Maputo - Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago comprises five islands: Bazaruto, Santa Carolina (also known as Paradise Island), Benguerra, Magaruque and Banque. Bazaruto is the biggest at 37km long and 6km at its widest – and it was there we headed with an aerial hop, skip and a jump.
Three short flights, two aboard an Airlink jet from Pietermaritzburg to Vilanculos via Joburg, then a scenic flip in a Solenta Aviation Cessna to the island airstrip, before the briefest of drives on a brightly painted open bus to Indigo Bay Resort and Spa around 3pm.
The welcome matched the weather. Warm is probably the coolest it gets here at any time of the year. With two rimflow pools fronting this charming, luxurious resort and an inviting, shark-free sea, cooling off was never going to be a problem.
Especially in our huge and fully airconditioned suite, fringed with extra long palm thatch, which had a mini bar and both living and sleeping areas, plus a sunken bath, large indoor and outdoor showers.
The porch steps led to a hammock big enough for two set under the dappled shade of pretty shrubs and trees, with the golden sands and lapping waters of the gently curving bay just a few steps further. A dining deck on my right led to a pool with wet bar (seats in the water).
I opted for straight ahead and a long swim in the clear, shallow waters. Still waist deep close to a kilometre out, I stopped short of some bemused fishermen for a good view of Indigo Bay Resort.
Away to my left were a number of boats and guests trying their hand at stand up paddling, while snorkellers and scuba divers were disembarking in front of Clube Naval, the beachfront dining area alongside another, saltwater, pool.
Ahead of me was the other pool and behind it the main lodge. The beach chalets were hidden in the shrubbery, marked only by their corresponding loungers. The hill behind was dotted with even more exclusive villas, a presidential suite and the large hilltop spa.
Time to mingle. After my swim-and-wade (you’d struggle to drown here), I swopped banter with the charming Narcisio Queha at the guest services desk and accepted the proffered cocktail of the day – Bazaruto Dunes.
Narcisio explained that the massive dunes on the other side of the island were popular, once the heat of the day was past, for dune boarding. Sounded like fun, but we had other things planned that evening – a fantastic buffet and a chance to chat to activities manager Conrad Oosthuizen.
Next morning we were on a boat bound for Paradise Island. In the 1950s a Portuguese man built a huge resort here, complete with a restaurant extending over the rocks and a church. When war broke out, he abandoned the place and 25 years later it makes an interesting backdrop to our snorkelling.
The rare and fabled Dugong is occasionally spotted in these waters, but I was more than delighted with the array of sea life around me. Moray eels, a vast array of fish in riotous colours, psychedelic mollusks, coral and plants, oodles of sea slugs and cucumbers.
Once back onboard, we headed for the island where we worked up an appetite exploring the remarkably intact ruins. The day ended with a beach braai with loads of fresh seafood.
Every day the activities menu included a sunset dhow cruise, diving, dune boarding, horse-riding, deep-sea fishing, kayaking, windsurfing or water skiing, complimentary snorkelling (Paradise Island is extra). On dry land there’s tennis and qolf – a cross between golf and croquet.
With friendly Alfonso our guide we took to the saddle early the next morning to explore a little further. A trot along the beach took us past coral exposed by the low tide, huge shell mounds and wooden boats in varying stages of completion. A turn and steep climb took us into the hinterland where we plodded through a number of dusty villages and farmlands before cantering back to the resort. Some of the 2 700 locals treated guests to dancing.
Saddle sore, I was happy to have a session at the large spa. An hour-long massage restored body and soul.
That night a fabulous dinner, paired with South African wines, almost had me regretting the earlier intake of cashews.
It’s magic! Go if you possibly can.
If You Go...
l At last month’s World Travel Awards Indigo Bay won:
Mozambique’s Leading Resort and Mozambique’s Leading Spa Resort
l Indigo Bay has a Hop To It special (with free island transfers) valid until March 31 2014 (excludes 23 Dec 23 to Jan 5): R35 900 for 2 people in a beach chalet for 5 nights (normally R64 800) R54 900 for a family of 4 in a bay view villa for 5 nights (normally R113 700)
Includes: Return island transfers from Vilanculos to Indigo Bay, accommodation as specified, breakfast, lunch, dinner, local-brand beer and spirits, house wine, teas/coffees, bottled water, non-motorised watersports and a 15-minute Teaser spa treatment.
l Excludes: Flights to Vilanculos, Airport taxes (where applicable), specialised and/or premium brand beverages, room service, laundry, motorised watersports and all activities not specified, gratuity, park fees and any items not stated above.
l T&C apply. E-mail [email protected], visit www.indigobayresort.com or call 011 6580633.
Airlink operates an all-jet service from Pietermaritzburg Airport. For business or leisure in Pinetown, Kloof, Hillcrest, Hilton and the Midlands, it is easily accessible, less congested with easy parking, quick boarding and disembarking.
Airlink operates a direct scheduled air service between Johannesburg and Vilanculos (Mozambique), offering five flights a week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday) and from next year on June 19, Airlink will begin their new Kruger to Vilanculos flights connecting bush with beach fly-in packages.
Book direct on www.flyairlink.com, contact your travel agent, Airlink at Pietermaritzburg Airport on 033 3869286/7 or SAA Central Reservations on 011 9781111.
Airlink was recently awarded six Feather Awards by Airports Company of South Africa for customer service excellence. Spread your wings, fly Airlink. - Sunday Tribune