Imagine an unspoilt island within a National Park, deserted beaches of pure white sand, sparkling turquoise seas crisscrossed by local dhows plying their trade, swaying palms, sunny days and starry nights… and you have Azura Benguerra. Azura Benguerra was built entirely by hand by the local community and is operated in partnership with them, it has just 20 villas each with a Private Mozambican host service for the duration of the guests stay.
 

The handbuilt villas blend modern chic with all that is traditional in Mozambique. They offer our discerning guests every comfort, with handcrafted king size beds, feature bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers, air-conditioning, daybeds, lounging decks and salas right on the beach. They were designed for the ultimate getaway in this magnificent beach paradise. Experience magnificent reefs for diving and snorkelling, and turtles that nest on the island’s outer shores.

Azura Benguerra focus on fresh local produce such as fish and seafood with irresistible signature dishes. Dining locations range from informal ‘foot in the sand’ dining to feasting in the comfort and intimacy of your own villa as well as dinners in the Jellyfish restaurant. There is a special, more formal, seven course tasting menu at least once a week as well as a Mozambican evening. For the wine connoisseur, the wine cellar is always stocked with fine wines from the owner’s vineyards, flown in from France’s Loire Valley.

Peri-Peri Beach Club encourages guests to spend days lounging at the beach or pool enjoying their favourite Mozambican cuisine, magnums of French Rosé wine, or creating their own cocktails through the specially designed mixology menu. The beach club and bar incorporates a range of activities including an ocean facing swimming pool, personal grills where guests can sizzle their own seafood and on selected nights an open-air cinema. Other activities that are already on offer such as Paddle-Boarding can also be arranged from the bar. The beach club also has a Spa pavilion for African themed massages. Azura Peri-Peri Beach celebrates Mozambique’s Portuguese history, and Portuguese influences can be seen in both the décor and on the menu.

Diving
The reefs in the Bazaruto Archipelago are abundant with a variety of fish and corals, and offer a range of depths and reef topography to suit beginner and experienced divers and snorkellers alike. Azura is positioned closest to the reefs and hence access is quick and easy. Our marine life and corals are often cited as the best off the East Coast of Africa. Azura has a PADI 5 Star Dive Centre with new top of the range Scubapro equipment. The training pool is perfect for refreshing your diving skills or even trying out snorkelling before you head off to the reefs, and for training they offer a full range of courses and have a PADI Instructor.

Guided Island Hopping
This is a fantastic day out and Azura’s signature activity! Snorkelling at Two Mile Reef, where there are hundreds of species of tropical fish, rays, invertebrates, the possibility of Sea Turtles, and Dolphins, humpback whales in season and possibly a dugong... After snorkelling, arrive at Pansy Island for a tantalising picnic lunch. This Pansy Island is an isolated sand-bar nestled between Bazaruto Island and the Mozambique Channel. Enjoy Pansy Island at your own leisure, bask in the sun, laze around on cushions and beanbags, and swim in the cool clear deep waters. From here it’s as short hop to Bazaruto Island, where we hike up Bazaruto Dune. An easy climb to the top offers unsurpassed 360 degree panoramic views of the Bazaruto Archipelago reef-system. For photography enthusiasts, this location is a must!

Fishing
The Bazaruto Archipelago has some of the best big game, reef and bill fishing in the Indian Ocean. Species include: Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna/Bonito, King/Queen Mackerel, Prodigal Son, Wahoo, Dorado, and Barracuda. Giant Trevally (GT’s), the local speciality, often top the scales above 25kg. Azura caters for beginner and experienced fishermen/women alike, and operates a strict tag and release policy on protected species. You can choose to go trawling with our local guides, or we can bring in the specialist fishing guides available in the area, who offer saltwater fly fishing, jigging for Giant Trevally, and other specialist techniques.

Island Drive
We leave Azura on Game Drive vehicles toward Red Dune and Crocodile Lakes. En-route we will pass through the Island’s many villages where you have the chance to meet the local people of the local communities. The Island’s lifestyle, history and way of life will be explained to you. If you would like to we will visit Benguerra’s School (built by Azura’s Rainbow Fund charity, all donations are appreciated), and you may then have the unique opportunity to see the local children attend class, meet the teachers, and even the school’s Headmaster. If the drive is conducted on Sunday morning, the Guides may take you briefly to a village church service, which is attended by many of the local islanders.

Dhow Cruise
a Sunset dhow cruise is a beautiful ending to a day on the water, with views over the archipelago and a chance to experience the local mode of water transport.

Horse Riding
For those who like to ride, a trek along the water’s edge on the horses based on Benguerra Island and back along some of the island’s tracks and trails is an experience never to forget! Arranged through Mozambique Horse Safaris, there are 9 horses available to suit all levels, from complete beginner upwards.

Paddle Boards
Go on a self-guided adventure! Take a paddle board and explore the pristine waters off the Bazaruto Archipelago and ride along with the dhows. This is the best way to have fun while around the Island.