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Spot · tier 2 · Mozambique
Bazaruto Island (North/South Point)
Bazaruto is the largest island in the six-island Bazaruto Archipelago, a marine national park protected since 1971 known for towering dunes, coral reefs, dugongs, whale sharks and manta rays. Its North and South Point areas offer dune-backed lagoon and open-channel kiting reached only by boat, dhow or helicopter from Vilanculos, making it a more exclusive, logistically involved add-on to a mainland Vilanculos kite trip.
freeridebig airflat water
Wind
| best months |
|
|---|---|
| season notes | Same SE trade wind season as Vilanculos on the mainland. |
| wind name | SE trade wind |
| direction to shore | cross-shore, varies by which side of the island |
| quality | steady in season |
| typical kite sizes | 9-14m |
Water
| type | mixed |
|---|---|
| temp summer c | 28 |
| temp winter c | 23 |
| wetsuit | boardshorts year-round for most riders |
| tides | large tidal swings expose lagoon flats and channel sandbanks between the island and mainland |
| currents | channel between Bazaruto and the mainland can run strong, especially at mid-tide |
| standing depth | shallow lagoon areas at low tide |
Levels
| beginner | no |
|---|---|
| intermediate | yes |
| advanced | yes |
| notes | Remote, boat-access-only setting with strong currents in the channel favors riders comfortable with open water and self-sufficiency. |
Launch & crowd
| description | Launch from island beaches near North Point or South Point, accessed by boat transfer from Vilanculos; space is generally open and uncrowded. |
|---|---|
| rescue | typically only through the lodge/boat operator arranging the trip |
| busy months |
|
| vibe | exclusive, low-density, lodge-based |
Monthly wind statistics
Station: Vilankulo Airport (windfinder.com, ~30 km) — No windfinder statistics page exists for Bazaruto Dune itself ('no statistical weather data available'). Nearest station with real data is Vilankulo Airport on the mainland, roughly 30 km across the bay from Bazaruto's North/South Point - a meaningful gap, treat as indicative of the regional SE-trade pattern only, not spot-specific. Annual station averages: 8 kn, ESE, gusts 26 kn, daytime 26 C / nighttime 22 C. Per-month wind speed / Bft-probability chart is JS-rendered and not extractable as numbers in this session; only monthly dominant direction recovered.
| Month | Wind ≥4 Bft | Avg kn | Dir | Air °C | Water °C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | —% | — | SE | — | — |
| Feb | —% | — | ESE | — | — |
| Mar | —% | — | SE | — | — |
| Apr | —% | — | SE | — | — |
| May | —% | — | SE | — | — |
| Jun | —% | — | SE | — | — |
| Jul | —% | — | SE | — | — |
| Aug | —% | — | E | — | — |
| Sep | —% | — | E | — | — |
| Oct | —% | — | ESE | — | — |
| Nov | —% | — | ESE | — | — |
| Dec | —% | — | E | — | — |
Hazards
- strong tidal channel currents
- remote location with no immediate rescue infrastructure
- shifting dunes and sandbanks
- boat traffic
Rules
- marine national park regulations apply (permits/park fees for access)
Tips
- a popular way to visit is as a downwinder or day-boat trip from Vilanculos rather than staying overnight
Travel basics
| airport | VNX Vilankulo Airport, then boat/dhow or helicopter transfer to the island |
|---|---|
| getting there | Boat, dhow or helicopter transfer arranged from Vilanculos; no independent road access. |
| accommodation | a small number of upscale island lodges |
| cost level | high |
| no wind | snorkelling and diving the reefs, dugong and whale shark spotting, dune walks |
Nearby: Vilanculos
Sources: en.wikipedia.org