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Marlin Lodge

Benguerra Island, Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique


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MARLIN LODGE - BENGUERRA ISLAND, BAZARUTO ARCHIPELAGO, MOZAMBIQUE
The Bazaruto Archipelago is known as the "Crown Jewels of the Indian Ocean" and Benguerra Island is the glittering gem in this chain of islands with Marlin Lodge a perfect spot for a magical escape.  The island is set amid transluscent  waters, flecked with dhow sails and rich in marine life - an unspoiled paradise for those seeking a haven of peace; something extraordinary.

The approach is flagrantly romantic - your boat glides over a turqoise sea alive with dolphins;  The shallows spangled with starfish like an underwater sky.  You cleave towards the white sands and swaying palms of a quintessential island, straight from the pages of fiction, silhouetted on the horizon.

It beckons, as if to say "Come and cast yourself away."

At Marlin Lodge there are opportunities to experience water-skiing, yachting, knee boarding and water snaking for the adventurous, plus bird watching excursions or a leisurely cruise while enjoying the spectacular sunset over the Indian Ocean.  Romantic picnics on deserted beaches of breathtaking white sand are also very popular.

Then, of course there are the underwater attractions of this abundantly populated area of ocean. The Bazaruto Archipelago, of which Benguerua Island is a part, was declared a National Marine Park in 1971.  On visiting Marlin Lodge you will no doubt praise those who had the foresight to protect the area.  In the shallow water, small, nervous fish nibble brightly colored coral and playful dolphins disturb the occasional somber dugong.  Further out in the deep channels lurk those creatures that so many come to this area to see.

For the anglers, there are Marlin, Sailfish, Wahoo and others that provide an equal challenge.  Kingfish, Queenfish, Dorado and Barracuda come in with the tide to do provide additional sport.

There are two ways to closely experience this aquatic beauty: go down into it - clad in a wetsuit and with a tank on your back  - or bring it up to you with the help of a sturdy fishing rod.  Each has its own rewards - swimming through coral forests with dolphins as your companions for instance is a heady experience.  But few experiences come close to the thrill of hooking a Marlin.

The fish on the deck means a proud picture, an epic story for the folks back home and succulent steaks for dinner.  A sudden slacking of the line, however, means a return trip to paradise and that, somewhere out of sight, the symbol and essence of Marlin Lodge live on.

Back on shore, the wood, Luxury Marlin lodge welcomes the exhausted explorers.  Share your experiences with other guests and enjoy exquisite cuisine, before eventually retiring to your room to enjoy something else you may have forgotten existed - silence.  Drift into a somber rest with the sound of the waves lapping gently against the beach.

Accommodation            For images of Marlin Lodge, click Marlin Images
Marlins elegant wooden structures are beautifully integrated into the environment. The wood, reed, and thatch chalets, constructed on elevated stilts, offer an unspoiled view of the white beach and Archipelago Ocean.  In the living and dining area, one can retreat from the African sun, sip on a tropical drink, or lazily catch up on some reading.

The freshwater pool is set in a glade of Coconut and Ilala palms.  Upon occasion, lunch is served here, creating an original African island setting.

Marlin Lodge's chalets and suites stretch along the beach of Flamingo Bay.  Each of thel 21 en-suite chalets are sea facing with a private patio and walkway to the white sandy beach.  The accommmodation is a blend of elegance and Africa beauty.  Decorated with a hue of creams, browns, burnt orange and slight blues, each reflects luxury and essential comfort.

Indulge yourself in a unique African-style bush bath, the patio transformed into a secluded hide-away, with twin galvanized baths filled with warm water, bath salts and fragrant oils.

There are four categories of chalets to choose from, the eleven Classic chalets, six Luxury chalets, one Luxury Suite, and three Executive Suites.  Guests are treated to the finest cuisine and warmest hospitality in a tranquil and friendly atmosphere.  All rooms provide mosquito repellant, net and overhead fan, with hairdryers also available in the chalets. There is no TV and mini bars are only in the Executive Suites.

