Benguerra Island, Mozambique

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Benguerra Island or Ilha de Benguerra was once a Portuguese penal colony and at roughly 11 km (7 miles) long by 5.5 km (3.5 miles) wide it is hard to imagine the archipelago’s second largest island as anything but paradise for the castaway. Extensive white sand beaches and towering sand dunes provide a perfect backdrop to the Bazaruto Archipelago’s major attraction, the sea. Snorkel and scuba dive. Kayak and sail. Head to the open waters and fish for marlin, kingfish and mackerel or partake in a whale watching tour. And should the kids require a break from deep-sea adventure, take a jeep tour of the interior and in addition to marveling at the forests and lakes spy on 164 species of birds. Or slow down the pace with a hunt for shells. And, at low tide, turn your stroll into a shallow water safari. Spot starfish, cowfish, seahorses and crabs and observe the local women as they fish for oysters while balancing their catch on the top of their head.

Dugong, the elephant of the sea

There are lots of fun facts about the dugong. Did you know that:

The dugong, like the manatee, is a member of the Sirenia species.
It lives in shallow, tropical waters, feeds its young and eats only sea grass. The dugong is a marine mammal herbivore.
Like all modern day sirenians, the dugong doesn't have hind limbs or a dorsal fin. But unlike other members of its species, the dugong has a dolphin-like tail and downturned snout.
Dugongs surface only to breathe and never come on to land.
When fully grown this large, gray sea creature can measure three meters long and weigh as much as 400 kilograms.
The dugong may be aquatic but it most closely resembles it land-based cousin, the elephant. In fact, sailors once called it a sea elephant.
Once hunted for its meat and oil the dugong is today a protected species.