Magaruque Island
Inhambane Province 550 Mozambique
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Magaruque Island is situated in the Bazaruto Archipelago,8km by Speed boat from Vilankulos. It is the only Island in the Bazaruto Archipelago with a deep channel directly in front of the beach, through which a large volume of sea water flows and accompanying fish, dolphins, and the occasional Dhow sailing gently past on route to the deeper ocean beyond the archipelago. Magaruque Island is surrounded with Extensive Pristine beaches with a beautiful coral reef and crystal clear water, where the variety of fish is limitless. The Barracuda restaurant honours nature and beauty, which features fresh seafood dishes prepared in a Mozambican and Portuguese style. Magaruque Island gives our guests the opportunity to break completely away from their everyday life and take in breathe taking sunsets and soft sounds of the Indian ocean flowing back and forth.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Public wifi
Pool
Free breakfast
Beach
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Shuttle bus service
Spa
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Mosquito net
Non-smoking hotel
Laundry service
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Room features
Soundproof rooms
Bathrobes
Air conditioning
Safe
Seating area
Iron
Minibar
Bath / shower
Laptop safe
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Refrigerator
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
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Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
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Languages Spoken
English, Croatian
Location
19Reviews1Q+A3Room tips
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We used Sailaway to get across from Vilanculos. The arrangements were easy and smooth. We were able to walk all around the perimeter of the island on the beach and enjoy a huge colony of pink flamingos at the south end. I also had a good drift snorkel along the reef and enjoyed the many fish. The reef is dead, sad to say. The lunch on the beach was delicious and the sail home romantic and fun.
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Date of stay: April 2016Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
The previous managers, Kelly and Jaco, are now gone. (They left December 7) and this remote island resort, which has all the makings of a spectacular vacation property is now adrift. With no one in charge, the well appointed and spacious villas have begun to fall into neglect and disrepair. Think broken air conditioners and furniture that is falling apart. On our first night, we discovered fresh blood on our sheets but there was no one around to change the linen for us. In fact, during a three night stay the housekeeping staff never changed the sheets!(They simply moved the blood stains to a different corner of the bed.) The wooden walkway from the pool area to the villa units is warped and dangerous to bare feet.The shrubs are unkempt. The snorkeling equipment (supposedly free to hotel guests) is tattered and broken. At $400 per person per night, guests should be given sufficient soap and towels. (We were not.) There should be electricity. (The generator was shut off at several times during the day. And after we left, friends we met at the resort told us that the generator completely conked out and for 2 days -and nights! guests had to contend with the oppressive heat without air-conditioning and (scarier still) pitch black darkness after nightfall. While the simple food offered during our stay was ample and for the most part good, future travelers should beware: This place is not really set up for tourists. Scariest of all for us was the boatride.(The only way to access Magaruque) We were taken to the island on a small crowded speedboat with insufficient life vests and seats. (We were 13 passengers on a boat suitable for 6.) The resort had told us it would take a maximum of 15 to 20 minutes to cross over to the island. But with 5 foot waves the day we arrived frightening journey took closer to an hour. (The return trip was only somewhat better. In both directions we were required to wade in waist high water to access the boat (there is no dock on either end) and on the return trip to Vilanculous had to carry our own bags. In short: This place (apparently once the vacation home of a wealthy businessman) is NOT set up to receive guests.…
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Date of stay: December 2015Trip type: Travelled with family
Cleanliness
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Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Be sure to get a villa close to the swimming pool and AVOID the villas a mile or so away and...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
The island is incredible - warm, clear water and great snorkelling just outside your hotel room. A walk around the island takes about 3 hours and is one of the best beach walks we have done. Although the hotel is small the villas are enormous and well furnished with excellent service. The food is good home cooked meals - a set menu for each meal. Definitely worth the trip and we would go back
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Date of stay: September 2015Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Location
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Kelly M, General Manager at Magaruque Island
Responded 1 Oct 2015
Good Day Pieter, Thank you for review. We are glad that we reached your expectations. Look forward to seeing you in the near future. Kind Regards Kelly Matthee
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This Island has the WOW factor. We spent our second week of our holiday on this wonderful Island for our 10th wedding anniversary after spending a week on safari in South Africa. Everything about this beautiful place was exceptional from our hosts Kelly & Jaco, Pedro, who mended my sandle after it broke when he showed us around the Island, plus all the staff who are extremely helpful and friendly. Our complements to the chef on the exquisite food that was served to us although on the last night I just could not do justice to the lovely fish platter. On my return I have raved about the Island and how wonderful the accommodation is. I can only describe the whole experience as paradise, it was the most restful place we have stayed in and hope to return in the near future.
