Read 5 traveller reviews of Marlin Lodge

Marlin Lodge is located on Benguerra Island, and is one of the Bazaruto Archipelago better-known lodges. It also has one of the islands most beautiful locations - right on a point, overlooking the tranquil Flamingo Bay.

Marlin Lodge has 14 Luxury beach chalets, and 3 Executive suites; all of which have recently been rebuilt after cyclone Favio struck the Bazaruto Archipelago in February 2007 and caused significant damage to the area.

The lodge has been completely rebuilt, using Mozambiquan hardwoods, red cladded brick walls, thatched roofs and elevated wooden decks to preserve the plant life.

All of the chalets are a stones through from the beach, and have uninterrupted views over the soft white sand and crystal clear waters. They're incredibly spacious, with tall thatched roofs; exposed wooden beams, slate floors, and large glass sliding doors.

The Luxury chalets are beautifully decorated in creams and oceanic blues, with touches of African deco. They're open-plan with large glass sliding-doors that lead out onto a private verandah with deck chairs and a hammock. The lounge has plenty of comfortable seating space, a well stocked mini bar (for your own account) and tea & coffee making facilities. In the summer months, the ceiling fan and air-conditioning are an extra luxury.

Directly behind the lounge is the open-plan bedroom, which has either a twin or double, four poster bed; with mosquito nets, crisp white linen and teal bed-throws. Behind the bed is a low wall which separates the bathroom. The bathroom is enormous, with a large walk in shower, vanity area, twin basins and a separate loo. At the back of the room, sliding doors lead outside to an enclosed courtyard, with an additional open-air shower.

The Executive suites are very similar to the Luxury chalets although they're slightly larger and have four poster King size beds. The colours are also different; they're decorated in Autumn shades rather than the ocean blues. The ceilings are much higher, and the rooms don't have ceiling fans – but they do have air-conditioning. An additional feature which an Executive suite has is a second verandah. Guests also receive sherry and snacks on arrival.

Whilst all of Marlin Lodges chalets and suites have direct access to the sandy beach and their private gazebos, some of the rooms to the south of the main area have rocks in the water. So you can't swim there at hide tide... unless you take your reef shoes. This does not detract from the beauty of those rooms, as you can walk a few meters down the beach, to an area that's clear for swimming.

One thing to bear in mind about the Bazaruto Archipelago, is the dramatic tidal range. When the tide is at its lowest, it can be up to a few kilometres out in front of the lodge – especially at spring low. This means that it's only possible to swim in front of the lodge at high tide. However, Marlin Lodge does have a fantastic swimming pool overlooking the beach, and it's long enough to swim lengths in! Alternatively, you can take a beautiful walk around South Point, to the East of the island where the tide doesn't go out as far – although the sea tends to be more rough, so take care, and watch the currents.

The main area of Marlin Lodge comprises a spacious reception and lounge, a small curio shop, and a reading lounge. Adjacent to this is the large thatched open-fronted dining room, bar, and cocktail lounge. Outside a wooden deck wraps around the building and either leads you to their very well run activity centre, or to a paved verandah with plenty of seating areas, the swimming pool and a beach bar.

For those who can't switch off, Marlin Lodge also has a small business centre. And for those who want to switch off completely, there's a small 'Beauty and Wellness centre'.

Marlin Lodge offers a range of activities which can be booked each night with the guest relations manager in the bar from 7pm onwards. The relevant managers will be there to assist with any queries.

They offer a number of complimentary water sport activities such as kayaks, windsurfers, kite-flying and Hobiecats.

Additional activities, for an additional charge, include waterskiing, knee boarding and wake snaking.

Excursions (also for an additional charge) include;

Pansy Island - which is situated ½ hour north of Benguerra Island. Enjoy a picnic lunch set up under an umbrella and on rugs. Stroll along the beach in search of the unique Pansy Shell.

