The Bazaruto Archipelago : MOZAMBIQUE
Bazaruto Archipelago is a group of islands off the coast of Vilanculos in Mozambique. It consists of five islands: Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque, Santa Carolina and Bangue. The area is now protected as a conservation area and national park, including the coral reefs surrounding the islands, making it the only official marine reserve in the country. The Bazaruto Archipelago consists of five idyllic islands: Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque, Santa Carolina and Bangue. The Archipelago is truly one of the most beautiful destinations on the African continent. The area is now protected as a conservation area and national park, including the coral reefs surrounding the islands, making it the only official marine reserve in the country. The park is one of the largest in the Indian Ocean and a crucial achievement in global marine conservation. A nearly untouched paradise on earth, the archipelago has earned its reputation as the 'Pearl of the Indian Ocean'.
Sand dunes are found throughout the Archipelago and tidal flats and inland saline lakes support a wide variety of seabird species. Coral reefs are also home to thousands of fish and coral species and marine mammal species. The largest dugong population along the eastern African coast can also be found here. Mile after mile of deserted sandy beaches also grace the island. The leeward side of the island chain is surrounded by calm turquoise waters while the windward side offers an even more isolated and untamed seashore with waves constantly pounding the coastline. When sailors first laid eyes on the Bazaruto Archipelago they talked of sand dunes rising out of the sea, isolated by turquoise waters brimming with sea life. Strange saltwater hippos lived on the sandy banks, Nile crocodiles sunbathed under palm trees and eagles flew over their ships, investigating those encroaching on their isolated home. Today the Bazaruto Archipelago, a group of 5 islands just off the Southern Coast of Mozambique is Southern Africas beach idyll; a ridge of picturesque sand dunes rising out of the Indian Ocean, teaming with life. The strange saltwater hippos are East Africas largest population of Dugong or sea cow; a fascinating , lumbering animal closely related to the elephant. The Nile crocodiles no longer have pride of place under all the palm trees but they are still found throughout the islands and the eagles still saw through the air with ospreys and flocks of flamingoes; the diversity of bird life here is truly remarkable, surpassed only by the wealth of life in the sea.
The stunning coral reefs that line the seas off these islands play host to over 2000 species of fish, whales and dolphin with numerous types of coral creating perfection in diving locations, well regarded as some of the best spots in the world. The 5 types of turtles in the Indian Ocean are found here, using miles upon miles of unspoilt beaches as their breeding grounds. Further off the coast, in the deeper channels sailfish and marlin provide for unbelievable deap sea fishing on an almost daily basis. Preserved as a National Park, the entire archipelago is an ecological gem thought to have been separated from the mainland thousands of years ago, preserving their natural beauty simply because of the difficulty in access. Today however all but one of Bazarutos 5 islands are inhabited, hosting first class accommodations, some of which are absolute perfection in beach hideaways. Bazaruto and Benguerra are the largest and where the best accommodations can be found. Bazaruto, at approximately 40kms long, holds some of the finest beaches in the area, miles long and squeaky under foot! There is no doubt that the Bazaruto Archipelago is one of the most beautiful and unspoilt beach locations in the world; her waters offer the best diving along the East African coast. It is easy to see why this beautiful strectch of coast is becoming so well known.
The Bazaruto Archipelago is made up of five islands (in order of size: Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque, Santa Carolina and Bangue). The waters surrounding the islands are home to more than 80 percent of all marine fish families of the Indo-Pacific. Pristine for most of this century, these islands are considered ecological gems. The Archipelago is one of the most beautiful places on the continent, complete with azure waters, sandy beaches, palm trees, pristine coral reefs, plus tropical fish to goggle at and big game fish to catch. The whole area between the mainland and the 150 fathom mark is now protected as a world-class conservation area. The Bazaruto Archipelago is a group of six islands in Mozambique, near the mainland city of Vilankulo. It comprises the islands of Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque, Banque, Santa Carolina (also known as Paradise Island) and Shell. The islands were formed from sand deposited by the Limpopo River, which has since shifted its course. Tourist attractions include sandy beaches, coral reefs, and opportunities for surfing and fishing. The archipelago became a National Park in 1971.
