The most recent addition to Azura’s collection of opulent sanctuaries in Mozambique located on the southwest coast of Benguerra Island in the pristine Bazaruto Archipelago and offers kilometers of exquisite white sand and warm, blue waters. It truly is the idyllic island getaway of your dreams.
The one-kilometer-long Azura Marlin Beach is located in the Bazaruto Archipelago Marine National Park, which African Parks has recently taken over conservation management of. It is situated high up on the sand dunes and offers stunning ocean views of the setting sun. For those who can leave the comfort of their daybed to enjoy the wide range of adventures on offer, its island position puts it near to the reefs and picnic areas just off Benguerra Island. It will be the third property in Azura’s portfolio in Mozambique, with a little more contemporary Mozambican aesthetic and a laid-back, informal ambiance.
Only 10 villas are nestled along one of the world’s last undiscovered stretches of beach, offering all the creature comforts you could ask for, including butler-hosts from Mozambique to tend to your every need, fresh fish and seafood from the ocean, a fantastic range of experiences, and an African Massage Pavilion for relaxation, all at a community-based project where the local islanders benefit as much as you do. You may find the haven of paradise at Azura Marlin Beach.
Within a short, easy boat ride from the resort, Azura Marlin Beach offers visitors a wide selection of experiences and activities, including deep-sea fishing, sailing in traditional Dhows, picnicking on isolated sandbars, and snorkeling and diving on the famous Two-Mile Reef (tag and release). The original hotel, which was constructed on this property by one of Mozambique’s finest marlin anglers, gave rise to the moniker Marlin Beach. Weather, tides, staff and boat availability, as well as regional laws, all affect activities.
The blue seas of the Indian Ocean may be seen from the public areas at Azura Marlin Beach. For your enjoyment and relaxation, the hotel designed a number of various locations, ranging from the lively lounge bar to large outdoor spaces with cozy four poster daybeds. The main restaurant serves breakfast, supper, and typically lunch near the glittering pool area so that visitors can take advantage of the warm weather. Most of the guests consider the weekly beach BBQ and beach dinners with their toes in the sand to be the high points of their stay. Wi-Fi internet access, a trading area with clothing and mementos, and the PADI 5 Star dive center with the best Scubapro gear are all available.
Benguerra Island’s Azura Marlin Beach enjoys hot, sunny weather all year round. Rarely do temperatures drop below 20 degrees; instead, they typically range from the upper 20s to the low 30s Celsius. The water’s temperature, which ranges from 24 to 30 degrees plus, is pleasantly warm. There can be months of the year when there is no rain at all on Benguerra Island, which typically receives a fraction as much rain as the mainland does on average. This challenges our native gardens and water supply while also making our landscape incredibly arid, but it usually makes guests very happy!
The villas combine traditional African prints with contemporary styling. Each of the 10 villas has a view of the bay and the Indian Ocean without obstruction. A refuge of peace and tranquility, just a few steps from the resort’s namesake beach’s stunning white sands, with the warm sea beckoning beyond.
Magnificent Elevated Views
Six beach villas (each 100m2) are available at Azura Marlin Beach. They are all air-conditioned, have a view of the ocean, and are close to the shore. They are spacious, light, and offer a sitting space in addition to a king-size or double bed with romantic netting. You may wash off the sand from the beach in the bathroom’s indoor and outdoor showers before watching a Mozambican sunset from your terrace.
| Facilities & Amenities | ||
|
|
|
Pure Luxury
The Beach Villas Grande are identical to the Beach Villas in terms of amenities, but are larger at 132m2, providing additional room for leisure, a minibar, a TV, and ample space for up to 2 children to share the sitting area. They are located much nearer to the hotel’s main area.
| Facilities & Amenities | ||
|
|
|
Fantastic for Families
The two en-suite bedrooms in Villa Vista (380m2), has the same amenities as the Beach Villas, but can house up to 4 people. Along with a private pool and a huge inside entertainment room with a bar, eating area, and lounge with a TV, there is also a sizable outdoor entertainment area.
| Facilities & Amenities | ||
|
|
|
There are many options for kids and teenagers to do at Azura when they come to visit. Kids can take part in a variety of activities that are offered and supervised by Azura’s guides, hosts, and activity coordinators. Children can take pleasure in viewing fascinating marine life both above and below the surface of the water, look for pansy shells on an island that appears at low tide, engage in cultural interactions, climb dunes, keep an eye out for crocodiles (from a safe distance), sample the island’s fruits, and pick up a few new skills.
Some of the best bill, reef, and large game fishing in the Indian Ocean can be found in the Bazaruto Archipelago. Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna/Bonito, King/Queen Mackerel, Prodigal Son, Wahoo, Dorado, and Barracuda are some of the species. The regional specialty, Giant Trevally (GT), frequently weighs more than 25 kg. Azura offers services for both novice and seasoned fisherman and women, and it strictly adheres to the tag-and-release method for endangered species. With one of Azura’s guides or an independant guide who offers fly fishing, jigging, and popping, you can go trolling, popping, or jigging. Bookings for fishing should be made well in advance due to its high popularity.
