Mozambique has the longest stretch of Indian Ocean coastline in Africa, more than 1,500 miles of unspoilt beaches, fabulous dive and snorkelling spots, and some superb beachside hotels and resorts. Ilha de Mozambique is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but there are many other less well known sites which are equally magical.
The White Pearl resort is a slice of heaven, set beside the sandy dunes of southern Mozambique. Each of the luxurious suites is built into the hillside to make the most of the ocean views, and you will fall asleep to the sound of the waves lapping against the shore. It is a place primarily to come for relaxation, but if you do get fidgety sitting around, White Pearl offers sea safaris, pinnacle reef diving, and turtle watching too.
Some of the finest dive sites in East Africa are along the Mozambican at Nuarro. The lodge here is backed by wild bush, and mile and a half long beach with perfect white sand stretches out to the front. There are dive courses for beginners, and more advanced divers can explore the reef at their leisure. The house reef is just a couple of hundred feet from the beach, and it is packed with butterfly fish and damsel fish, crabs, lobsters and brittle stars. And yes, fresh seafood is always on the menu!
The Praio do Tofo is also a superb beach destination for those interested in Mozambique’s marine wildlife. Here you can swim amongst the manta ray, whale and leopard shark, and also watch pods of whale from the beach or out on a boat trip. The Marine Megafauna Foundation has a research base here, undertaking important conservation research, and the sunset cruises in traditional wooden dhows are a dream.