What it is
A national park archipelago off the mainland town of Vilanculos. Bazaruto and Benguerra are the two large islands, with vegetated dunes and long sandbars that appear and disappear with the tide. The lodges are on the islands and you reach them by boat or helicopter from Vilanculos airport.
Why go
Snorkelling and diving on Two Mile Reef, sailing on a dhow, and the chance of a dugong. This archipelago holds the last viable population in the western Indian Ocean, though seeing one is luck rather than something to plan around. The dunes on Bazaruto Island are big enough to climb for a view over the whole sandbank.
When to go
May to November for the driest weather and the best underwater visibility. Cyclone season runs roughly November to April and storms have hit this stretch of coast directly. The water is warm year round, from about 24C in winter to 29C in summer.
Most people stay 4-5 nights.