Bazaruto Archipelago, turquoise water and white sand

Bazaruto Archipelago · Mozambique

Bazaruto & Benguerra
Day Trip.

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Overview

Two islands. One long day at sea.

The Bazaruto & Benguerra Day Trip is a full day at sea from Vilanculos to two islands in the Bazaruto Archipelago — and the trip most people come here for. You'll climb the white-sand dunes, snorkel some of the clearest water in the Indian Ocean, and eat a beach lunch cooked fresh on the sand.

What makes the day is the contrast between the two islands. Bazaruto is the big, dramatic one — white-sand dunes that rise straight off the beach, high enough to climb barefoot for a view clear across the channel to the mainland. Benguerra is its opposite: smaller, quieter, more remote, the kind of beach where it's usually just your group and the ghost crabs at low tide. And the seagrass channel you cross between them is one of the best places on the East African coast to see dugongs — the shy sea-cow cousins of the elephant that have all but vanished from the rest of the Indian Ocean. Dolphins and turtles surface around the boat on the crossing, too.

In Portuguese: Arquipélago do Bazaruto. Bazaruto (Ilha do Bazaruto) is the largest in the group at 10,700 ha; Benguerra (Ilha de Benguerra) is 2,399 ha. Both sit inside Bazaruto National Park.

You'll have a skipper who knows every reef and sandbar, in a group of no more than 15. Want the boat to yourselves? We also run private charters — same trip, same crew, just your group. Message us and we'll sort it out.

Duration
~8 hours
Group
Max 15 guests
Runs
Year-round
Departure
We pick you up — 8:00 AM
Difficulty
Easy
Best for
Couples · Families · Snorkelers · Photographers

Highlights

The good bits.

  • Two islands in one day — Bazaruto & Benguerra
  • Land at Ponta Dondo and climb the famous dunes of Bazaruto
  • Snorkel Two Mile Reef — some of the clearest water in the Indian Ocean
  • Time on quiet beaches most travelers never see
  • Beach lunch — seafood buffet, chakalaka, fresh fruit
  • Small groups of up to 15, or book a private boat just for you
  • Dolphins, dugongs, and marine life on the crossing

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. No transfers, no waiting around.

    Speed boat at Vilankulo marina
  2. 8:45 AM

    Arrive at Ponta Dondo

    About 45 minutes across the channel to Ponta Dondo — the southern point of Bazaruto, where the dunes rise straight off the beach. Iron Age remains have been found here, so people have been coming ashore at this point for a very long time. Keep an eye on the water on the crossing — dolphins, dugongs, and sea turtles all come up around the boat.

    Arriving at Ponta Dondo on Bazaruto Island
    The view from the top of Ponta Dondo, Bazaruto Island
  3. 9:00 AM

    Climb the dunes + beach time

    Walk barefoot up the towering white-sand dunes above Ponta Dondo — one of the signature sights of the archipelago. A long view across the channel to the mainland from the top. Then back down to swim, walk the sand, or just sit. The beach is yours: soft white sand, impossible turquoise water, almost nobody else around.

    The white-sand dunes of Bazaruto Island rising off the beach
    Beach time on the white sand below the Bazaruto dunes
    The view across the channel from the top of the Bazaruto dunes
  4. 11:00 AM

    Snorkeling at Two Mile Reef

    A short 15-minute ride to one of the best reefs in the archipelago. Shallow enough for beginners, colorful enough for everyone. Equipment included. Depending on the tide, we sometimes snorkel first thing — the crew reads the conditions and picks the best order.

    Colorful coral at Two Mile Reef
  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.

    Fresh seafood lunch on the beach
  6. 2:00 PM

    Into the seagrass — dugong watch

    We slow right down through the seagrass channel between the two islands and spend about ten minutes scanning the water. This is one of the best places left on the East African coast to see dugongs — the shy, seagrass-grazing sea cows that have all but vanished from the rest of the Indian Ocean, with perhaps 250 still here. No promises — they're wild — but this channel is where they feed, and it's where we see them.

    A dugong grazing on seagrass in the channel between Bazaruto and Benguerra
  7. 2:20 PM

    Over to Benguerra

    Then onto Benguerra: swim, explore on foot, or walk across to the open-ocean side of the island, where the sand comes alive with thousands of ghost crabs scuttling sideways into their burrows. Smaller, more remote, and usually just you and the sand.

    Dunes on Benguerra Island, Bazaruto Archipelago
    Benguerra Island, Bazaruto Archipelago
  8. 3:00 PM

    Head back to Vilankulo

    We start the crossing back as the afternoon light turns golden. Eyes on the water again for dolphins and dugongs. You're back by around 4 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 and fuel
  • 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 — one with a chin cord won't blow off in the boat
  • 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.

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 we want to add Santa Carolina (Paradise Island) too?
Then you want our Santa Carolina, Bazaruto & Benguerra Day Trip. Same crew, same beach lunch, plus Santa Carolina (Paradise Island) and its 1950s hotel ruins at the start of the day. Longer day on the water — about 8.5 hours — but you see all three signature islands of the archipelago in one trip.
Can we finish the day on the red dunes for sunset?
Yes — it's one of our favourite ways to end the trip. On the way back from the islands we can drop you at the mainland red dunes (the dunas vermelhas north of town) to climb up on foot and watch the sun set over the bush before heading in. Just ask when you book and we'll build it into the day.
Is this suitable for kids? Is there a kids price?
Yes — and yes. Kids under 10 pay 50% off the adult price ($60 for this trip). The boat is stable, life jackets are provided, and there's plenty of beach time. Confident young swimmers will love the snorkeling; little ones are happy on the sand.
What if the weather is bad?
Safety first — if conditions aren't right, we do not run unsafe trips. We contact you quickly with the next available options based on wind and sea state.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
We always have vegan and vegetarian options available. Just let us know when you book.
What's the snorkeling like?
Warm, clear water at Two Mile Reef. Shallow enough for beginners, full of tropical fish and coral. Visibility is best April–November. Equipment is included.
Are we inside Bazaruto National Park?
Yes — the whole day. Bazaruto National Marine Park covers all five islands and 143,000 hectares of surrounding ocean. Created in 1971, declared an Important Marine Mammal Area in 2018, and 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 — which is why 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 islands 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.
Can we buy anything on the islands?
No — the islands have 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.
Do I need to be a confident swimmer to snorkel?
No. The reef we snorkel is shallow and beginner-friendly, and life jackets are included — you can float on the surface and look down without swimming hard. Happy to skip it? Both islands have long, quiet beaches to swim off and walk, and plenty of guests stay on the sand. If you're not confident in the water, tell the crew — they stay close and keep an eye on everyone.
It's a day at sea — will anyone get seasick?
Most people are fine. It's about 45 minutes across to Bazaruto, and the water around and between the islands is usually calm — but the open part of the crossing can pick up some chop when the wind is up. If you're prone to motion sickness, take something before we leave (the pharmacies in town stock it), sit toward the middle of the boat, and keep your eyes on the horizon. Tell the crew if it hits — they've seen it all and will help.
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.

Last reviewed by EKAYA on . Pricing and inclusions verified on this date. Anything off? Tell us.

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$120  per person ≈ 7,500 MZN Kids under 10 · $60
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