Classic Chalets (11)
The Classic Chalets are a unique blend of luxury and romance but with a rustic combination. The classic chalets have undergone a soft re-furbishment and have all received new linens, furniture and little extras.  The Classic Chalets all have a ceiling fan and mosquito netting with an en-suite bathroom.   The roof is thatch and the walls are clad with Mozambican reed, and all are west facing, towards the sunset.  Each Chalet has its own balcony with deck chairs as well as direct access to the beach in front of the room.  

Luxury Chalets (6)
These rooms have four-poster beds, soft bedding, beautiful furniture, a ceiling fan as well as air-conditioning and many extras, as well as an en-suite bathroom.  The roof is thatch and clad with canvas to give a tented feel; the walls are a combination of washed plaster on brickwork and Mozambique reed. They are all west facing towards the sunset.  Of the 6 Luxury Chalets, four are in a family unit, whereas the other two chalets share a common balcony and walkway to the beach.

Luxury Suite (1)
The luxury suite is the same as a Luxury Chalet but is more than double the size.  The suite has its own relaxing lounge area with a private bar as well as a separate casual lounge area, a spacious balcony and direct private access to the beach.  The Luxury Suite is ideally suited for guests seeking more space, privacy, style and luxury.  This suite features a king size, four-poster bed, air-conditioning, a ceiling fan, and en-suite bathroom.

Executive Suite (3)
These Suites are the most recently refurbished rooms.  Their size is about 100 square meters including the en-suite bathroom.  Each suite features two lounges, a built-in mini bar, two basin areas, a vanity area, plus inside and outside showers.  The bedrooms feature a king size, four-poster bed, with air-conditioning.  The patios have a hammock, sitting area, and private walkway to the beach.  These suites are the pride of Marlin Lodge and are aimed at the more up market traveler.  Maximum of 2 guests in a suite.

Activities
• Scuba diving and snorkeling
• Game and saltwater fly-fishing
• Wind surfing
• Catamaran sailing
• Water-skiing
• Knee boarding
• Water-snaking
• Half and Full day excursions to neighboring Islands
• Sunset cruises
• Theme evenings

DIVE SITES TWO MILE REEF - Situated 25 minutes from the lodge by boat on the eastern side of Benguerra Island.  They do various dives on this site ranging from shallow to deeper dives.  Good for both beginners and more experienced divers. • Aquarium - Situated on the inside of 2 Mile Reef with a maximum depth of 8 meters at low tide.  Regularly spotted: big malabar rockcod, blue spotted ribbon tail rays, butterfly fish, unicorn fish, coachman and a vairety of hard and soft corals.  Recently also a school of 25 baby grey reef sharks.  Visibility 10 to 25 meters.  This site is also good for snorkeling. • The Gap - Situated on the inside of 2 Mile Reef with a maximum depth of 12 meters at low tide.  Regularly spotted: Neon fusiliers, malabar rockcod, stingrays, coachman, white tip reef sharks, honeycomb moray eel, turtles, green tree coral and a big variety of other species of reef fish.  Visibility 10 to 25 meters. • Outside 2 Mile Reef - Maximum depth 21 meters on high tide.  A variety of flat section, overhangs, pinnacles and large rocks with caves and holes, covered with hard and soft coral, mostly green tree coral.  Regularly spotted: hawksbill, loggerhead and greenback turtles, moray eels, devil rays, sting rays, grey reef, white tip reef and black tip reef sharks, nudibranchs, large variety of reef fish and game fish like kingfish and king and queen mackerel.  Visibility 8 to 30 meters.

5 MILE REEF - Located at the southern Point of Bazaruto Island, this reef has a flat structure with large potholes and small overhangs.  Depth 8 to 14 meters.  Variety of reef and game fish.  Visibility 8 to 30 meters.

SAILFISH BAY - Located on the outside of Bazaruto Island.  There are 2 dives at this site; one is 12 meters and the other is 30 meters.  Regularly spotted: a range of reef and game fish, turtles, big schools of batfish, white/black/grey reef sharks, moray eels, rays and also a huge variety of corals.  Visibility 8 to 30 meters.  This site is a pinnicle, rising from 30 meters to 12 meters and dropping back to about 25 meters.  This site is only for advanced divers.

