The Bazaruto Archipelago in Mozambique is often compared to the Azores or Canary Islands thanks to its palm-dotted beaches stretching for miles and beautiful blue seas
The Bazaruto Archipelago in Mozambique, although less well-known than the likes of the Azores or Canary Islands, boasts stunning palm-lined beaches and clear blue seas resembling those holiday hotspots.
While European gems such as the Azores and Canaries are swamped by millions of tourists yearly, Bazaruto is steadily building its presence on the tourist map, drawing an increasing number of visitors despite its relatively lower profile and smaller local population, who largely depend on resource-based livelihoods like fishing.
Chasing the tourist dollar, officials have been working to bolster Bazaruto’s allure, with aspirations of hitting a peak of 150,000 tourists within a year.
The Bazaruto Archipelago National Park had its eyes set on a significant bump in visitor numbers for 2017, aiming for hotels to reach near-full capacity, especially during the month of December which was forecasted to attract around 5,000 guests, bringing in substantial revenue from entrance fees alone.
With its rising popularity, Bazaruto was tagged as “one of the most sought-after” destinations in Southern Mozambique, with park authorities at the time hoping that the influx of December visitors would generate up to two million meticais (£24,000) just from entry charges.
In 2017, the area was a popular destination for South African, British and American tourists. However, it’s unclear how many people visit each year in the post-pandemic world.
The majority of visitors to the island chain are looking for an experience similar to what they might find in Europe, with sunbathing on local beaches and snorkelling being among the top activities, reports the Express.
Despite being home to numerous luxury hotels, the local population remains relatively impoverished. As of 2024, the archipelago is home to 6,500 residents spread across seven communities on three inhabited islands.
Food security is a significant issue for the local islanders who rely heavily on local resources, with up to 70 per cent relying on small-scale fishing for their livelihood.