Vilanculos to Bazaruto & Benguerra boat transfers
How to get to Bazaruto and Benguerra by boat
One message, then onto your lodge’s beach.
A Bazaruto private boat transfer is a speedboat just for your group, from Vilanculos to your lodge on Bazaruto or Benguerra Island, with your pickup from your hotel or Vilankulo Airport (VNX) included. It costs $450 to $600 per boat, one way, depending on your lodge. Here’s the whole trip.
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Send us one message
Pick your lodge, tap the button and add your date, your flight or hotel, and how many of you there are. We confirm the fare in the chat.
What if the price changes?
It won’t. The fare we confirm is the whole crossing, with boat fuel and your pickup included, and nothing is added at the jetty.
What if my lodge already includes a transfer?
Check your booking first: some lodges fly guests in by helicopter, and some packages include the crossing. If yours sends its own boat, we’ll just get you to the Vilanculos jetty in time.
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Your crossing is confirmed
You get your pickup time and your driver’s name, with the crossing planned around your flight, the tide and the sea.
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Picked up at your hotel or your flight
At your hotel in Vilanculos, or in arrivals at Vilankulo Airport (VNX) with your name on a sign.
What if my flight is late?
We track your flight and plan the crossing around when you actually land.
What if we don’t speak Portuguese?
You won’t need it. Everything is planned in advance, so your crew already knows where you’re going.
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Your bags go on the boat
A short drive to the water, where the crew loads your luggage onto your private speedboat.
Will we get wet?
A little. There’s no jetty at the island end, so you wade through knee-deep water onto the beach. Wear something that can get wet and keep the bag you want dry on your shoulder; the crew carries the rest.
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Out across the archipelago
25 to 45 minutes to Benguerra, about an hour to Anantara, an hour and ten minutes to Bazaruto Sands and an hour and a half to Pestana.
What if the sea is rough?
We watch the wind and the tide and plan the crossing around them. If the sea isn’t safe to cross, we don’t go: we move the time and keep you posted on WhatsApp.
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Your lodge’s beach, or your flight out
Straight onto the beach at your lodge. Leaving? We collect you from the island and drop you at Vilankulo Airport for your flight.
How much is the boat to Bazaruto?
$450 to $600 per boat.
A private speedboat from Vilanculos to a Bazaruto Archipelago lodge costs $450 to $600 per boat, one way, priced by how far out your lodge is. The fare is for your group, not per person, and includes your pickup from your Vilanculos hotel or Vilankulo Airport (VNX) and the boat fuel. The way back is a second crossing at the same fare.
| Lodge | By speedboat | One way |
|---|---|---|
| andBeyond Benguerra | 25–45 min | $450 |
| Azura Benguerra | 25–45 min | $450 |
| Kisawa Sanctuary | 30–45 min | $450 |
| Anantara Bazaruto | About 1h | $500 |
| Bazaruto Sands | About 1h10 | $500 |
| Pestana Bazaruto | About 1h30 | $600 |
Getting to the Bazaruto and Benguerra lodges
Six lodges, two islands, no ferry.
Bazaruto
- Park
- Bazaruto Archipelago National Park
- Islands with lodges
- Bazaruto · Benguerra
- Closest
- Benguerra, about 14 km off Vilanculos
- Farthest
- Pestana, about 65 km up the coast
- Ferry
- None: boat or helicopter
- At the island
- No jetty, you wade ashore
Getting to Pestana Bazaruto Lodge
Pestana is at the northern tip of Bazaruto Island, about 65 km up the coast: the longest crossing, about an hour and a half by speedboat from Vilanculos, for $600 per boat. The lodge recommends a 20-minute helicopter, and notes the boat is only about 45 minutes if you start from Inhassoro.
Getting to Anantara Bazaruto
Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort is about an hour from Vilanculos by private speedboat, $500 per boat. The resort runs its own shared road-and-boat transfer of 45 to 60 minutes on the water, depending on the tide; ours is just your group, at a time you choose.
Getting to Bazaruto Sands (Zenguelemo)
Bazaruto Sands is the eco-lodge that traded as Zenguelemo Lodge, so if your confirmation says Zenguelemo, this is your crossing. It’s on Bazaruto Island’s west coast, about twenty minutes north of Anantara and an hour and ten minutes by speedboat from Vilanculos, $500 per boat.
Getting to andBeyond Benguerra Island
andBeyond Benguerra is the shortest crossing we run, 25 to 45 minutes from Vilanculos depending on the sea, $450 per boat. The lodge flies guests in by helicopter in about 10 minutes, included in some packages and charged separately in others.
Getting to Azura Benguerra
Azura Benguerra is 25 to 45 minutes by speedboat, $450 per boat. Its 8-minute helicopter allows 20 kg of soft-sided luggage per person; the boat takes the hard suitcases, dive gear and boards that won’t fit.
Getting to Kisawa Sanctuary
Kisawa Sanctuary is on the southern tip of Benguerra Island, 30 to 45 minutes by speedboat from Vilanculos, $450 per boat. The lodge offers a 5 to 10 minute helicopter, or a private boat arranged when you book.
Does my lodge include the boat transfer?
Some lodge packages include the crossing and some don’t, and they change, so check yours before you book. If it isn’t included, or you’d rather cross on your own schedule than wait for a shared departure, we run a private boat to all six lodges.
Before you ask
Bazaruto boat transfer questions, answered.
How much is the boat to Bazaruto?
How do I get to Bazaruto Island?
How far is Bazaruto from Vilanculos?
Can you stay on Bazaruto Island?
How do I get from Maputo to Bazaruto Island?
Is there a ferry to Bazaruto Island?
Does my lodge already include the boat transfer?
Can I go by boat instead of a helicopter?
Do you bring me back as well?
How do I pay for the transfer?
Can you carry luggage and dive gear?
Is this a day tour to the islands?
Do you do other routes besides the islands?
Last reviewed:
Tell us your lodge
and your dates.
One message and we'll confirm your boat, your pickup and the fare to your lodge, plus the way back if you want it.
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