Where are the best beaches in Mozambique?
Best beaches and Islands of Mozambique
Mozambique is blessed with an incredible coastline and offshore islands that offer picture-postcard settings. Powder white sandy beaches, swaying palm trees, turquoise waters and coral reefs teeming with tropical marine life, what more can you ask for as a beach destination after your African safari adventure. Below are our top beach and island destinations in Mozambique.
Bazaruto Islands
The Bazaruto Archipelago is made up of 4 large islands: Bazaruto, Benguerra, Santa Isobel and Santa Carolina, all of which lie off the coast of Vilanculos which is the main access point for the islands and island lodges. The Bazaruto Islands are your typical tropical island paradise with white sandy beaches, palm trees, calm, warm turquoise waters and offshore reefs teeming with colorful tropical fishes. The Bazaruto Islands are the perfect place to relax and unwind after your days on safari in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe or Namibia.
Bazaruto and Benguerra are the only 2 islands that have any villages and lodges, with Santa Isobel and Santa Carolina being uninhabited. Benguerra Island is home to our top choice of beach lodges, Azura Benguerra. This stylish beach lodge offers a wide range of luxury bungalows right on the beach. With world class service and food to match, Azura Benguerra is the perfect choice for honeymooners or anyone looking for a private, relaxing beach holiday in Mozambique.
Guests staying at any of the beach lodges on Bazaruto or Benguerra have lots to do during their beach holiday. From snorkeling some of the best reefs in the world, horse riding, village tours, sailing, island picnics, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, dhow trips or simply relaxing on the beach.
Vilanculos
The town of Vilanculos is the main access point from South Africa to the Bazaruto and Benguerra Islands. The town offers some great culture and markets, but there is only one property here that we would sell. Santorini Villas are on the northern side of the town on a cliff overlooking the ocean and islands. Being on the mainland, the beach is not as pristine as those of the islands and any diving or snorkeling requires day trips out to the islands which come at an additional cost. The villas, however, are stunning and perfect to just relax at and enjoy the serenity of the place. The food is incredible with most of it being locally sourced.
Ibo Island and the Quirimbas Archipelago
In the north of Mozambique lies the Quirimbas Archipelago, including Ibo Island. Most of the islands in the Quirimbas Archipelago are uninhabited, although some of the larger islands here have exclusive luxury beach lodges on them, offering guests some of the most exclusive beaches in the world. Ibo Island is one of the larger islands in the chain and has been used as a trading post for hundreds of years. Today Ibo Island has a lost world feeling to it where local fishermen cast their nets and lines as has been done for centuries before them, using traditional dhows to access deeper channels. The architecture of Ibo Island dates back several centuries when pirates and slaves moved through these waters.
Our pick of island resorts in the Quirimbas Archipelago is the Azura Quilalea which is a rustic, yet luxurious private beach lodge on a coral outcrop with some of the best diving and snorkeling right from the beach.
A unique experience that guests can enjoy in the Quirimbas Archipelago is a multi-day Dhow safari. Sailing between uninhabited islands on a traditional dhow, eating fresh seafood bought from local fishermen and cooked on an open fire on the beach, this is an amazing way to explore the tropical islands of the north. As you sail between the islands, the crew will find a secluded island and beach to setup camp for the night.
Mozambique is blessed with an incredible coastline and offshore islands that offer picture-postcard settings. Powder white sandy beaches, swaying palm trees, turquoise waters and coral reefs teeming with tropical marine life, what more can you ask for as a beach destination after your African safari adventure. Below are our top beach and island destinations in Mozambique.
Bazaruto Islands
The Bazaruto Archipelago is made up of 4 large islands: Bazaruto, Benguerra, Santa Isobel and Santa Carolina, all of which lie off the coast of Vilanculos which is the main access point for the islands and island lodges. The Bazaruto Islands are your typical tropical island paradise with white sandy beaches, palm trees, calm, warm turquoise waters and offshore reefs teeming with colorful tropical fishes. The Bazaruto Islands are the perfect place to relax and unwind after your days on safari in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe or Namibia.
Bazaruto and Benguerra are the only 2 islands that have any villages and lodges, with Santa Isobel and Santa Carolina being uninhabited. Benguerra Island is home to our top choice of beach lodges, Azura Benguerra. This stylish beach lodge offers a wide range of luxury bungalows right on the beach. With world class service and food to match, Azura Benguerra is the perfect choice for honeymooners or anyone looking for a private, relaxing beach holiday in Mozambique.
Guests staying at any of the beach lodges on Bazaruto or Benguerra have lots to do during their beach holiday. From snorkeling some of the best reefs in the world, horse riding, village tours, sailing, island picnics, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, dhow trips or simply relaxing on the beach.
Vilanculos
The town of Vilanculos is the main access point from South Africa to the Bazaruto and Benguerra Islands. The town offers some great culture and markets, but there is only one property here that we would sell. Santorini Villas are on the northern side of the town on a cliff overlooking the ocean and islands. Being on the mainland, the beach is not as pristine as those of the islands and any diving or snorkeling requires day trips out to the islands which come at an additional cost. The villas, however, are stunning and perfect to just relax at and enjoy the serenity of the place. The food is incredible with most of it being locally sourced.
Ibo Island and the Quirimbas Archipelago
In the north of Mozambique lies the Quirimbas Archipelago, including Ibo Island. Most of the islands in the Quirimbas Archipelago are uninhabited, although some of the larger islands here have exclusive luxury beach lodges on them, offering guests some of the most exclusive beaches in the world. Ibo Island is one of the larger islands in the chain and has been used as a trading post for hundreds of years. Today Ibo Island has a lost world feeling to it where local fishermen cast their nets and lines as has been done for centuries before them, using traditional dhows to access deeper channels. The architecture of Ibo Island dates back several centuries when pirates and slaves moved through these waters.
Our pick of island resorts in the Quirimbas Archipelago is the Azura Quilalea which is a rustic, yet luxurious private beach lodge on a coral outcrop with some of the best diving and snorkeling right from the beach.
A unique experience that guests can enjoy in the Quirimbas Archipelago is a multi-day Dhow safari. Sailing between uninhabited islands on a traditional dhow, eating fresh seafood bought from local fishermen and cooked on an open fire on the beach, this is an amazing way to explore the tropical islands of the north. As you sail between the islands, the crew will find a secluded island and beach to setup camp for the night.