 OTHER ACTIVITIES
SURFING
The Inhambane coastline has all the makings of a world class surfing destination, with an ideal mix of warm water, consistent swells and sandy headlands. In the south of the province Quissico has a hollow reef break but access is rather difficult. Jangamo Beach (also known as Guinjata Bay) has a crescent-shaped bay with a reef off the tip and under the correct conditions right-handers peel all the way to the shore
BIRD-WATCHING
Inhambane Province, with its great variety of habitats, is home to over 500 species of birds. The area around Inhambane Bay, particularly the various mud flats and the extensive mangrove swamps, is popular with bird-watchers. There is a resident population of about 250 greater flamingos and on the outgoing tide whimbrels, turnstones and many other waders work the mud flats. The mangroves near Barra are home to egrets, purple-banded sunbirds and mangrove kingfishers. The stretches of dune forest that remain along the coast harbour the lilac-breasted roller, Burchell’s coucal and grey and olive sunbirds. Ospreys, fish eagles, olive bee-eaters, narina trojans, flamingos and numerous seabirds and waders are a common sight. A highlight for avid bird-watchers is a sighting of the crab plover, a visitor from September to April.
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 Tofo Beach Cottages offers a selection of 7 self-catering cottages, spread throughout Tofo and Tofino. Some of the cottages are adjacent to each other, e.g. Casa (2) Gideon, Casa (3) Christa and Casa (4) Lene, which offers the flexibility when accommodation is required for a large group.
Tofo Beach Cottages is professionally managed by TOFO TRAVEL LDA, a local agency responsible for the management of several tourism establishments in Tofo. Jo (the owner-manager) and Raule see to the well-being of our guests and that all their requirements are attended to.
The cottages are equipped and serviced with a view to cater for families, ranging in size between 4 and 8 persons. Each of the respective cottages is uniquely styled and offers a home-like atmosphere where “you can do your own thing”. The cottages offer the basic facilities, as would be expected when going self-catering, e.g. cutlery, crockery, bedding and furnishing … nothing extravagant … just typical South African home-like where you can wear shorts, go bear feet and have supper when you feel like it.
Each cottage has a cleaner (cum butler) who’s job it is to make your stay as memorable as possible, e.g. makes the beds, does the dishes, sweeps the floors, assists you in negotiating the best buy of fresh fish, prawns, calamari and crayfish from the beach and also cleans the fish, helps prepare food, even join you as guide to town (Inhambane) and nearby places of interest (e.g. Barra, Paindane, Praia da Roche, Coconut Bay), etc.
The only task they are not allowed to do is washing and ironing of clothes, for which they can assist in finding you someone who could do that at a modest fee. The cottages are also serviced by a group of guards, whose job it is to keep a watchful eye during night-time and to ensure that your privacy is not compromised.
TOFO AND TOFINO BEACH
About 17 km east of Inhambane is where Bar Babalaza marks the crossroads to Tofo and Barra. Tofo is a small (about 40 houses) beach town, with a hotel and other accomodation, a lovely open beach, nice reefs for fishing and snorkling, spazas, beach bars and dive schools, where you can slow down your pace of life, do nothing, relax and just leave your footprints. Tofo has been popular with Zimbabweans and South Africans since before the war and Tofo has now also become a firm favourite on the international backpacking trail and offers a variety of accommodation and places to eat and drink. Tofino, less than a kilometre south, is situated on a more exposed and rocky headland and the waves at Tofino are known for very good surfing. The headland is also a favourite spot for fishermen when a high tide covers the shelf, allowing casting for the plentiful kingfish into the deep waters beyond. Tofino is also the site of the Frelimo Monument to Fallen Heroes, near to where unfortunate victims of the colonial period were thrown into a sea cave, to be drowned by the rising tide. A spectacular blow hole near the tip of the point can give a raw display of power, when there is a large swell running.
BEACHES
The shores of Inhambane are blessed with numerous world-class beaches. Many are palm-fringed, with wide expanses of powdery, white sand, washed by the warm blue waters of the Indian Ocean. Featuring broad bays, sheltered lagoons, rocky headlands and wide deserted expanses, they are a sunbathers’ dream, created for relaxation. Some of the best-known are in close proximity to the city of Inhambane.
DIVING
The warm, clear waters and abundance of sea life that inhabit the coral reefs make this area a paradise for divers. Snorkeling and scuba diving are the best-developed activities and spear fishing is also catered for. Following Tofo, some of the better-known mainland spots are Paindane, Jangamo, and Barra, as well as Morrungulo and Pomene further north. The world famous Manta Reef is close by Tofo. This stretch of coastline offers the ultimate drive and dive experience. The turquoise waters hold a vast number of game and tropical fish species as well as a variety of beautiful corals and rare marine creatures including dugongs, whale sharks, and turtles.
Conditions compare favourably with those of the Caribbean or Great Barrier Reef but are far less crowded and not nearly as commercialised. Water temperatures range from 24°C (in mid-winter) to 31°C. Visibility is generally between 5 and 35 meters with 15 meters being the year-round average. Gin-clear conditions occur frequently, both along the coast and around the islands. Most lodges hire snorkeling equipment and arrange diving excursions. The more up-market resorts offer courses ranging from Resort and Open Water to Advanced Diver. Many also have their own dive shops where a full range of equipment can be hired or bought. Diversity Scuba located in Tofo town centre is recommendable. Please visit diversityscuba@teledata.mz
FISHING
The Mozambique coastline is renowned for its offshore game fishing and Tofo is at the heart of the action. The pristine, blue waters abound with king mackerel (baracouta), dorado, wahoo, various species of kingfish, bonito and yellow-fin tuna. The sailfish season peaks from June to August. Boats can be launched or chartered from Tofo beach. Summer is the best time if it is marlin you are after. Catch and release of all fish that will not form part of the evening meal is encouraged as is protection of all other natural resources and the environment.
Launch sites are carefully designated and vehicle access to beaches is strictly controlled. Angling from the shore can also be most productive. Small kingfish (2 to 3 kg) can be found from the rocks off Tofino, particularly towards high tide, and at deep water spots anything can happen (Adrie Prinsloo of Glassfit Witbank holds the Tofo record of 48 kg for a Kingfish caught off the rocks at Tofino). Kingfish, stump nose and pompano are taken from the sandy beaches between Tofo and Tofino. Salt water fly fishing is becoming increasingly popular, particularly off the sandbars at Tofo point.
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 2009 RATES
IN SEASON
Casa 1 (Quentin) sleeps 6
ZAR 1 000
Casa 2 (Gideon) sleeps 8
ZAR 1 250
Casa 3 (Christa) sleeps 6
ZAR 1 000
Casa 4 (Lene) sleeps 4
R 700
Casa 5 (Willem) sleeps 6
ZAR 875
Casa 6 (Antjie) sleeps 8
ZAR 875
Casa 7 (Div) sleeps 5
ZAR 1 000
OUT OF SEASON
Casa 1 (Quentin) sleeps 6
ZAR 600
Casa 2 (Gideon) sleeps 8
ZAR 850
Casa 3 (Christa) sleeps 6
ZAR 600
Casa 4 (Lene) sleeps 4
ZAR 450
Casa 5 (Willem) sleeps 6
ZAR 450
Casa 6 (Antjie) sleeps 8
ZAR 450
Casa 7 (Div) sleeps 5
ZAR 600
Fees are quoted per cottage per night and a R500 key/breakages deposit (which is refundable) is payable. Fees include IVA @ 17%, which is similar to VAT in South Africa.
In-season corresponds with the South African school holidays and long weekends.
CURRENCY CONVERTER
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