FISHING IN THE BAZARUNTO ARCHIPELAGO

General info
The Bazaruto Archipelago is a unique area with a large variety of fish species and world famous for its Black Marlin. The fishing in this area is certainly interesting for various types of anglers: from the ‘avid fly fisher’ to the ‘spinning specialist’ and the ‘big game angler’. While fishing in the shallow waters around the many reefs, it is not uncommon to catch more than 10 different types of fish in one day.

Fish to be caught
Because of a distinct change of water temperature, the area attracts both winter- and summer fish. In the summer months there are the Giant- and other Trevallies, like golden Kingfish, Brassy Jacks and other Big eye Carangidae. They have been landed and released in excess of 35 kg’s! Tuna fish such as Skipjack, Kawakawa, Frigate (Thazard) and Yellowfin can be caught from September to December and in May. In December most of the Dorado (Dolphin fish) can be caught. Sailfish is abundant from April to July and again from September to January. You will find King Mackerel, Pompano Queenfish Mackerel, Bonitos and many species of reef fish at any time of the year.

Catch and release
Most of our fishing is done on a ‘catch and release’ basis with emphasis on the release and many fish are tagged.

Boats & fishing guides
We use two boats of 17ft with twin 40hp outboards and a 22 ft V Cat with twin 60hp outboards; they are in excellent condition. With these boats we are able to do all kinds of fishing, including Sailfish and Marlin. For comfort we advise you to go with two (17ft) or three (22 ft) anglers at the time. We work together with experienced (fly) fishing guides.

Salt water fly fishing
All fish mentioned above can be caught on the following gear:
Big game, like Sailfish are caught with the Clouser minnow pattern tied on hooks, ranging from 1/0-8/0 with rods from 10wt to 15wt.
For smaller fish the use of an 8 to 9wt rod and small flies such as Charlie’s and Gotcha’s, with an intermediate line have proved to be very success full. All fish are teased to the boat with hook-less teasers and a cast is made with the boat in neutral.

Spinning
It is great fun to catch King Mackerel, Ignobilis, Blue Fin spotted Jacks and others with surface lures on light and heavy tackle. Fish, like Grouper, Snapper, Queenfish Mackerel, Jobfish and many other reef species are to be caught with metal spoons, jigs or baits, mostly in depths up to 60 meters. Good colors to use all year round are chartreuse and white, red and white, yellow, blue and white and gray, rose and white. Wire is a must in the deep water as there are toothy fishes of all sizes. For more information about the fishing gear, we can send you a detailed list. Please contact us.

SNORKELLING AND DIVING

Snorkelling
Close to the lodge we have some beautiful reefs for snorkelling and underwater photography. With our boats we can reach them in 30 minutes. The diversity of the coral and the reef life is amazing to see. Swimming in this beautiful underwater world gives you an experience you will never forget. It will be nice to combine the snorkelling with a visit to an island to make a short walk to the highest dunes of the Indian Ocean and enjoy a spectacular view on the Archipelago.
During the afternoon we can have a nice picnic lunch and on one of the beautiful beaches.

Diving
With the possibility of swimming amongst Turtles, Manta Rays, large groups of reef fish, sometimes a Whale shark or even the rare Dugong, diving can be spectacular! From August until October you can see and hear the Humpback Whales.
There are several reefs to visit. The most famous are close to our lodge. To reach others we first have to drive 30 minutes with the car. The best season for diving is from April to December. For the weather and water temperature see the information under climate.
In diving we work together with a Padi diving school. They guide the dives and/or provide us with the diving equipment. If you are interested, please contact us for more information.

WHALE WATCHING

From June to October Humpback whales and their calves come up from Antarctica to mate and give birth in the Mozambique Channel. The water temperature, the current and the food around the Bazaruto Archipelago is excellent for feeding and resting with their calves. The Humpback whales belong to the family of the Rorquals. An adult whale can measure up to 14 or 15 meters and weigh between 25 and 40 tons. At birth a calf is about 4 meters long and weighs up to a ton. As they are slow swimmers, they are easily approached. Ideal for whale watching but also for whalers. Therefore the International Whaling Commission gave them worldwide protection status in 1996.

Spectacular to watch and to hear!
The acrobatics and blowhole spraying of the humpbacks are spectacular to watch. They can throw themselves completely out of the water, swim on their backs with both flippers in the air and slap on the surface with their huge tail and flippers. Perhaps the most beautiful experience is to hear the singing. They sing long complex songs, unique to particular populations and particular regions.
With our boats we can reach the whales within 40 minutes from the lodge. During the tour you will also have the opportunity to see other marine life. With just a bit of luck you will encounter whale sharks, dolphins, turtles, manta rays and even the rare Dugong.
It will be nice to combine this trip with snorkeling or a visit to one of the islands.

HIKING AND BIRD WATCHING

Preparing our walks, we spoke with Mozambican ‘officials’ responsible for the area and the chiefs of the villages; we explained our purpose and asked permission to hike with tourists through their bush. This mutual respect gave both parties a lot of joy and they showed us hidden beauty spots. It gives these activities a special character. What to see!

• Amazing bird life: more than 200 species can be spotted
  
• A great variety of flora: beautiful and special trees (like the baobab), exotic flowers,
  colored insects and butterflies
  
• Swamps and lagoon areas, huge white sand dunes and stunning beaches
  
• Small animals: reptiles living around the lagoons, iguanas, small species of antelopes, bush cats,
  guinea fowls, rats, snakes and a lot of other ‘creepy-crawlies’. You will find their tracks everywhere
  
• Bush villages: Mozambicans living in their own traditional environment

A TRIP IN A DHOW

"Dhow" is the name of an authentic kind of hand made wooden sailboat, used for fishing and transport. Vilanculos is traditionally a fishing village and the Dhow is extremely important for the community since most people, living in and around the Bazaruto Archipelago, depend on it.

The Dhow trip offers you the opportunity to experience the daily life of a fisherman. It is a quiet and very relaxing activity. The low speed of the Dhow will optimize the chance to spot dolphins, manta rays, turtles and even the rare dugong. We work together with an experienced local sailor, who has a large and safe Dhow, equipped with an outboard engine, used in case of windfall.
It is possible to combine this trip with snorkeling on one of the reefs. The diversity of the colorful coral and the reef life is amazing to see. Swimming in this beautiful underwater world gives you an experience you will never forget. During the afternoon we will have a nice lunch (a picnic), and there is ample opportunity to take a nap under the trees on the Island beach.