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Santa Carolina — Paradise Island — from the water, Bazaruto Archipelago

Bazaruto Archipelago · Mozambique

Santa Carolina.
Paradise Island.

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Overview

One island. The glamour left behind.

Santa Carolina — Ilha do Paraíso, Paradise Island — is a 59-hectare rock island 42 km north of Vilanculos, the smallest in the Bazaruto Archipelago and the only one built on rock rather than sand. Nobody has lived there since the Grande Hotel emptied in 1975. We run a full day out to it: the Art Deco ruins, reef that starts seven minutes off the beach, and three beaches you will most likely have to yourselves.

The reason most people come, though, is the old hotel. In the 1950s a Portuguese businessman, Joaquim Alves, built the Grande Hotel Santa Carolina here — an Art Deco resort of 250 rooms across ten buildings, with its own chapel — reportedly as a paradise for his Mozambican wife, Ana. Through the 1960s this was one of the most glamorous addresses in southern Africa. It has been empty since 1975. What's left is a crumbling Art Deco shell, a first-floor terrace you can still walk onto, and a view across the turquoise that hasn't changed in seventy years.

It's about an hour and a half each way on the boat from Vilankulo — part of why Santa Carolina stays quiet. You share it with almost no one. Small groups of up to fifteen, a skipper who knows every reef on the way, and a full beach lunch cooked fresh on the sand. Want the boat to yourselves? We also run private charters. Message us and we'll sort it out.

One thing worth knowing: an empty Paradise Island has a shelf life. A 25-year concession was granted in late 2025 to build a 60-bed lodge here. Nothing has been built yet — but the version of this island where you walk the ruins alone is the one that exists right now.

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

Highlights

The good bits.

  • The northernmost island in the Bazaruto Archipelago
  • Walk the ruins of the 1950s Santa Carolina Hotel — the 'Paradise Island' of the 60s
  • Snorkel the reef south of the island — a seven-minute boat ride, then straight in
  • Walk the full perimeter of the island in about ninety minutes
  • Dolphins, sea turtles, and the chance of a dugong on the crossing
  • Beach lunch — seafood, chakalaka, fresh fruit, cooked on the sand
  • Small groups of up to 15, or book a private boat just for you

About the island

What Santa Carolina actually is.

Santa Carolina Island — officially Ilha de Santa Carolina, and known for seventy years as Ilha do Paraíso, Paradise Island — is a 59-hectare island roughly 42 km north of Vilanculos, in the north of Mozambique's Bazaruto Archipelago. It is the smallest of the five islands, the only one built on rock rather than sand, and it has no permanent residents, no road, no jetty and no shop. You get there by boat or not at all.

That rock foundation is why the snorkeling here is what it is. Bazaruto, Benguerra and Magaruque are drowned sand dunes with shallows that run out for hundreds of metres; Santa Carolina drops into deep channels close to shore, so coral reef wraps the island itself and the best of it sits about seven minutes off the beach.

The ruins are the other reason people come. In the 1950s the Portuguese businessman Joaquim Alves built the Grande Hotel Santa Carolina here — 250 rooms across ten buildings, with its own chapel — and through the 1960s Paradise Island was one of the most glamorous addresses in southern Africa. Local legend puts Bob Dylan and Elton John on the guest list, and has Dylan writing “Mozambique” at the piano in the lounge. We have not been able to confirm or kill that one. What is on the record: the song is credited to Dylan and the lyricist Jacques Levy, and it was recorded on 30 July 1975 at Columbia Studios in New York, for the 1976 album Desire — a month after Mozambique became independent, and the same year this hotel emptied. Where it was actually written, nobody seems to have published. So treat the piano story as a good yarn rather than a fact, and note that a recording date in New York does not rule out a song begun somewhere else. The hotel was abandoned at Mozambican independence in 1975 and has stood empty ever since.

That may not stay true. In November 2025 Mozambique's National Tourism Institute (INATUR) granted the South African ecotourism group Singita a 25-year concession over the island: a reported $60 million for a 60-bed lodge on Santa Carolina, part of a $102 million five-year plan that also funds conservation work across the national park and a marine research centre on the mainland at Vilanculos (Club of Mozambique). Nothing has been built yet, and for now the island is exactly as it has been for fifty years — which is the whole reason to go now.

Santa Carolina, in facts.

