Island paradise, just across the border

Conjure up an image of a tropical island holiday and chances are the over-water villas of the Maldives will spring to mind or perhaps the granite-lined beaches of the Seychelles. But they’re far-flung which means a lengthy — and increasingly pricey — flight to get there.

So look closer to home, and you don’t have to look far. Just 90 minutes in the air out of Johannesburg and you can find yourself dipping your toes in the warm water of the Bazaruto Archipelago, a watery wonderland of pristine sandbanks, turquoise seas and no end of island luxury.

It’s also got easier to fly there with Airlink recently upping their schedule between Johannesburg and Vilanculos to 11 flights a week. The new roster offers more seats — which usually means lower fares — and better availability for planning a longer holiday or a short-break on the beach.

There’s no shortage of glorious beachfront escapes to choose from.

Start with Kisawa Sanctuary, hugging the southern end of Benguerra Island, just offshore from Vilanculos.

Kisawa stretches over 300ha of prime beachfront, with 17 spacious bungalows across 11 bespoke residences offering one- to three-bedrooms, catering for couples, small groups and multi-gen travellers. Throughout Kisawa the focus is on serene natural tones and textures, an abundance of taupe, sand and whites mirroring the coastal landscape outdoors. It’s all balanced by splashes of local cloth and colour, with contemporary African art and locally crafted design pieces to create a sanctuary with a rich sense of place.

Rather go see them for yourself with the guided snorkelling trips to Kisawa’s three house reefs and kayak excursions along the coast. Or, if you’d rather stay on terra firma, there are nature walks to explore more of the island. Be sure to be back in time for sundowners and dinner at Baracca, the playful beachfront eateries — one of four restaurants at Kisawa — serving up a contemporary take on Mozambican cuisine.

You’ll find more bespoke culinary adventures at andBeyond Benguerra Island Lodge, a little further north. Here a dozen secluded casinhas line the shoreline, boasting private plunge pools, spacious terraces and butler service as standard. Indoors, each suite channels the island’s rich history in an aesthetic of shimmering copper, hand-carved wooden tables and Portuguese-inspired prints.

andBeyond’s much-loved safari experience takes on a different bent here, with snorkelling, diving and fishing led by some of the best guides in the business. Whatever you do, don’t leave without discovering the secluded sandbank picnics.

It’s an idyllic destination for couples, but what if you have family in tow? Then hop one island north to Bazaruto, the largest of the six islands that make up the Bazaruto Archipelago.