Vilanculos is a popular gateway to the Bazaruto Archipelago, a group of islands and Mozambique's only underwater national park.
This idyllic archipelago consists of four islands (Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque and Sta. Carolina). They are situated off main land between Vilanculos and Inhassoro (780 km from Maputo). There are high quality hotels on the islands.
To reach the islands it is possible to hire a boat locally, or to travel by air from Maputo and Beira or to fly directly from a neighbouring country via Vilanculos where there are immigration and customs services.
Vilanculos is a popular beach resort, has a harbour, an airport and boats sail to the Bazaruto Archipelago on a daily basis. The costal area surrounding Vilanculos is world renowned for its superb variety of white sand, alluring golden sunsets and tall palm trees.
Experience the wonder of a traditional sailing dhow gliding through the Bazaruto Archipelago. The islands of Benguerra, Bazaruto, Magaruque and Santa Carolina are complete with azure waters, sandy beaches, palm trees and pristine coral reefs.
The area surrounding is ranked as the best Black Marlin destination in the Eastern Indian Ocean. The season runs from early October through to end of January each year. The Marlin come close in to the shallow waters around the Islands and can often be found feeding around the shoals of various species of tuna that frequent our waters during this time of the year.
The Bazaruto Archipelago area also offers salt water fly fishing for the sought-after bonefish
The Archipelago offers some excellent scuba diving on day trips from Vilanculos - snorkelers are also welcome. The archipelago's coral reefs and clear waters offer some of the best diving in the world, dive sites are uncrowded and marine life is varied and abundant.
With sites at a depth of 12 to 30m and visibility up to 40m you will discover protected reefs teeming with dolphin, hump back whales, whale sharks, sharks, manta and spotted eagle rays, green and turtles.
Vilanculos is accessible by all vehicles (you don't need a 4x4) and it has its own airport, operating direct flights to South Africa on a daily basis. Its also possible to fly directly from Maputo.