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Date of stay: August 2015Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Kelly M, General Manager at Magaruque Island
Responded 11 Sep 2015
Dear Mr and Mrs Schofield, Thank you for choosing to spend your 10th Wedding Anniversary at Villa Magaruque. We are happy that your stay with us was unforgettable... . it is true that Villa Magaruque is Paradise on earth. Relax, Breathe and take in the Moment Thank you for the lovely complements, I will be sure to share them with the team. We hope to see you both in the near future Yours sincerely Villa Magaruque Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
We arrived to this island at the end of our honeymoon and had already had such an amazing time in South Africa and Mozambique that we thought it couldn't get better...Well, how wrong we were!! We arrived to this pristine island and oh my god it was so beautiful. We had a stunning villa all for ourselves with a huge bedroom and bathroom, which was on top on that furnished with amazing taste. Everything is pure perfection, from the beautiful bed with mosquito net (although we had absolutely none during our trip), to the beautiful swimming pool overlooking the indien ocean, through the sunbeds so confortable you just want to stay there for the rest of your life and not move again. Still, I didn't speak about what's best in this place: the food!! Who thought that on a tiny island you could eat like in a Michelin star restaurant...The chef (trained but the lovely owner) is absolutely brilliant and we had the most amazing food. The staff also couldn't be nicer and here for you, without being too much on your shoulders like it can happen sometime. The whole experience is just pure luxury and relaxation, also you have a full island almost for yourself, with beautiful view, white sands and coral reefs...really never had such a truly unique experience even though I have travelled a lot. Finally, the managers of the place are absolutely lovely and just make sure you have everything you need. The last night we were there they made us an exquisite surprise of a dinner on the beach with an incredible seafood platter full lobster, crab, gambas...really, I just want to be back there while writing these lines!!…
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Date of stay: June 2015Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Location
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Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Kelly M, Manager at Magaruque Island
Responded 11 Aug 2015
Hi Eve, Thank you kindly for your great review. We are so glad that we made the end of your honeymoon so pleasant. You are both such a wonderful couple. We wish you both all the best and hope to see you back again to visit Magaruque Island. From the management and team at Magaruque Island
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
As much as I don't want to share this amazing place with the rest of the world - I would highly recommend Magaruque Island as this is certainly one of the best places I've ever visited! You can't beat this piece of paradise and the villas are to die for. If you want a 5 star villa right on the white sands of Mozambique, then look no further. This is an incredible destination for newly weds and the staff/managers ensure you're treated like royalty.
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Date of stay: April 2015Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Rooms
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Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Kelly M, General Manager at Magaruque Island
Responded 11 Aug 2015
Hello there Mr and Mrs Greenstien, Thank you for the wonderful compliments that you wrote in your review. We are happy that we could make your stay one to remember. We hope to see you both in the near future.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
"Ridiculous"... This was the superlative that found myself using over and over again this weekend. We just spent 3 nights on Magaruque to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary and everything about this island is just ridiculous. The setting is out of a coffee table book. The accommodation is outstanding and the food is fantastic. It is a relatively remote island which required a short boat trip from the Vilankulos main beach over surreal turquoise blue water. Being on the channel, there is a fair current for most of the day as the tide comes in and out. For roughly a 3 hour period the water is quite still and the snorkeling on the house reef is great. At low tide we ventured down to the other end of the island where the coral and fish life is more abundant. That afternoon relaxing in the rim flow pool, with only 5 meters of powder white beach sand in between the pool and the ocean, 3 dolphins swam past us with one giving us a short show jumping out of the water. If you are planning on snorkeling, take your own equipment as there isn't on the island. Fortunately I checked this with our travel agent beforehand. Yes, there are always small things that resorts and lodges can overlook or improve on but having travelled fairly extensively to a number of islands all over the world, this island really is something special. Expect a lot of seafood for meals. The accommodation is absolutely superb. Our accommodation was essentially a house with the decor very tastefully thought out (and very little expense spared) complete with our own little plunge pool which was used extensively to cool off. The management are quite clearly on top of all the finer details. Overall, all the pictures you find online don't do this resort justice and it's not a case of if we'll be back, it's when we'll be back!…
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Date of stay: March 2015Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Kelly M, General Manager at Magaruque Island
Responded 11 Aug 2015
Thank you for taking the time to review our page, we appreciate it. We are glad that your stay at Magaruque island reached your expectations. We hope to see you back with us in the near future Kind regards Kelly matthee
