country, in Cabo Delgado Province, stretching from Pemba up toward the Tanzanian border. Thirty-two islands across roughly 200 km of coastline.
Why come. The Quirimbas are wilder, deeper, and more remote than Bazaruto. Ibo Island is the cultural heart — a 16th-century Portuguese trading post with a working silversmith tradition, crumbling colonial mansions, and a UNESCO tentative-list listing. Vamizi, Medjumbe, Matemo, and Quilálea are private-island resorts with some of the best diving in the western Indian Ocean — deep walls, pelagics, and reefs that almost nobody touches. The Quirimbas National Park covers the southern part of the archipelago.
Who it’s for. Divers, history travelers, honeymooners with a serious budget, and people who genuinely want to be far from anywhere.
Getting there. Fly into Pemba (POL) from Maputo, Johannesburg, or Dar es Salaam. From Pemba, most resorts arrange charter flights or boat transfers — you’ll add half a day to a full day of travel beyond your international flight.
Important caveat — security. Cabo Delgado has experienced an Islamist insurgency since 2017, with attacks concentrated in mainland districts north of Pemba. The island resorts have continued operating with charter flights that bypass mainland routes, and many are reporting normal operations as of 2025–2026. But the situation is fluid. Check current travel advice before booking — start with the UK FCDO’s Mozambique advice or the US State Department’s and confirm with the resort directly.
Inhaca Island
Where. 35 km off the coast of Maputo, in Maputo Bay. Inhaca is the closest island to a major Mozambican city.
Why come. Day-trip simplicity. A 60-minute speedboat from Maputo (or a slower ferry) puts you on a quiet beach, with a marine biology research station, snorkeling at Santa Maria, and a short walk to Portuguese Island — a sandy spit famous in Mozambican memory as a weekend getaway. It’s not as visually dramatic as Bazaruto or as remote as the Quirimbas, but if you’re already in Maputo and want a beach day, this is the move.
Who it’s for. Travelers based in Maputo for work or research; weekend visitors from South Africa; anyone who wants an easy island day without flying north.
Getting there. Speedboats and ferries leave from Maputo’s Catembe waterfront daily. There’s also a small airstrip with light aircraft connections.
Primeiras & Segundas Archipelago
Where. Off the coasts of Nampula and Zambezia Provinces, central Mozambique. Ten islands across about 200 km — five “Primeiras” (first) and five “Segundas” (second).
Why come. This is the protected zone. In 2012 it was declared the largest community-managed marine protected area in Africa — about 10,400 km² — co-managed by local fishing communities, the government, and conservation organisations like WWF and CARE. The reefs are intact, the seabird colonies are huge, and the surf is good in the right season. There’s almost no tourism infrastructure, which is exactly the appeal for the few travelers who go.
Who it’s for. Surfers, marine biologists, NGO staff, and travelers who value solitude over comfort. If you want a hammock and a cocktail, this isn’t your archipelago.
Getting there. Fly into Nampula (APL) or Quelimane (UEL), then arrange road and boat transfers locally. There’s no scheduled tourism transport — most visits happen through research expeditions, surf charters, or self-organised trips with local operators.
How to choose
Pick Bazaruto if you have a week, want guaranteed sun, want the easiest logistics, and want a mix of beach and accessible adventure. It’s where most travelers start, and for good reason.
Pick the Quirimbas if you have two weeks, a bigger budget, a serious interest in diving or colonial history, and the patience to deal with multi-leg flights. Confirm current security advice before booking.
Pick Inhaca if you’re already in Maputo and want a day at the beach. Don’t fly to Mozambique just for Inhaca — it’s a complement, not a destination.
Pick the Primeiras & Segundas if you want surf, conservation, and solitude, and you’re comfortable putting your own logistics together. Almost nobody else is going.
Common questions
About Mozambique's islands.
Which Mozambican archipelago is easiest to reach?
Can I visit more than one archipelago in a single trip?
When's the best time to visit Mozambique's islands?
Are the islands safe to visit?
Do I need a visa to visit Mozambique's islands?
Where can I dive or snorkel in Mozambique's islands?
Still not sure?
Tell us roughly when you’d come, how long you have, and what kind of trip you want. We’ll be honest — if Bazaruto is right for you, we’ll help you plan it. If a different archipelago is the better fit, we’ll say so. Message us on WhatsApp or browse our other travel tips.
Last reviewed: 28 April 2026. Sources: Bazaruto National Park, Quirimbas National Park (UNESCO), Primeiras & Segundas (WWF), UK FCDO Mozambique travel advice, and the visitor-centre panels at the Bazaruto National Park office in Vilankulo.