Magaruque and Santa Carolina district

Bazaruto Archipelago & Tofo, Mozambique

Smaller islands offering secluded snorkelling coves and the ruins of an old hotel on Santa Carolina (Paradise Island).

Places in Magaruque and Santa Carolina district

Archipelago eco-lodge dining Smaller eco lodges and boutique hideaways prioritising intimacy, sustainability, and a closer connection to nature.

Best time to visit: April to December (dry season) offers the best diving visibility and calmest seas, with whale migration season peaking July to October.
Getting around: Travellers reach the archipelago via Vilanculos, followed by a boat or helicopter transfer to their lodge on Bazaruto, Benguerra, or the smaller islands like Magaruque and Santa Carolina.
Currency: Mozambican Metical (MT)
Language: Portuguese (official); local languages are widely spoken.
Timezone: CAT (UTC+2)
Current trends: The Bazaruto Archipelago's hospitality scene continues to split between Anantara's established full-service luxury and &Beyond Benguerra Island's private-casita seclusion, with the archipelago's growing collection of small eco lodges emphasizing sustainability and dugong conservation, anchored by dive sites like Two Mile Reef and Manta Reef among some of the least disturbed reefs in the Indian Ocean.

Bazaruto Island — Home to Anantara, the most established and recognizable luxury property on the island, with spa treatments and beach horse riding.
Benguerra Island — Home to &Beyond Benguerra Island, offering true seclusion with private casitas overlooking turquoise waters.