Bazaruto Archipelago is a group of islands off the coast of Vilanculos in Mozambique. It consists of five islands: Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque, Santa Carolina and Bangue. The area is now protected as a conservation area and national park, including the coral reefs surrounding the islands, making it the only official marine reserve in the country. The Bazaruto Archipelago consists of five idyllic islands: Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque, Santa Carolina and Bangue. The Archipelago is truly one of the most beautiful destinations on the African continent. The area is now protected as a conservation area and national park, including the coral reefs surrounding the islands, making it the only official marine reserve in the country. The park is one of the largest in the Indian Ocean and a crucial achievement in global marine conservation. A nearly untouched paradise on earth, the archipelago has earned its reputation as the 'Pearl of the Indian Ocean'.
Sand dunes are found throughout the Archipelago and tidal flats and inland saline lakes support a wide variety of seabird species. Coral reefs are also home to thousands of fish and coral species and marine mammal species. The largest dugong population along the eastern African coast can also be found here. Mile after mile of deserted sandy beaches also grace the island. The leeward side of the island chain is surrounded by calm turquoise waters while the windward side offers an even more isolated and untamed seashore with waves constantly pounding the coastline. When sailors first laid eyes on the Bazaruto Archipelago they talked of sand dunes rising out of the sea, isolated by turquoise waters brimming with sea life. Strange saltwater hippos lived on the sandy banks, Nile crocodiles sunbathed under palm trees and eagles flew over their ships, investigating those encroaching on their isolated home. Today the Bazaruto Archipelago, a group of 5 islands just off the Southern Coast of Mozambique is Southern Africas beach idyll; a ridge of picturesque sand dunes rising out of the Indian Ocean, teaming with life. The strange saltwater hippos are East Africas largest population of Dugong or sea cow; a fascinating , lumbering animal closely related to the elephant. The Nile crocodiles no longer have pride of place under all the palm trees but they are still found throughout the islands and the eagles still saw through the air with ospreys and flocks of flamingoes; the diversity of bird life here is truly remarkable, surpassed only by the wealth of life in the sea.
The stunning coral reefs that line the seas off these islands play host to over 2000 species of fish, whales and dolphin with numerous types of coral creating perfection in diving locations, well regarded as some of the best spots in the world. The 5 types of turtles in the Indian Ocean are found here, using miles upon miles of unspoilt beaches as their breeding grounds. Further off the coast, in the deeper channels sailfish and marlin provide for unbelievable deap sea fishing on an almost daily basis. Preserved as a National Park, the entire archipelago is an ecological gem thought to have been separated from the mainland thousands of years ago, preserving their natural beauty simply because of the difficulty in access. Today however all but one of Bazarutos 5 islands are inhabited, hosting first class accommodations, some of which are absolute perfection in beach hideaways. Bazaruto and Benguerra are the largest and where the best accommodations can be found. Bazaruto, at approximately 40kms long, holds some of the finest beaches in the area, miles long and squeaky under foot! There is no doubt that the Bazaruto Archipelago is one of the most beautiful and unspoilt beach locations in the world; her waters offer the best diving along the East African coast. It is easy to see why this beautiful strectch of coast is becoming so well known.
The Bazaruto Archipelago is made up of five islands (in order of size: Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque, Santa Carolina and Bangue). The waters surrounding the islands are home to more than 80 percent of all marine fish families of the Indo-Pacific. Pristine for most of this century, these islands are considered ecological gems. The Archipelago is one of the most beautiful places on the continent, complete with azure waters, sandy beaches, palm trees, pristine coral reefs, plus tropical fish to goggle at and big game fish to catch. The whole area between the mainland and the 150 fathom mark is now protected as a world-class conservation area. The Bazaruto Archipelago is a group of six islands in Mozambique, near the mainland city of Vilankulo. It comprises the islands of Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque, Banque, Santa Carolina (also known as Paradise Island) and Shell. The islands were formed from sand deposited by the Limpopo River, which has since shifted its course. Tourist attractions include sandy beaches, coral reefs, and opportunities for surfing and fishing. The archipelago became a National Park in 1971.
