Magaruque Airport

The closure was due to a combination of economic, operational, and environmental factors. The primary driver was the closure of the resort the airstrip served (formerly the Magaruque Island Resort). The new luxury resort developer (Azura Retreats) opted for a different logistical model, using helicopter and boat transfers from the mainland airport in Vilankulo (VNX). This modern approach is more economically efficient, centralizes fixed-wing aircraft operations at a single, better-equipped airport, and reduces the environmental and maintenance footprint within the protected Bazaruto Archipelago National Park.

The airport is completely abandoned and the site has been reclaimed by nature. The former dirt or grass runway is heavily overgrown with shrubs and other vegetation, making its outline only faintly visible from satellite imagery. The land is part of the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park and is not being used for any other purpose. It is no longer a recognized or serviceable aviation facility.

Magaruque Airport was a private, unregistered airstrip built exclusively to serve the luxury tourist lodge on the island. Its historical significance was purely logistical, providing a 'fly-in safari' style experience for high-end tourists. It allowed guests to bypass the sometimes lengthy or rough boat transfer from Vilankulo. Operations consisted entirely of small, private charter aircraft, such as the Cessna 206 or similar light propeller planes, which would ferry guests on the short hop from the mainland.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening Magaruque Airport. The current tourism model for the island, as implemented by the luxury resort Azura Marlin Beach, relies exclusively on boat and helicopter transfers. Given the strong focus on conservation within the national park and the logistical efficiency of using the nearby Vilankulo Airport as a hub, the reopening of a private airstrip on the island is considered highly improbable.