Azura

Set on Benguerra Island in Mozambique's Bazaruto Archipelago, Azura Retreats is a PADI 5 Star Dive Resort where the diving comes wrapped in a full ocean safari. Alongside excellent dive sites, you can join fun water activities, whale-watching, fishing for local species and educational guided marine walks — the kind where crowds of ghost crabs scuttle past your feet — plus the chance of incredible turtle sightings.

Diving and courses

The waters here are known for encounters with sharks, whales, turtles and ocean fish. If you're keen to learn, the resident PADI instructors run scuba courses, and there's an onsite training pool to find your feet before heading out on the dive boat. They recommend completing the theory portion of your course at home, so you arrive ready to dive and spend more time exploring the water around the island.

Scuba equipment rental is available on site, and the team speaks English. With its blend of quality diving, marine encounters and a relaxed island setting, Azura suits divers of all levels — from newcomers earning their first certification to those simply chasing unforgettable time beneath the surface.