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I took my family here for 6 days in August. I stumbled across Magaruque entirely by accident whilst looking for a 5 star lodge in Mozambique and I showed it to my wife who wanted to go to a place near Pemba. We took a punt on it (we could almost stay there for a week for the price of a night in Pemba:ok, maybe 2 nights!). It could not have been bettered by any other hotel and it was absolutely phenomenal!! The lodge was beautiful (apparently someone's home), the rooms outstanding, the staff perfectly attentive (Pedro would appear at 11.59 with a beer in a chilled,frosted glass for me and rock shandies for my family followed by a bottle of rose the moment we sat down for lunch). We could float with the tide along the reef and if we time it well, float back on the ebb! Walks around the island gave us the exercise we need to work off the delicious meals we were served. Kelly and Jaco were the sublime hosts. I am only reviewing this now as I am thinking about it again as we go back for 10 days over Easter (and we have never before been back to anywhere we have stayed). Unsurpassable!!!…
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Date of stay: August 2014Trip type: Travelled with family
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: They are all the same except the main lodge. All outstanding
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Kelly M, General Manager at Magaruque Island
Responded 25 Feb 2015
Dear James and Family Thank you for taking the time to Review Magaruque Island. We do appreciate your feedback. We are glad that you enjoyed your stay with us and that Pedro could exceed your expectations. We look forward to seeing you and your family in Easter where we will have cold beers and rock shandy's awaiting your arrival. Kind Regards Kelly Matthee General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This has taken some time to write mainly because I don't really want to share with the rest of the world how awesome this place really is and wish to keep it a secret so it doesn't become commercialised!!! From the helicopter transfer (compliments of the pilot Heath) at Vilanculos airport to the island, it was magical all the way. Kelly and Jaco (the management of "paradise") have clearly put in a lot of time and effort to ensure that guests are taken care of and the amenities are pristine and very upmarket. There is really no criticism that I can mention other than the locals/ day guests who visit the island and leave their litter behind. The accommodation, food, service and attitude of everyone was superb. The staff at Magaruque (clearly a Kelly influence) are proud and happy to go the extra mile to ensure your comfort. Our group of four were even each given a wrapped gift with a personalised card, on Christmas Day followed by a scrumptious late afternoon dinner. The week we spent on the island was possibly one of my most memorable visits ever. My husband and I have over the years visited many private lodges in South Africa and one other property in Inhambane. When you travel you don't look for flaws and problems but sometimes there's always that "little something" that is overlooked. I can honestly say that at Magaruque - nothing is overlooked - so Kelly and Jaco - thank you and WELL DONE!!! If you're looking for tranquility, great food, service and excellent accommodation - need I say more? Warm regards Helen & Dave…
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Date of stay: December 2014Trip type: Travelled with friends
Value
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Kelly M, General Manager at Magaruque Island
Responded 10 Feb 2015
Dear Helen and David, Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a beautiful review about Magaruque Island. You have nothing to worry about as our goal here on Magaruque Island is to keep the Island Paradise, unique and beautiful. We are so content that the staff and Management on Magaruque made your stay worth while and that you both had such a special Christmas as well a memorable vacation. Thank you for great complements about our hospitality on the Island. We look for forward to your visit here in the near future. Kind Regards Kelly Matthee General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
TravelAgentAnonymous wrote a review Jan 2015
New York City, New York297 contributions85 helpful votes
Apologies for our belated review from a wonderful stay last August. We have been to almost 70 countries but this is truly a magical, unique spot. Kelly is a superb host and we loved taking our young children snorkeling 15' from our lovely villa and drifting down while seeing thousands of fish. The dunes on the island and the surrounding ones are stunning and Magaruque is the perfect base for exploring them. We need an excuse to return!
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Date of stay: August 2014Trip type: Travelled with family
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Kelly M, General Manager at Magaruque Island
Responded 10 Feb 2015
Dear Miles and Family, Thank you kindly for your review we do appreciate the time that you took to write about Magaruque Island. we are so glad that you all had a wonderful time here on the Island of Paradise. We hope to see you all back here to visit again in the near future Kind Regards Kelly Matthee General Manager.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LOCATION
MozambiqueInhambane ProvinceBazaruto ArchipelagoMagaruque Island
NUMBER OF ROOMS
6
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Frequently Asked Questions about Magaruque Island
What are some of the property amenities at Magaruque Island?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, a pool, and an on-site restaurant.
Which room amenities are available at Magaruque Island?
Top room amenities include a minibar, air conditioning, and a refrigerator.
What food & drink options are available at Magaruque Island?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Magaruque Island?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Does Magaruque Island have an airport shuttle?
Yes, Magaruque Island offers an airport shuttle for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Magaruque Island?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Croatian.