SAN SEBASTIAO - Located 1.5 hours from the lodge by boat situated off the mainland.  This dive is only for advanced divers with a depth of 30 meters.  It is 2 pinnicles rising from 30 meters to 18 meters back to 30 meters with a valley in between of about 26 meters.  Have spotted moray eels, grey reef sharks, Zambezi shark, whale sharks, manta rays, big sting rays, resident potato bass, large variety of reef fish, big schools of tuna and kingfish, and a large variety of both hard and soft corals and green tree coral.  Visibility ranging from 8 meters up to 40 meters.  Also sometimes mild to strong currents depending on the weather conditions.

HOME REEF - Situated 1km from Marlin Lodge in the deep channel; this is a wreck dive.  A 10 meter monohull yacht was sunken there in 2002.  There is a variety of reef and game fish resident to the yacht including lion fish, crocodile fish, and moray eels.  Maximum depth 12 meters.  Visibility 8 to 20 meters.  Just to the north of the wreck is a maximum of a 12-meter dive on a ledge with  a variety of reef and game fish, crayfish, rays and moray eels.  These two dives are also use for night dives.

SNORKEL TRIP
At low tide one can snorkel in the aquarium, a wonderful, tranquil and protected reef with a myriad of colorful fish and spectacular coral.

Other Activities
DHOW SAILING
Relax while gliding over the clear, calm sea on a traditional fishing boat and enjoy ice cold drinks and a breathtaking sunset over the lagoon.

WATER SPORT
There is a variety of exhilarating water sport, from traditional water skiing, the thrill of the water snake and tubing to sailing the catamaran.

ISLAND DRIVE
An informative and adventurous way to explore the exquisite bird life and secret hideaways of Benguerra island.  Experience a breathtaking view from a dune before a refreshing swim in the ocean.

DEEP SEA FISHING
The experienced crew with their intimate knowledge of the local waters will take you on our sophisticated boats for an exciting trip to find marlin, sailfish or king fish that live in the pristine waters surrounding the island.

The rich waters around the Bazaruto Archipelago offer some of the best fishing in the world.  What makes fishing in this area so special is that one is able to fish all the different disciplines of fishing in these pristine waters (i.e., Rock & Surf, Salt Water Fly, Game & Bill Fishing).

Marlin Lodge has a superb fleet of Fishing boats equipped with the most up to date fish finders and GPS systems.

All skippers have been with Marlin Lodge for periods exceeding five years.

BOATS
All fishing boats based at Marlin Lodge are twin engined and are in touch with each other and the on-shore base via a repeater VHF Marine Radio system that has a network circumference coverage of approximately 80 Kms from the base station, thus ensuring that all our boats are in communication at all times.  Each boat carries all Department of Transport Approved Safety Equipment.  All boats, skippers and deck hands are registered and licensed with the Maritime Department in Mozambique.

There are two types of boats in the fishing fleet at the lodge.
1)  4 x 27 ft. Nova Cats (Marlin 1, 2, 3, 4). These are fitted with 2 x 150 HP/ 200 HP Yamaha Outboard Motors, Schaffer Outriggers, Marlin Fighting chairs and Furuno Fish finder and GPS Systems. Suitable for Game and Bill Fishing.
2)  1 x 28 ft. Butt Cat (Macarena) fitted with 2 x 85 HP Yamaha Outboard Motors suitable for Fly Fishing & Game Fishing.

CREWS
All boat skippers and deck hands are from Mozambique and many of them have grown up on the Bazaruto Archipelago Islands.  They are all well versed in taking out experienced anglers as well as total novices and enjoy showing anglers how to enjoy the sport.

The watersports division is managed by Mr. Derrick Van Deventer, an internationally qualified boat captain.

It is important that you let the skipper know how much fishing experience you have and how much you want to be involved in the initial setting up of baits and striking of fish.  This is a skill that must be learnt so the crew will not mind what you decide as long as it is communicated to them beforehand.  Remember that fish strikes happen very fast so there is no time for casual conversation on this matter when the big fish are crashing around the baits.

The boat crew will be happy to clean and prepare any fish you catch and that you wish to eat at the lodge after a day's fishing.  Tipping of boat crew direct is accepted with thanks.  Please note that this should only be in the case when you have received excellent service.  Tipping is not compulsory.

