Surrounded by the untouched beauty of the Bazaruto Archipelago, Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort, off the coast of Mozambique, is an idyllic retreat on a remote desert island. The island features huge sand dunes, crocodile-filled lakes, a local population of dugongs, and rich marine life in its seas, all located within a protected national park.
Location
Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort is located on the largest island in the Bazaruto Archipelago, about 30 kilometers off the coast of Mozambique. Getting there is part of the adventure. Guests arrive either by a scenic 45-minute boat transfer or a thrilling 15-minute helicopter ride from Vilanculos Airport (VNK). With direct flights from Kruger Airport (MQP), it’s easy to pair a stay here with a South African safari.
The resort arranges transfers from VNK to Vilanculos Beach Lodge, where staff will help load your luggage onto the boat. Since there are no docking pontoons at either end, you’ll need to wade out barefoot from the beach to board—so expect to get your feet wet! Arrival at the island is just as memorable: guests wade through the shallows once more, where they’re greeted by singing, dancing staff celebrating their arrival in true island spirit. While arriving by plane is also an option, the boat journey is such a unique and fun part of the experience, it’s highly recommended.
Style & Character
Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort combines rustic Mozambican charm with contemporary luxury. The architecture incorporates locally sourced reeds, thatch, and wood, creating an authentic yet refined aesthetic.
Raised wooden pathways connect various bits of he resort, including the rooms to the reception and restaurant areas. Golfinho Restaurant and Bar is centrally located within these intertwining walkways, and the reception and pool are also located here.
Service & Facilities
The resort offers an impressive range of facilities, including three pools. A dedicated family pool is hidden some way from the main resort pool, ensuring fun for all ages, while an adults-only swim-up pool bar provides a more serene escape. The main pool tends to be the busiest due to its convenience. There’s also a Kids Club located above the family pool and a large gym.
The Anantara Spa is a sanctuary of relaxation, featuring signature treatments, hydrotherapy, and breathtaking ocean views. Adventure seekers can enjoy various activities, from horse riding along the shore to exhilarating 4×4 island explorations.
Water sports abound, with options including snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and deep-sea fishing. The resort’s curated experiences, such as horse riding, dune surfing, dhow boat cruises, and sunset dune excursions, add an extra layer of excitement.
Rooms
The 44 beach and pool villas offer generous spaces, ranging from 90 to 330 m². Designed with natural materials and beautifully modern driftwood style furnishings, each villa provides modern comforts such as air-conditioned lounges, spacious dressing areas, and elegant bathrooms with sunken bathtubs and outdoor rain showers.
Rooms are spacious with huge decks; in many, the bathtub has a sea view across the beach. An empty beach and ancient trees edge the beach villas. Each villa has loungers and a thatched sunshade; from the loungers, you can walk straight into the clear blue sea.
The different villa categories cater to diverse preferences, from intimate beachfront retreats to expansive family-friendly residences. For the ultimate in exclusivity, the Two Bedroom Anantara Pool Villa boasts a private driveway, a Jacuzzi, and panoramic ocean vistas.
Food & Drink
Dining at Anantara Bazaruto is a celebration of Mozambique’s rich culinary heritage, enhanced by international influences. Guests begin their day at Golfinho, where breakfast is served with picturesque bay views. The seating is mainly alfresco, and the food is set out as a hot and cold buffet, with loads of fruit, cereals, milk, and breads. Hot dishes included scrambled eggs, baked beans, oatmeal, mushrooms, potatoes, Sausages, bacon, and hashbrowns. A live chef mans an egg and pancake station for à la carte omelets and pancakes.
All of this breakfast feast is complimentary if you book your stay here via our luxury travel concierge. We can also get you prioritized room upgrades, resort credit, and more.
Themed dinner nights introduce a delectable array of dishes inspired by Portuguese, Mediterranean, and local traditions. Clube Naval, located by the beach, offers a relaxed setting for lunchtime indulgence, with fresh seafood platters and signature peri peri dishes.
Sonhos Pool Bar & Seaside Restaurant provides a vibrant atmosphere. The flavors of Mozambique are paired with expertly crafted cocktails and fine wines from South Africa and Portugal.
For those seeking more intimate dining experiences, In-Villa Dining allows guests to enjoy meals in the comfort of their private verandas. Designer Dining by Anantara takes culinary romance to new heights, offering bespoke menus served in breathtaking locations such as a deserted sandbank or beneath a canopy of stars.
For a hands-on gastronomic journey, Spice Spoons cooking classes introduce guests to traditional Mozambican recipes. They use fresh ingredients harvested from the resort’s vegetable garden.
Conclusion
Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort offers a pristine location, stunning accommodations, world-class dining, and adventurous activities. If you’re on Safari in South Africa and looking for the perfect beach destination nearby, Anantara Bazaruto is the perfect choice.
Copyright Luxury Travel Diary 2014 - 2025. Duplication outside of luxurytraveldiary.com is forbidden.
Image(s) courtesy of Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort.
Note: Benefits & upgrades subject to availability. Benefits offered correct at the time of writing. Terms & conditions apply. Enquire for more information. Benefits offered correct at the time of writing but may be amended at discretion of the vendor. Posts may be sponsored by the proprietor or brand being appraised. All opinions remain our own & are in no way influenced.