For horse enthusiasts, riding the horses stationed on Benguerra Island near the water’s edge and then returning along some of the island’s tracks and trails is an unforgettable experience. After the ride, you have the option of swimming with the horses. There are 9 horses available for riders of different skill levels, starting with absolute beginners. Please be aware that Mozambique Horse Safaris, a third party company, is responsible for conducting this activity.
Africa as a whole is obsessed with soccer. There’s an Island League here on Benguerra Island, which consists of teams from the lodges and local island teams. The local community considers this to be a very significant event, and much pride is at stake. Come see one of Azura’s soccer team’s weekend games, typically on a Sunday afternoon. A refreshments tent will be set up, and you can even participate in the game if you want to! The whole family will enjoy it immensely.
The Scubapro equipment at Azura’s 5 Star PADI Dive Center is of the highest caliber. Before heading to the reefs, you can practice snorkeling in our practice pool or brush up on your diving techniques. Divers of all skill levels can find a variety of depths and reef morphology in the Bazaruto Archipelago. We have a PADI Instructor and a wide selection of courses for instruction. Before your vacation, we strongly advise that you finish the theory component of your course at home. By doing this, you’ll be prepared to begin diving as soon as you get there and get to spend more time discovering the island’s surrounding seas. Additionally, Azura is a DAN (Divers Alert Network) Business Member, giving all divers taking introductory courses access to fundamental dive insurance protection.
On the East Coast of Africa, the marine life and corals are frequently said to as the best. Loggerhead, green, and hawksbill turtles, reef sharks, stingrays, devil rays, moray eels, as well as a variety of reef fish are frequently seen, including grouper, batfish, surgeons, puffers, moorish idols, parrot fish, clown fish, trigger fish, and chocolate dip fish. Seasonal visitors include whale sharks, manta rays, and humpback whales and their calves. There are many of hard and soft corals, as well as Christmas tree anemones and nudibranchs for divers who enjoy finding the smaller creatures.
Explore the lovely Southpoint Beach. Our guides will inform you along the way about the island’s vegetation, fauna, geomorphology, and native culture. The eastern side of Southpoint, the island’s southernmost point, faces the Mozambique Channel and the Indian Ocean with crashing waves, while the western side has calmer, more tranquil waters. The location is striking especially with the driftwood tree trunks that are peacefully on the pristine white sand. Arrive at the swimming and beach picnic location after walking through the miniature sand dunes. A lovely picnic lunch will be set up for you, complete with drinks and shelter.
Go on an island excursion by a 4×4 game viewer! As you go across the island’s many villages, you may run into some of our native island populations. Wild fruits from local trees are available for tasting along the way. Look out for the wide diversity of insects, birds, and reptiles, some of which are unique to this area. The enormous Nile crocodiles that reside in the three lakes can also be seen. You can stroll along the beach on the “Wild Side,” where the Mozambique Channel and the Indian Ocean bring powerful winds and waves ashore. For breathtaking views of Benguerra Island, take a short easy hike up Red Dune.
Welcome to Azura’s hallmark activity: a quick trip to Bazaruto Island where you may climb Bazaruto Dune for unparalleled 360-degree views of the Archipelago. From here, we frequently travel to Two Mile Reef, where we can view a variety of turtle species as well as humpback whales on their yearly migration. The reef is home to hundreds of species of tropical fish, coral, rays, and crustaceans. Dolphin sightings are frequent, and if you’re lucky, the dugong—a species of gentle giant that is critically endangered—may appear. Arrive at North Point for a mouthwatering picnic and a swim in the cool, clear waters after snorkeling.
Take a speedboat from Azura to Paradise Island in the far north of the Bazaruto Archipelago. The trip takes an hour. On the journey, keep an eye out for dugongs and dolphins. This island, which was given the name Paradise Island because of its stunning white beaches and excellent snorkeling, is home to a decrepit hotel from the time of Portuguese domination. Your guide will tell you the historical tales as they point out the interesting remnants of the ancient hotel and church. After that, have a picnic lunch on a white beach that is uninhabited. The snorkeling is fantastic but different from the reefs closer to Azura, so slow down a bit for a few hours.
Azura Staff are talented individuals. A private supper will be prepared by your host in front of your villa on the beach, with candles placed around it. You can also decide to eat this candle-lit dinner on your deck or in your sala. If you would rather have it done another day, please let your host know. They typically like to do it on visitors’ last night at Azura. We provide the first of these complimentary as part of your stay, but you may upgrade to a seafood BBQ for a nominal surcharge and we’ll prepare fresh fish in front of you while you relax under African skies!
Take a dhow cruise at dusk or join one of our rangers on a dune hike. Island-hop and stop for lunch at Pansy Island, or have a picnic lunch delivered to the sandpit at Benguerra North point. Alternately, head out on a guided snorkeling expedition or, during the right season, go whale watching. The availability of the boat, Land Rover, and guides, as well as the weather and tidal conditions, will all influence the activities.
To create an itinerary just for you based on your travel wishes, get in touch with one of our Africa Safaris Specialists.
