Beach at sunset, Ponta do Ouro, Mozambique

Mozambique Holidays

Rustic African charm meets the tropical brilliance of the Indian Ocean. Our knowledgeable experts can treat you to the true Mozambique experience – whether that’s on land or on the sea.

With a coastline stretching more than 2,000 kilometres, most of which lies between the equator and the Tropic of Capricorn, Mozambique benefits from some of the best beaches on the Indian Ocean.

Quiet, relaxed and largely overlooked, the underdeveloped interior is sparsely populated and linked by crumbling infrastructure. This adds a backwards charm to much of the country. The coastline is more accessible, but still home to little more than a smattering of rustic fishing villages.

Fisherman, Ibo Island, Mozambique
Ibo Island, Mozambique
Dhow, Ibo Island, Mozambique
Mozambique
Yacht charter, Ibo Island, Mozambique
Ibo Island, Mozambique

What to expect on your Mozambique holiday

Mozambique’s tropical beaches benefit from this forgotten, desert-island ambience, with vast tranches of coastline remaining almost untouched by modern tourism. These stretches are interspersed with idyllic archipelagos, fantastic diving and handful of high-end retreats that offer total seclusion.

Ibo Island, Quirimbas, Mozambique
Mozambique
Snorkel, Ibo Island, Quirimbas, Mozambique
Mozambique

The archipelagos

Amongst these ocean escapes, it is the landscapes of the Quirimbas and Bazaruto archipelagos that stand out. The former lies in the northern part of the country, close to Pemba, whilst the latter is positioned more centrally, accessible via the quiet town of Vilanculos.

Both offer a scattering of sand-ringed tropical islands, with occasional mangroves tangled amongst ocean waters. They lie in coral-rich seas that shimmer turquoise under the Mozambican sun – perfect for diving, snorkelling and fishing. Secluded and unspoilt, these islands are timeless tropical gems where escape and exploration are the only distractions.

Freediver giving okay sign with dolphins behind, Ponta Malongane, Mozambique
Ponta Malongane, Mozambique
Bazaruto Island, Mozambique
Benguerra Island, Mozambique

Some ideas for a Mozambique holiday

  • Explore the Quirimbas Archipelago, offering superb diving and fishing, on a dhow safari
  • Discover the old colonial Portuguese town and fort on Ibo Island
  • Charter a catamaran and spend several days diving and fishing off St. Lazarus Bank
  • Travel with the entire family and escape to the exclusive villa of Colina Verde, on the Machangulo Peninsula
  • Retreat to the secluded Bazaruto Archipelago and spend time at beachside villas on Benguerra Island
  • Freedive with dolphins off the southern beaches, accompanied by champion freediver Hanli Prinsloo

Explore Mozambique

  • Bazaruto Archipelago
  • Quirimbas Archipelago
  • Southern Mozambique

Experiences

Tell us what you love doing and we’ll curate a journey that’s perfect for you.

Hanli beneath dolphins, Ponta Malongane, Mozambique
Mozambique

Freediving

Learn to freedive with Hanli Prinsloo and meet dolphins face to face, beneath the waves.

Freediving Blog

Machangulo Peninsula, Mozambique
Mozambique

Machangulo Peninsula

Explore the secluded but accessible Machangulo Peninsula, with its idyllic coastline.

Freediver giving okay sign with dolphins behind, Ponta Malongane, Mozambique
Mozambique

Swim with Dolphins

Swim with pods of wild dolphins off Ponta D’Ouro.

Freediving blog

Inhaca Island, Mozambique
Mozambique

Inhaca Island

Visit remote Inhaca Island and wander through its quiet village, which hides behind a labyrinth of mangroves.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Mantarays, Zavora, Maputo, Mozambique
Mozambique

Snorkelling Adventure

Swim, snorkel and dive in unspoilt marine reserves, which are alive with turtles, rays and tropical fish.

Suggested stay

Dolphins Surfing, Mozambique
Mozambique

Marine Wildlife

Spot some of the larger, mammalian creatures that frequent these warm waters, including dolphins, humpback whales and potentially, dugongs.