TACKLE
Marlin Lodge has a comprehensive Fishing Centre which is stocked with fishing tackle to cater for all the disciplines of fishing.  All fishing rods are manufactured by Purglass and Fenwick and are fitted with lever drag Pen International and Shimano Tiagra reels.  They carry a full range of Halco, C Lever, Rapala and Williamson lures.

For Marlin. each boat has range of 50, 80 & 130 lb. rods.
For game and Sailfish they use 30 lb. rods.
They also have a range of spinning rods for the use on boats and shore Angling.
Marlin stocks a basic range of Saltwater Fly-fishing rods, reels and flies.

Anglers are more than welcome to bring their own fishing gear, especially light tackle as it is recognized that some fishermen are more comfortable catching fish with their own equipment.

FISHING SEASONS & FISH TO EXPECT
Except for February, Marlin Lodge is open for fishing through out the year.  The Bazaruto Archipelago is ranked as the best Black Marlin destination in the Eastern Indian Ocean.

The Main Black Marlin season runs from early October through to end of January each year.  These fish come close in to the shallow waters around the Islands and can often be found feeding around the shoals of various species of tuna that frequent these waters during this time of the year.  The average size fish caught is around 700 lbs.  Numerous fish over 1000 lbs have been caught over the years, as well as the all Africa record caught in November 1998 off the north point of Bazaruto, which weighed in at 1298lbs.

The Black Marlin is the buffalo of the species and this guy is tough; initially after the strike you will be amazed at his aerobatic display out the water as he tries to throw the hook.  Failing at this he will then fight deep using his pectoral fins to hold him down so if you haven’t done your homework he’ll find you out and be gone.

Blue and striped Marlin are found between the months of September to January.  These fish are found usually in the deep waters off the islands targeting the yellow fin and other tuna shoals.  A jumping Blue Marlin is the ultimate thrill, as the power and fury of these fish under full throttle is simply awesome.   A Blue Marlin of approximately 650 lbs was caught and released during June 2002.

The main Sailfish season starts at the beginning of June and runs until the end of September, but it is not uncommon for these aerobatic gladiators to appear around the Islands during the middle of April.  The average weight is 90 lbs.  For the light tackle enthusiast this fish provides an awesome display when grey hounding across the ocean and it is quite normal for a boat to tag and release up to four fish per day.  Finicky and sometimes skittish or playful, they can make a fool of the best of anglers at times and this makes them a much sought after quarry.

Billfish:  This fish is a milestone in any angler’s early fishing experience.  Marlin Lodge supports the practice of “tag & release” for Billfish and awards certificates to anglers who have done so.

The Waters off the Bazaruto Archipelago Islands are world-renowned for their diversity of game fish species:
Caranx Family:  Giant Kingfish, Bluefin Kingfish, Brassy Kingfish, Yellowtail Kingfish & Bigeye Kingfish.
Carangoides Family:  Longfin Kingfish, Shortfin Kingfish Ferdy Kingfish,Yellowspotted Kingfish, Bludger.
Elagatis Family:  Rainbow Runner.
Scomberoides Family:  Largemouth Queenfish, Needlescaled Queenfish.
Trachinotus Africanus Family:  African Pompano.
Coryphaena Family:  Dorado.
Aprion Family:  Green Jobfish.
Acanthocybium Solandri Family:  Wahoo.
Euthynus Family:  Kawakawa or Little Eastern Tuna.
Katsuwonus Family:  Skipjack Tuna.
Somberomorus Family:  King Mackerel, Queen Mackerel.
Thunnus Family:  Yellowfin Tuna, Bigeye Tuna.
Sphyraena Family:  Great Barracuda, Pickhandle Barracuda.
Albula Family:  Bonefish. 

There are also have a variety of species of Shark that occur offshore which are mainly from the Carcharhinus Family.  Examples of these are: Silvertip, Zambezi, Blacktip, Dusky, Blackspot and Tiger Shark.

Boat Bookings
Boats are chartered by bookings made with the management at the lodge for either a half day (6 Hours) or full day charter (9 Hours).  Boats must be booked in entirety but, should you want to share with others, all attempts will be made for this arrangement at the lodge to share the costs with other guests.  Sharing is solely dependant on the needs of other guests.

All fish caught belong to the boat except in the case of fish caught and required by the client for personal consumption that day. Absolutely nothing is wasted of the fish that are landed.

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