Magaruque Island — shallow lagoon and white sand, Bazaruto Archipelago

Bazaruto Archipelago · Mozambique

Magaruque
Day Trip.

Locally owned Small groups No middleman

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Overview

One island. A short ride away.

Magaruque is the closest island in the Bazaruto Archipelago — about 14 km off Vilankulo and the shortest crossing of any of our island trips. Undeveloped, no resorts, and a wide shallow lagoon that stays calm when the open channel is rough — a favorite with families and first-time snorkelers.

Officially Ilha de Magaruque; on older Portuguese charts Ilha Santa Isabel. About 189 hectares.

The day has an easy shape. Two hours on the beach when we arrive — walk the sand, swim, or climb up to the dunes. Late morning we snorkel straight off the shore: the reef here forms a natural pool, shallow enough to stand in and full of fish. Lunch is cooked fresh on the sand. The afternoon is yours — swim, nap, walk the beach — until we head back.

The crossing is short enough to do by speed boat or by traditional dhow — which boat we run depends on conditions on the day. If it's the dhow, we motor out in the morning to keep to schedule and sail back in the afternoon: slower, quieter, the trip becomes the point. Want the boat to yourselves? We run private charters on request — message us for pricing.

We're locally-owned. Our skippers live here in Vilankulo, our crew grew up on this coast, and our prices stay fair because we don't pay a broker. That's the whole thing.

Duration
~8 hours
Group
Max 15 guests
Runs
Year-round
Departure
We pick you up — 8:00 AM
Difficulty
Easy
Best for
Families · Couples · Beginner snorkelers · Anyone with young kids

Highlights

The good bits.

  • The closest island — a short, easy crossing
  • A shallow lagoon that stays calm on rough days — great for families
  • Snorkel a natural pool straight off the beach — reef in waist-deep water
  • Walk the dunes for a view across to the mainland
  • Beach lunch — seafood, chakalaka, fresh fruit, cooked on the sand
  • Speed boat or traditional dhow, depending on the day's conditions
  • Small groups of up to 15, or book a private boat just for you

Itinerary

The day, hour by hour.

  1. 8:00 AM

    We pick you up

    The boat comes to your hotel or the nearest beach. Quick safety briefing, fresh water, and you're off.

    Boat leaving Vilankulo for Magaruque Island
  2. 9:00 AM

    Arrive at Magaruque

    A short crossing — under an hour by speed boat. Keep an eye on the water: dolphins come alongside often, and the channel is dugong and turtle habitat.

    Arriving at Magaruque Island by boat
  3. 9:00 AM

    Beach, swim, or the dunes

    Two hours to do what you like. The beach is soft and empty, the water shallow and calm. If you're up for it, walk inland to the dunes — a short climb with a long view back across to Vilankulo.

    Empty white-sand beach on Magaruque Island
  4. 11:00 AM

    Snorkeling off the shore

    We snorkel right off the beach. The reef here forms a natural pool — shallow coral, waist-deep water, and enough tropical fish to keep first-timers happy for an hour. Equipment included; life jackets for anyone who wants one.

    Snorkeling a shallow reef at Magaruque Island
  5. 12:30 PM

    Lunch on the beach

    A proper spread, prepared fresh by our crew right on the sand. Seafood buffet, chicken, rice, chakalaka, fresh salads, and tropical fruit. Vegan and vegetarian options always available — just let us know when you book.

    Beach lunch on Magaruque — seafood, rice, chakalaka
  6. 1:30 PM

    Swim or relax

    Until we leave, the beach is yours. Swim, nap in the shade, walk the sand, or head back into the lagoon with a mask. No schedule, no hurry.

    Calm lagoon water on Magaruque Island
  7. 3:00 PM

    Head back to Vilankulo

    We start the crossing back mid-afternoon. If we came out on the dhow, this is the sail — slower, quieter, the wind does the work. You're back around 4:00 PM, plenty of time to shower before dinner.

    Boats at Vilankulo at golden hour

What you get

What’s included.

