&BEYOND BENGUERRA ISLAND, BAZARUTO ARCHIPELAGO

Encircled by pristine beaches and coral reefs teeming with life, &Beyond Benguerra Island is just a stone’s throw off mainland Mozambique, in the sun-drenched Bazaruto Archipelago.

You’ll arrive helicopter from Vilanculos Airport, starting your holiday with immaculate views of these dreamy islands and the azure waters surrounding them. &Beyond’s small, unassuming lodge is sheltered within a canopy of lush indigenous forest overlooking a protected lagoon. Set under thatch, its 13 casinhas, cabanas and casas have a distinct Mozambican feel, and come equipped with private timber decks, pools and irresistible hanging day beds.

From lazy afternoons beneath the coconut palms to deep sea fishing expeditions, your tropical getaway can be tailored exactly to your liking. Some of the world’s finest scuba diving and snorkelling is available off Benguerra’s shores, as well as the opportunity for sunset dhow cruises, ‘castaway picnics’ and horse riding. Plush loungers frame the lodge’s rim-flow swimming pool, and a traditional wooden dhow has been transformed into a vibrant beach bar. Meals are fresh from the sea, and are best enjoyed on the beach with your toes in the sand.