Snorkel Adventure – a beautiful snorkel at 2 Mile Reef. The Bazaruto Archipelago is host to over 2000 fish species and over a hundred coral species. It can truly be compared to something from National Geographic.
“The Aquarium” can be snorkeled in certain conditions.

Diving – this is a diver's paradise! Various dive sites can be reached with Marlin Lodge's catamaran. All dives take place at locations to be determine by the Dive Instructor once at the lodge.
Scuba courses are available here, although major courses are best arranged in advance, and they suggest the theory should be done before you get there.

Angling – for the angling enthusiast, the Bazaruto Archipelago is heralded as one of the greatest game fishing sites in the Indian Ocean. Marlin Lodge is proud to offer the best fleet of fishing boats in the Bazaruto Archipelago.

Island Drive – the northern part of the island can be explored by vehicle. Climb the sand dune and enjoy breathtaking views, visit fresh water lakes and learn about the fauna, flora and local culture.

South Point Picnic – travel by vehicle to the point of the island for a secluded picnic.

Dhow sunset cruise – sail on a traditional Mozambican dhow, whilst the sun sets over the Archipelago.

In conclusion, we think that Marlin Lodge is a relaxed and unpretentious well run lodge. We found the staff friendly and efficiently. It's an ideal lodge for honeymooners who want a bit of pampering, divers and anglers who want a well run activity centre and top notch equipment, and couples who are simply looking for a relaxing beach holiday.

Lodge overview

Lodge type: Beach

No. of bedrooms: 14 Luxury beach chalets, and 3 Executive suites

Season: Open Year Round

Ideal length of stay: We recommend a minimum of 4 nights. Marlin Lodge is offering a special for 2009. Stay 4 nights and only pay for 3 nights. This special is valid from 1 February – 10 December 2009, excluding the month of April, and excluding group bookings.

Geographics

Location: Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique

Directions: Daily flights with Pelican Air from Johannesburg to Vilanculos take two hours. Then it's a 14km (30 minutes) boat ride from the mainland to Benguerra Island.

Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board

Food quality: All the meals we had at Marlin Lodge were very good. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet style, with plenty of choice, and dinner is a set menu with a choice of starters and mains. Breakfast is at leisure and is served from 07:30 – 10:00 in the dining room. Breakfast consists of fruit, yoghurt, cereal and a full cooked meal including eggs to order, fruit juice, tea and coffee. Lunch is served from 13:00 – 14:30 in the dining room. Dinner is served from 19:30 although not always in the dining room. Weather permitting, the lodge sometimes offers a beach barbeque with a selection of fish, meat, calamari and seafood being prepared according to you personal preference.

Dining style: Inidividual Tables

Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining

Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included

Drinks included: Excluded

Special interests

Beach holidays: Marlin Lodge is set on one of Bazaruto's most beautiful locations, just a mere hop, skip and jump from the white sandy beach and the clear blue waters of Flamingo Bay. Each room has a private boardwalk down to the beach, and a wide range of watersports activities can be arranged, including snorkel adventures, diving and dhow sunset cruises. - See more of our suggestions of the best places for beach holidays in Mozambique

Diving & snorkelling: Good coral reefs are just a 30-minute boat ride away from Marlin - See more of our suggestions of the best places for diving & snorkelling in Mozambique

Wellbeing: A modest spa here offers a small range of high-quality massages & treatments - See more of our suggestions of the best places for wellbeing in Mozambique

Children

Attitude towards children: Marlin Lodge welcomes children 14 years and older. For the months of April and December-January 2009/2010, the lodge is welcoming children at a discounted rate of 50%. Children aged 2-14 years pay only 50% of the sharing rate.

Age restrictions: 14 years throughout the year, except the months of April and December-January 2009/2010.

Central communications

Communications: Marlin Lodge ask that you please respect other guests and refrain from using mobile phones in the main areas.

Health & safety

Malarial area: Yes

Extras

Accepted payment: Marlin Lodge can only accept MasterCard and Visa Credit Cards. They also accept travellers cheques and cash. Debit cards cannot be processed in Mozambique.

^ Top of page