Paradise Island is situated on an island known as Ilha Santa Carolina in Mozambique - highly regarded as the jewel of the five islands forming the Bazaruto Archipelago, a proclaimed marine national park. The only coral rock island in the archipelago, Santa Carolina is a mere 2.3km in length surrounded by turquoise waters, beautiful beaches and shallow reefs which provide excellent snorkelling.

Rani Resorts is set to build a resort on the island reminiscent to the original establishment that operated on Santa Carolina during the 1950s and 1960’s. The new island hotel, with its distinctly retro feel, will consist of 50 exquisitely appointed rooms, stylish restaurants and bars, a Clube Naval, kids-club, Sanctuary Spa, shops, a dive and fishing centre, tennis courts and an innovative Qolf chipping course (first introduced at Rani Resorts’ Indigo Bay Island Resort and Spa.)

Catering for discerning clientele from all over the world, Paradise Island also offers an airstrip for easy access to the mainland. Environmental Impact Assessments are underway, and it is expected that construction on Paradise Island will commence in 2010 and open to guests in 2012.

Only two hours’ flying time from Johannesburg and just over an hour from Maputo, the Bazaruto Archipelago is increasingly becoming a sought-after destination for tourists seeking pristine and unique African island, as well as African Bush and Beach, experiences.

With the advent of Paradise Island, Rani Resorts increases the portfolio of islands and safari destinations it operates to eight.
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Santa Carolina’s history dates back to the 1950’s, where Portuguese businessman and entrepeneur, Joaquim Alves, built a grand 250-room hotel on the island for his Mozambican bride: Donna Ana. A well known and much-loved exclusive playground for the rich and famous in the 1950’s and 60’s, when Mozambique was still a province of Portugal, the hotel remained a popular destination for 20 years. Bob Dylan is reputed to have composed his song “Mozambique” on the hotel’s piano (the very same piano being carefully stored at Indigo Bay Island Resort and Spa on Bazaruto Island). In 1973, Alves abandoned the hotel towards the end of Mozambique’s ongoing struggle for independence. Santa Carolina was then declared a ‘no go zone’ during the civil war and the hotel has been left derelict after years of neglect.