Suggested Holiday Idea

AeriAl view of boAt, AzurA BenguerrA IslAnd, BenguerrA IslAnd, MozAmbique
Mozambique

Helicopter Adventure

Take a helicopter ride above this idyllic archipelago, which sits off Mozambique’s Indian-Ocean coast.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Diving, Mozambique
Mozambique

Dive off Coral Reefs

Dive the tranquil waters that lie off Benguerra Island; spot turtles, reef fish and corals.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Dhow at sunset, Benguerra, Mozambique
Mozambique

Sunset Dhow Cruise

Cruise down this idyllic archipelago in a traditional dhow, as the sun sets over the sea.

Suggested lodge

Fish by reef, Mozambique
Mozambique

Underwater Adventures

Dive and snorkel off colourful corals that are alive with tropical fish.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

Machangulo Beach Lodge £££££

  • Mozambique
  • Beach and Island Escapes

Tucked away in southern Mozambique on the very edge of Machangulo Peninsula is Machangulo Beach Lodge. With a lagoon on one side and the ocean on the other, the lodge overlooks the channel that runs between Inhaca Island and the Bay of Maputo.

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White Pearl Resorts £££££

  • Mozambique
  • Beach and Island Escapes

White Pearl Resorts is on the south-east coast of Mozambique, just north of the South Africa/Mozambique border. This beachside escape is nestled in a sheltered white-sand bay. The 21 stylish white suites have private plunge pools, both indoor and outdoor showers, 24-hour butler service and in-suite dining is available.

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Azura Quilalea Private Island £££££

  • Mozambique
  • Beach and Island Escapes

Exclusively located on a private island within the Quirimbas Archipelago, its nine seafront villas are open plan and spacious with natural furnishings and pure African elegance. There are three categories to choose from: four Kaskazi Villas with fantastic views across the turquoise sea to Quirimba Island beyond, four Kusi Villas with an extra outdoor bush shower, and hammocks for relaxing and Villa Quilalea, an exceptional villa on a clifftop with an alluring plunge pool and breath-taking views over the Indian Ocean.

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&Beyond Benguerra Island Lodge £££££

  • Mozambique
  • Beach and Island Escapes

Benguerra Lodge is on the north-west side of Benguerra Island, just nine miles offshore from mainland Mozambique. Looking out onto the calm waters of an isolated bay, sheltered within a canopy of pine trees, the panoramic views of the Indian Ocean are spectacular. It is a bush and beach retreat with two cabanas and 10 casinhas. The rooms have a distinct Mozambican influence, combined with wide doors and windows, allowing for ocean views and private rim-flow pools set on wooden decks. Set under thatch, all rooms offer four-poster beds with white linen canopies.

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Ibo Island Lodge £££££

  • Mozambique
  • Beach and Island Escapes

Ibo Island Lodge is in the Quirimbas Archipelago of northern Mozambique, reached from Pemba via a scenic 30-minute flight over the Quirimbas National Park. This community-built lodge resembles the original ruins of the ancient Ibo mansions with metre-thick coral and lime walls, wide verandas, and oversized rooms. There are nine rooms with air-conditioning and large en suites featuring walk-in showers. Meals are served either indoors, on the rooftop terrace, or at the water’s edge with seafood being particularly good.

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Azura Benguerra Island £££££

  • Mozambique
  • Beach and Island Escapes

Positioned on the western coast of Benguerra Island in the Bazaruto Archipelago, the tropical retreat of Azura is accessed by a 10-minute helicopter flight over the turquoise Indian Ocean. A blend of modern chic and traditional Mozambique, the swish, beautiful villas look out over white sandy beaches and are a haven of relaxation with their own pool, private beach sala and a Mozambican butler-host service.

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Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Illona Cross

Born in a small South African town, I have always followed my passion for nature and discovery. After studying Nature Conservation in Pretoria, I was one of the first women to complete a very tough cadetship in the Natal Parks Board. It was here where I cut my teeth in African wildlife management.

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