Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Bazaruto Archipelago
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Bazaruto Archipelago
The Bazaruto Archipelago has clear, turquoise waters filled with colourful fish, and offers
opportunities for diving, snorkelling and birding. It makes a fine upmarket holiday destin-
ation if you're looking for the quintessential Indian Ocean getaway.
The archipelago consists of five main islands: Bazaruto, Benguera (also spelled
Benguerra, and formerly known as Santo António), Magaruque (Santa Isabel), Santa
Carolina (Paradise Island or Ilha do Paraíso) and tiny Bangué. Until about 10,000 years
ago - relatively recent in geological terms - the larger islands were connected to the main-
land at the tip of São Sebastião peninsula. The small population of Nile crocodiles that
laze in the sun in remote corners of both Bazaruto and Benguera islands is evidence of
this earlier link.
Since 1971 much of the archipelago has been protected as
Bazaruto National Park
(Parque Nacional de Bazaruto; adult/child Mtc200/100)
. In late 2002 the park boundar-
ies were extended southward to encompass all of the islands, bringing the area under pro-
tection to about 1400 sq km. Thanks to this protected status, and to the archipelago's relat-
ive isolation from the ravages of war on the mainland, nature bursts forth here in full
force. You'll see dozens of bird species, including fish eagles and pink flamingos. There
are also red duikers, bushbucks and, especially on Benguera, Nile crocodiles. Dolphins
swim through the clear waters, along with 2000 types of fish, plus loggerhead, leatherback
and green turtles. Most intriguing are the elusive dugongs, who spend their days foraging
among sea-grass meadows around the archipelago. As a backdrop to all this are excel-
lently preserved coral formations, with up to 100 species of hard coral and over two dozen
soft coral species identified so far.