Size
59 hectares — the smallest of the five islands in the Bazaruto Archipelago.
Distance
42 km north of Vilanculos, measured between the two sets of coordinates rather than estimated — you will see 35 km quoted in places, but the island sits at 21°37′08″S and Vilanculos at 22°00′S, which works out at 42.5 km. Roughly an hour and a half each way by speedboat. No airstrip, no ferry, no bridge: boat access only.
Geology
The only true rock island in the archipelago. The other four are sand. Deep channels run close to shore, which is why the reef comes right up to the beach.
Who lives there
Nobody. Santa Carolina has been uninhabited since 1975 — no village, no lodge, no shop, no fresh water for visitors. Whatever you need for the day comes on the boat.
Protected status
Inside Bazaruto Archipelago National Park, which it joined when the park boundaries were widened in 2001. Co-managed by ANAC and African Parks since 2017.
Park fee
MZN 900 per person per day for international visitors, plus MZN 250 for snorkelling (June 2026 rates; MZN 600/400 entry for SADC and Mozambican nationals). Every EKAYA island trip already includes them.
The ruins
The Grande Hotel Santa Carolina — 250 rooms, ten buildings, a chapel — built in the 1950s by Joaquim Alves and empty since 1975.
What's next
Singita holds a 25-year concession granted in November 2025 to build a 60-bed lodge on the island. Construction hasn't started.

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.

    Speed boat leaving Vilankulo for Santa Carolina
  2. 9:30 AM

    Arrive at Santa Carolina

    About an hour and a half across the channel — roughly 42 km north of Vilankulo. Keep an eye on the water: the seagrass we cross is dugong and turtle habitat, and dolphins often come alongside the boat.

    Approaching Santa Carolina, Paradise Island, by speed boat
  3. 9:45 AM

    The old hotel

    We walk up to the ruins of the Santa Carolina Hotel — ten buildings, a chapel, and the famous first-floor terrace where guests drank sundowners in the 1960s. Empty since 1975. You can walk through, photograph it, and stand on the terrace with the same view across to Bazaruto that drew the original crowd.

    Ruins of the Santa Carolina Hotel on Paradise Island, Mozambique
  4. 11:00 AM

    Snorkeling on the south reef

    Reef rings the whole island, and the best of it sits just south — about seven minutes by boat from where we land. The skipper picks the spot and the moment: shallow coral, thousands of fish, and sea turtles that come through with the tide. Equipment included.

    Coral reef snorkeling at Santa Carolina, Bazaruto Archipelago
  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 Santa Carolina — seafood, rice, chakalaka
  6. 1:45 PM

    Walk the island or swim

    Santa Carolina is small enough to walk all the way around in about ninety minutes — three beaches, a palm-lined interior, and views across to Bazaruto and the mainland. If you’d rather stay put, swim, or find a shaded stretch of sand with your name on it.

    Empty white-sand beach on Santa Carolina, Paradise Island
  7. 2:30 PM

    Head back to Vilankulo

    We start the crossing back mid-afternoon. Eyes on the water again — dolphins often come alongside. 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 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
  • A proper camera — the ruins photograph beautifully
  • Snacks, if you have dietary needs

Questions we get

Before you book.

