Azura, Mozambique’s finest beach retreat has launched a programme that will spoil children for choice with such amazing adventures that even adults will be jealous.

The exciting activities include the PADI Bubblemaker course, big fish fishing (and cooking afterwards if they’re hungry!), star-gazing, a trip to magical Pansy Island and searching for crocodiles.

For kids wanting to try scuba diving in a safe and secure environment, there is the PADI Bubblemaker course. Children aged eight years old and upwards will be taught how to breathe underwater and when ready, they will practice swimming in the dedicated dive training pool (max depth two meters). Kids can learn some impressive underwater tricks and will be awarded with an official PADI certificate to take home. Azura also offers the PADI Discover Scuba course for children 10 years and older, which includes a shallow dive out to the spectacular reefs, where turtles and dolphins are often seen, or even humpback whales on their seasonal migration.

For the budding fishermen in the family, Azura’s local fishing guides are on hand to take children out to the reefs to catch a variety of fish. The braver kids can go out further to the deep seas where they will be tasked with catching supper for the whole family! Azura also offers fishing at the nearby island lakes where a catch is almost guaranteed for children of all ages. The kids can then have the excitement of releasing the fish in the Azura pond when they return to the retreat.

Back to the ocean, and the resident biologist has a trip for children to Pansy Island, a fascinating island that only appears at low tide, giving the illusion that it disappears. There is also a marine life walk where the kids will come face to face with crabs, starfish, sea anemones and many other types of creepy crawlies along the way!

The skies in the Southern Hemisphere are spectacular and Azura’s resident astronomy expert is on hand to teach the children about all the bright stars and planets that can clearly be seen from the beach at night. During some months of the year, constellations such as Orion and the Southern Cross can be seen and are explained in a clear and fun way through Azura’s eight inch reflecting telescope and a 3.5 kilometre laser pointer.

A children’s holiday wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the local school so they can compare it with their own and tell all their classmates about it back home! The school on Benguerra Island has been built solely by Azura from their nationally accredited ‘Rainbow Fund’ charity, which was formed for the benefit of the Island’s local community and environment. Children can meet local kids to talk about their best (or worst!) subjects and be part of a cultural exchange that will last way beyond the holiday. They can also take part in or support the island’s local soccer game on Sundays for a fun way to interact with the local community.

The activities at Azura are mainly focused on the exciting environment that surrounds the retreat but there are also some fun activities to be enjoyed in the comfort of the hotel. Azura’s African Spa offers a range of treatments for children such as face painting and pamper parties. For the teenagers there are manicures and facials and massages available too. Culinary kids can try their hand in the kitchen with one of the chefs and learn how to bake delicious cookies – and eat them too of course!

Families have the luxury of being able to stay in Villa Amizade, or experience their own private home away from home at the Presidential Villa. Each comes with separate rooms for the kids, large private pool, child friendly meals, TV, DVD players and board games. With each day designed to leave the children feeling invigorated from all the fresh air, exercise and education, a good night’s sleep is guaranteed for all!