The Bazaruto Archipelago is Mozambique at its most remote and most dazzling: a string of sand-dune islands ringed by sandbanks and coral, with some of the Indian Ocean's clearest water. Getting here takes effort – via the mainland town of Vilankulo – but the reward is a barefoot, end-of-the-earth kind of luxury.
- Language
- Portuguese official
- some English at resorts
- Currency
- Mozambican metical (MZN)
- USD often accepted at resorts
- Power
- 220V, Type C/F and M plugs – bring a universal adapter
- Driving
- On the left
- Main airport
- Vilankulo (VNX)
- via Maputo, Joburg or charter
Where Mozambique splits
The resort areas are not interchangeable. What each one is actually for.
When to go to Mozambique
Climate normals for Bazaruto / Vilanculos coast, and our verdict on each month.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average daily high | 88 degrees Fahrenheit | 88 degrees Fahrenheit | 87 degrees Fahrenheit | 84 degrees Fahrenheit | 81 degrees Fahrenheit | 78 degrees Fahrenheit | 78 degrees Fahrenheit | 80 degrees Fahrenheit | 83 degrees Fahrenheit | 85 degrees Fahrenheit | 87 degrees Fahrenheit | 88 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Rainfall | 5.5″ | 5″ | 3.5″ | 1.5″ | 1″ | 0.7″ | 0.5″ | 0.4″ | 0.6″ | 1.2″ | 2.5″ | 4.5″ |
| Verdict | Off-peak | Off-peak | Shoulder | Shoulder | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Shoulder | Off-peak |
Sweet spot. May–October; rainy season runs December–March.
Storm risk. Indian Ocean cyclone season is November–April and Mozambique's coast does take occasional hits, so favor the dry season.
Figures are long-term climate normals for Bazaruto / Vilanculos coast, good for planning. They are not a forecast.
Do you need a passport or visa for Mozambique?
U.S. citizens need a visa. Mozambique launched a new electronic platform in early 2026: you can apply online for an ETA/eVisa ahead of time, or in many cases pay on arrival – fees run roughly $10 for the ETA on arrival up to around $50, depending on type.
Carry your passport (valid six months), return ticket and accommodation details. On-arrival processing can be inconsistent, so applying online first is smoother – verify current rules on travel.state.gov.
Is Mozambique safe?
Mozambique carries a country-wide U.S. travel advisory (the current level is shown at the top of this guide). Crucially, the 'do not travel' warnings apply only to the far-northern provinces – Cabo Delgado, the Niassa reserve and northern Nampula – where there's an insurgency.
The Bazaruto Archipelago and Vilankulo sit in the far south, roughly a thousand miles from that conflict, and are not part of those warnings. Use normal precautions and confirm details on travel.state.gov.
Currency and tipping
The currency is the Mozambican metical. Remote island resorts often quote and accept U.S. dollars or South African rand; cards may not work, so bring enough cash for tips and extras.
Tipping is appreciated: around 10% in restaurants where no service charge applies, and small notes for boat crew, guides and housekeeping.
When to visit
Mozambique is in the southern hemisphere, so winter is the dry, mild and ideal window – roughly May to October, with sunny skies and great visibility for diving.
The wetter, hotter summer (November to April) falls within the cyclone season, so storms and rain are more likely. Diving the archipelago is best in the dry months.
Getting there & around
Reaching Bazaruto means flying into Vilankulo (VNX) – typically via Maputo or Johannesburg, sometimes by charter – then a boat or short flight out to your island lodge.
It's a long, multi-leg journey, so build in buffer time. Once at the resort, you're on island time; Mozambique drives on the left, but you won't be doing much of it.
What to do beyond the resort
This is a water-first destination: snorkel and dive the reefs, look for dugongs in the marine park, and take a dhow trip across the sandbanks at low tide. Deep-sea fishing is world-class.
Closer in, climb the giant dunes on Bazaruto Island, ride horses on the beach, and visit a local village from Vilankulo. Whale and whale-shark sightings are seasonal highlights.
Good to know
Power is 220V; plugs vary (Type C/F and the South-African Type M), so a universal adapter is essential. Malaria is present – take prophylaxis and pack repellent.
Drink bottled or filtered water, bring reef-safe sunscreen, and a yellow fever certificate is required if you're arriving from a risk country. A little Portuguese goes a long way.
Getting to Mozambique
Indicative round-trip fares into Vilankulo (VNX) from the major US gateways, cheapest first. Tap through for live prices and dates.
| From | Airport | Round trip |
|---|---|---|
| New York | JFK | $1942Cheapest |
| Miami | MIA | $2099 |
| Los Angeles | LAX | $2202 |
| Chicago | ORD | $2326 |
| Dallas | DFW | $2436 |
| Atlanta | ATL | $2472 |
| Newark | EWR | $2509 |
| Boston | BOS | $2769 |
Where the Mozambique resorts are
3 resorts mapped stars are five-star properties
The best all-inclusive resorts in Mozambique
The Mozambique properties we would actually book.
Where to stay in Mozambique
The resort areas we cover, and which properties sit in each.
Bazaruto Archipelago
2Inhambane Province
1Resort chains in Mozambique
The brands operating here. The ones we rank in full link through to the chain, what its plan really covers, and every resort of theirs we track.
Mozambique, head to head
Price, flights, sand, food and safety, compared honestly.
Mozambique vs JamaicaMexicoDominican RepublicMaldivesGreeceSpainTurks & CaicosArubaBarbadosSt. LuciaItalyPortugalTurkeyAntiguaCuraçaoBrazilCosta RicaPhilippinesFrench PolynesiaMoroccoEgyptSouth AfricaMauritiusKenyaTanzaniaThailandIndonesiaMalaysiaPunta CanaCancúnRiviera MayaLos CabosPuerto VallartaMontego BayNegrilOcho RiosGuanacasteCreteBahiaBora BoraMalé AtollsRodney BayBarbados South CoastBarbados West CoastViti LevuVanua LevuCanary IslandsBalearic IslandsCosta del SolSharm el-SheikhHurghada & the Red Sea CoastBelekRhodesLara & AntalyaMaldives Outer AtollsCorfuHalkidikiKosSoufrière & South St. LuciaGrenadaFijiCroatiaU.S. Virgin IslandsSri LankaSeychellesBahamasChileArgentinaUnited States
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Mozambique?
Yes. A new electronic platform launched in early 2026 – apply online for an ETA/eVisa ahead, or pay on arrival in many cases. Fees range from about $10 (ETA on arrival) up to around $50; check travel.state.gov.
Is the Bazaruto Archipelago safe?
Mozambique carries a country-wide advisory, but the 'do not travel' areas are only the far-northern provinces (Cabo Delgado, Niassa, northern Nampula). Bazaruto and Vilankulo are in the far south, far from that – use normal precautions and check the current level at travel.state.gov.
What currency does Mozambique use?
The metical, but remote island resorts often accept U.S. dollars or South African rand. Cards may not work, so bring cash for tips and extras.
Should I tip in Mozambique?
Yes – about 10% in restaurants without a service charge, plus small notes for boat crew, dive guides and housekeeping.
When is the best time to visit?
May to October – the dry, mild southern-hemisphere winter, with the clearest water for diving. November to April is hotter, wetter and within the cyclone season.
How do I get to Bazaruto?
Fly into Vilankulo (VNX), usually via Maputo or Johannesburg, then take a boat or short flight to your island lodge. Allow buffer time for the multi-leg trip.