Explore: Bazaruto
General Info
This is an island and not a port. It is long and narrow sandy island lying parallel to the coast about 100nm south of Beira. It is a National Park the main function of which is to protect the rare mammal, the dugong (similar species to the manatee), turtles, dolphins and the fragile eco-system.
Warning Note: Cruisers that had to shelter here en route from Madagascar to SA due to bad weather in 2017/18, reported having unpleasant experiences with the officials, who in some cases seized passports and demanded exorbitant fines/bribes. The general opinion is to seek shelter in the northern anchorages behind the northern tip of Bazaruto, which tend to be safer. This does make the exit a bit longer and is subject to timing your departure with the tides, however, may help avoid corrupt officials.
Position 21° 30.64’S, 035°27.05’E (anchorage near the northern tip of the island).
Clearance
This entire island is a marine reserve and park fees are applicable. You may be approached and asked to pay a Park Fee payable in cash in local currency, US dollar, or SA rand. You should be given a receipt.
The current pay scale PER ENTRY is:
1000 metical / US$14 for a foreign yacht;
500 metical / US$7 for a local yacht; and
400 metical / US$5.50 per passenger.
If you leave Bazaruto and return, you are required to pay again. You can pay in US$ and will be given an official receipt.
There are no clearance facilities on Bazaruto. Prior to arriving at this area, clearance/immigration procedures must be undertaken elsewhere, at which time the skipper/yacht will receive a 30-day cruising license.
There are clearance facilities in Vilankulos. A Visa is required for all non-SADC countries but can be bought at the immigration offices. At the Maritime offices, you will pay navigation fees and be issued a licence to be in the country for 30 days with your boat. These fees are Tonnage related.
Important Note: There have been reports of locals reporting to the authorities in Vilankulos yachts that have not checked in. As a result, yachts were boarded, passports confiscated and exorbitant bribes given.
Last updated March 2018.
Docking
The most useful anchorage is towards the northern end of the island off the west coast at approximately 21°38.9’S, 035°26.1’E.
The bottom is sand and excellent holding in about 8 to 10m.
There are some good reports adjacent from cruisers who have cruised this area.
Here is a link to the Bazaruto National Park website.
Some cruisers report nearby (uninhabited) Santa Carolina Island is quieter than Bazaruto and features an excellent anchorage.
Security
As with everywhere in the world, be sure to secure your outboard and dinghy at all times, particularly at night when it should be lifted and locked. Secure all loose deck gear as well. An Italian yacht had it’s outboard stolen at night here in November 2016. The outboard and dinghy had been lifted overnight, but the outboard was not locked.
Last updated November 2016.
