Azura Marlin Beach
Azura Marlin Beach Is An Exotic Lodge Built Along The Sand Dunes Of Benguerra Island In Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago.
Azura Marlin Beach is an excellent 4 star beach lodge overlooking sand banks and shallow waters on the west coast of Benguerra Island. The lodge is built along a low dune ridge, with all accommodation and central areas having direct access to a wide sandy beach. Re-opened in 2025, the accommodation and central areas have a modern, light and airy beach feel, whilst being very comfortable. Food and service is high quality, yet the property maintains a relaxed and friendly atmosphere – very barefoot in style. The setting is remote and feels quite wild, with a very different vibe from more traditional beach resort locations. Benguerra Island is a place to visit for escapism and marine activities such as fishing, diving and snorkelling.
Rooms
Sitting on the white sand beach, raised on low dunes with views over the bay and the Indian Ocean, accommodation is provided for around 24 guests in 10 sea facing villas. There are six standard Beach Villas, three Beach Villa Grandes and the two bedroomed Villa Vista. Each air-conditioned villa is double or twin bedded with a mosquito net, fan, tea/coffee station, comfortable seating area and en suite bathroom comprising of a double vanity, indoor and outdoor showers and a separate toilet. Each also has their own furnished outdoor deck and dedicated sala on the beach with sun loungers. The Grande Villas are larger in size and may accommodate up to two children sharing the sitting area, plus they have the addition of a mini bar and television. Villa Vista is larger still and with two en suite bedrooms it is a great choice for families or friends travelling together. The Villa Vista has its own bar, dining area and lounge (with television also) plus a substantial furnished deck and private pool.
Central Areas
Communal areas of the hotel include the swimming pool, spa, lounge bar and main restaurant where breakfast and dinner can be enjoyed, whilst lunch tends to be served poolside. Each villa has a dedicated butler who will ensure a tailored stay. Guests can also enjoy use of the Peri Peri Beach Club which is situated close to sister property Azura Benguerra Island
Facilities
Wi-Fi – Yes
Power for Charging – Yes
Swimming Pool – Yes
Area
The Bazaruto Archipelago lies some 10 to 15 kms offshore of Vilanculos in the southern Mozambican province of Inhambane. It consists of five islands, Santa Carolina (also known as Paradise), Bazaruto (the largest by a long way), Benguerra, Margaruque and Bangue and was gazetted as a Marine National Park in 1971. Some 3500 people, mostly involved in fishing, inhabit the islands (supported by a number of freshwater lakes on each island). Both Bazaruto and Benguerra islands have a number of hotels offering exclusive beach getaways. Diving is very good (both the 2 and 5 mile reefs), as is deep-sea fishing, reef and fly fishing, and snorkelling.
Activities
The activities included in your stay are a sunset dhow cruise, and the use of kayaks and paddle boards. A range of additional activities (extra costs apply) are available to explore the beautiful location: on site there is a PADI 5-star scuba dive centre and Azura Marlin Beach now offers the only house reef night dive in the Bazaruto Archipelago (available to experienced divers only – either with 25 logged dives, or included as part of an Adventure Dive certification). Deep sea fishing (species include Black Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna, Bonito, King/Queen Mackeral, Prodigal Son, Wahoo, Dorado, Barracuda and Giant Trevally), island hopping boat trips, snorkelling trips, and island picnics are also offered.
Seasons
The best times to visit the Bazaruto Archipelago are from mid April through to late May, and then from August through to December. June and July are very pleasant but can be a little cool due to the southern Africa winter (average daytime temperatures around 23/24 degrees), whilst the rainy season technically runs from November through to March, with most rainfall falling in January and February which is also the peak cyclone season.
Children of all ages are welcome and a Beach Villa Grande can include extra beds for two children. The Villa Vista is fantastic for families with older children who don’t need internally connecting rooms.
Azura Marlin Beach is committed to local communities and the preservation of the pristine environment in which they operate. The property’s Rainbow Fund supports local and environmental projects including the island clinic and school. The Fund also supports over 20 scholarships for island children to have further education on the mainland. Guests have the option to make a contribution (currently $20 per villa) on departure from the lodge should they wish.
Through the National Park Levy, each guest contributes to conservation within the marine reserve which is managed by African Parks – conservation work centres around positive relationships with local communities, and also patrolling for illegal activities which helps protect Bazaruto’s dugong and turtle population – the Bazaruto Archipelago National park is home to the last-known viable dugong population on the eastern coast of Africa. African Parks has also helped to introduce a detailed code of conduct for wildlife viewing, snorkelling and scuba-diving with over 100 boat skippers from the tourism sector trained on various aspects of best practices.