What is Santa Carolina Island?
Santa Carolina Island — officially Ilha de Santa Carolina, and long known as Ilha do Paraíso (Paradise Island) — is a small island in the north of Mozambique's Bazaruto Archipelago, about 42 km off the coast of Vilanculos and reachable only by boat. At 59 hectares it's the smallest island in the group and the only true rock island among its sand-based neighbours, ringed by three beaches and coral reef, and it sits inside Bazaruto National Park. Its fame comes from the ruins of the Grande Hotel Santa Carolina: a 250-room Art Deco resort, built across ten buildings in the 1950s by Portuguese businessman Joaquim Alves, that made Paradise Island one of southern Africa's glamour addresses through the 1960s — until it was abandoned at Mozambican independence in 1975. Today the island is uninhabited, and the roofless hotel and its chapel still stand above the sand.
Why is it called Paradise Island?
That was the name of the hotel — 'Paradise Island' — built here by Portuguese businessman Joaquim Alves in the 1950s. Through the 1960s it was one of the most glamorous addresses in southern Africa. The hotel was abandoned at Mozambican independence in 1975, but the nickname stuck. Locals still call the island Paraíso.
Can you stay overnight on Santa Carolina?
Not today. Santa Carolina has had no accommodation since the Grande Hotel closed in 1975 — the island is uninhabited, and every visit is a day trip by boat. That is due to change: in November 2025 Mozambique's National Tourism Institute (INATUR) granted the ecotourism group Singita a 25-year concession over the island, with a reported $60 million earmarked for a 60-bed lodge, inside a $102 million five-year plan that also funds conservation work across the national park and a marine research centre at Vilanculos (Club of Mozambique, 17 November 2025). Construction hasn't begun and no opening date has been announced. Until it does, the only way to set foot on Paradise Island is a day trip like this one.
How much is the Bazaruto park fee, and is it included?
It's included — we pay it for you. For the record, Bazaruto Archipelago National Park charges a conservation fee per person per day, in meticais, collected at the park office in Vilanculos before the crossing. As of June 2026 that's MZN 900 entry for international visitors (MZN 600 for SADC nationals, MZN 400 for Mozambicans) plus MZN 250 for snorkelling (MZN 100 for Mozambicans). Every EKAYA island trip covers it, so you never queue at the office, and the money goes into protecting the reef, the turtles and the last viable dugong population in East Africa. The park sets the rates — if they change before your trip, the amount we cover changes with them.
Can we walk inside the old hotel?
Usually, yes — conditions depending. The structure is open, ten buildings and a chapel, all empty since 1975, and most days we walk through the grounds and up to the first-floor terrace. Watch your footing: the floors are uneven and decades of weather have done what weather does.
How long is the crossing?
About an hour and a half each way by speed boat — roughly 42 km north of Vilankulo. The distance is part of why Santa Carolina stays so quiet; most days it's just our group on the island.
Is the snorkeling good?
Yes — genuinely. Reef wraps the whole island, and the best of it sits just south — about seven minutes by boat from where we land. Shallow coral, thousands of fish, and sea turtles that come through with the tide. Equipment included.
Is Santa Carolina part of Bazaruto National Park?
Yes — Santa Carolina was added to Bazaruto National Marine Park in 2001, when the park boundaries were expanded. The park covers all five islands and 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 — this includes fragments of the old hotel. 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.
Can we combine Santa Carolina with Bazaruto and Benguerra in one day?
Yes — that's our Santa Carolina, Bazaruto & Benguerra Day Trip. Santa Carolina (Paradise Island) in the morning, the Bazaruto dunes in the early afternoon, a dugong watch in the seagrass channel, and Benguerra to close. Longer day on the water — about 8.5 hours — but if your time in Vilanculos is short and you want to see the whole archipelago in one go, that's the 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 island 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 ($75 for this trip). One thing to keep in mind: it's a full day on the water, with about three hours total on the boat. Confident kids handle it well. Life jackets provided, and there's plenty of beach time once we arrive.
What if the weather is bad on the day?
Bad weather doesn't cancel the trip — unsafe conditions do, and only the crew calls that. If the skipper says it's not safe we don't sail: free reschedule, or a full refund if you've already paid. Rain, cloud, wind or a choppy sea aren't cancellations. You see the weather and the sea for yourself on the morning, and getting on the boat is your decision. Once you're aboard, the tour is running. Heading back early doesn't refund the trip — Full terms are on our cancellation page.
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 — Santa Carolina 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.
Do I need to be a confident swimmer to snorkel?
No. The reef sits just south of the island in shallow water, and life jackets are included — you can float on the surface and look down without swimming hard. Rather stay dry? Santa Carolina has three beaches and a walkable interior, and plenty of guests skip the snorkel and stay on the sand. If you're not confident in the water, tell the crew — they stay close and keep an eye on everyone.
Will anyone get seasick?
Most people are fine — but Santa Carolina is the most exposed of our island trips, with the longest open crossing, so if the wind is up it can get bouncy. That's exactly why we watch the forecast and won't run it in unsafe conditions. 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.
Is this trip accessible? Can you accommodate limited mobility?
Honestly, it has real limits — it's a boat-and-beach day. There's no jetty: we pick you up off the beach, so you wade through shallow water to climb in and out of the boat, and any time ashore is on soft sand with no paved paths. The snorkel and any beach or dune walks are optional, and there's plenty of flat beach and boat time. Our crew is glad to help you on and off the boat. If you or someone in your group has limited mobility or uses a mobility aid, message us before you book — we'll tell you honestly whether the day will work and what we can do.
How far in advance should I book?
In high season — June to September, plus the Christmas holidays — we'd book days ahead to be safe, since the best dates fill up. But don't let a late plan stop you: message us anytime, even same-day, and if we've got space we'll do our best to fit you in.
What language is the tour in? Do I need to speak English or Portuguese?
You don't need to share a language with us to enjoy this. Our crew speaks English and Portuguese, but this is a see-and-do trip, not a guided lecture — the island, the water, and the wildlife do the talking. We host guests from all over the world, plenty of whom speak neither, and everyone has a great day. We'll always make sure you know what's happening and when.

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

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