Included

  • Boat pickup from beachfront hotels and lodges
  • Speed boat or traditional dhow (depending on the day's conditions)
  • Experienced local skipper and guide
  • Snorkeling equipment (masks, fins, life jackets)
  • Beach lunch — seafood, chicken, chakalaka, rice, fruit
  • Water and soft drinks throughout the day
  • Marine park entry fees

Not included

  • Transfer to beach if your hotel is not on the waterfront
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Gratuities for the crew
  • Travel insurance

What to bring

Pack light.

Essentials

  • Sunscreen (reef-safe preferred)
  • Hat and sunglasses
  • A towel
  • Swimwear
  • Cash for tips, if you want

Nice to have

  • Rash vest or thin wetsuit top — the water can be cool
  • Waterproof bag or pouch
  • Light layer for the ride back
  • Underwater camera
  • Snacks, if you have dietary needs

Questions we get

Before you book.

How far is Magaruque from Vilankulo?
About 14 km — the closest island in the archipelago, and the shortest crossing of any of our island trips. Under an hour by speed boat, longer by dhow.
Do we go by speed boat or by dhow?
Depends on the day. Both are part of how we run this trip, and the crew picks the right boat based on wind and sea conditions. Speed boat is quicker and gets you a bit more time on the island; the dhow is the traditional sailing boat of this coast — slower, romantic, the trip itself becomes part of the day. On the dhow we motor out in the morning to keep to schedule and sail back in the afternoon, so you still get a full day on the island either way.
Is this a good trip for families with young kids?
Yes — it's the one we usually recommend for families. The crossing is short, the lagoon is shallow and calm, and the snorkeling is straight off the beach in water you can stand in. Kids under 10 pay 50% off the adult price ($55 for this trip). Life jackets provided.
Is the snorkeling good?
Yes — and easy. The reef forms a natural pool right off the shore: shallow coral, waist-deep water, and plenty of tropical fish. It's one of the most accessible reef snorkels in the archipelago, which is why beginners and kids do well here. Equipment is included.
Are we inside Bazaruto National Park?
Yes — Magaruque is one of the five islands of Bazaruto National Marine Park, which covers 143,000 hectares of ocean and has been co-managed since 2017 by the Mozambican government and African Parks. Park entry fees are included in your trip price, and our skippers follow park rules on speed, anchoring, and wildlife distance — part of how these reefs and the dugong and turtle populations are still here.
What are the park rules we need to follow?
A few things, all of them straightforward. Don't touch or stand on coral. Don't touch or feed wildlife. Don't collect shells, sand, or anything else from the island or reef. No fishing outside designated zones. No fires on the beach except where indicated. No drones without prior written authorisation from the park (we can't get this on the day — you'd need to apply in advance). And please take all your rubbish back with you. Our crew briefs everyone before we land, and we're happy to answer questions on the boat.
Do you pick us up from our hotel?
Yes — the boat comes to your hotel or the nearest beach at 8 AM. Just tell us where you're staying when you book.
Can we book a private boat?
Absolutely. Same trip, same crew, just your group on the boat. Message us for private charter pricing.
What if the weather is bad?
Safety first — if conditions aren't right, we do not run unsafe trips. Magaruque is the most sheltered island in the archipelago, and the lagoon stays calm on days when the open water is rough, so we can often still run this trip when others get postponed. We contact you quickly if anything changes.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
We always have vegan and vegetarian options available. Just let us know when you book.
Can we buy anything on the island?
No — Magaruque is uninhabited. No shops, kiosks, or vending machines. Whatever you want for the day (snacks, extra sunscreen, cash, a book for the beach), bring it with you. The one thing you don't need to pack is water — we bring plenty, cold and all day.
How do we pay?
We accept cash, card, bank transfer, and mobile money. Payment terms are confirmed in your quote based on your booking details.

More days on the water

Other Vilankulo trips.

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$110  per person ≈ 6,500 MZN Kids under 10 · $55
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