A day in the untouched, natural paradise | Inhaca Island boat tour
Inhaca Island, Santa Maria, Inhaca Lighthouse, Coral reserve
4.0/5
100% of guests recommend
Duration
7 Hours
Tour Type
Island Hopping
Group Size
24 persons
Location
Maputo
Overview
An untouched, natural paradise
Venture off the beaten track to find a natural paradise unaffected by civilisation. Santa Maria, Inhaca Island and Portuguese Island are drenched in stretches of wild, beautiful beaches and coral reef favoured by divers, snorkelers, nature lovers and those wanting to have fun.
Approximately an hour from Maputo sits the coastal paradise of Inhaca Island, known for its magnificent coral reefs and stunning beaches. Located along a beautiful coastal forest and mangrove swamps, this tour is by boat and has a cocktail of adventure.
Africabooking provides an unforgettable experience in this amazing island, with the Inhaca Island boat tour. Price Includes all the meals, drinks, snacks, and many surprises. This trip includes a visit and snorkeling at one of Santa Maria`s coral reefs, lunch at Inhaca Village where freshly caught fish will be served to your table and an afternoon at Portuguese island beach.Don’t forget to bring your camera, towel, sun screen and snorkeling gear! We will take care of conservation fees, shade, snacks and drinks 🙂
In the morning we will discover the beauty of that region do engaging some activities like norkelling, water-skiing, fishing, relaxing on the beach or by the pool. There are also tours to Portuguese Island, Santa Maria Island or Turtle Island as well as excursions to the lighthouse and the Museum of Marine Biology.
We will then take the boat to the village and have a wonderful lunch of fresh sea food. We meet the local dancers from Associação Juvenil and you will be amazed of what you can also do when properly guided
We will spend the afternoon at Ilha dos portugueses, playing some beach sports until we take the speed boat back to Maputo, where we arrive around 6 PM.
Join the joyride with our day trips to Inhaca Island from Maputo
Starting point of this tour is at the Maputo Waterfront restaurant where the speed boat departs at 07:30am.
The journey is approximately an hour from Maputo to the paradisiacal island and the rest of the day is at your own leisure..
A private boat will take you to Inhaca island and Santa Maria/Ponta Torres (if weather is favourable).
Available accommodation options
What to pack:
Pack a hat, sunblock, a jersey and windbreaker, as the trip back can be windy and wet.
- The islands are about 15 minutes apart when travelling by boat.
- The return leg to Maputo could take slightly longer due to choppy seas, and timing is tide-dependent.
- Guests will be required to wade through shallow water at various disembarkation points along the route, so please ensure you wear shorts and flip-flops.
Included/Excluded
Sea food lunch
Drinks and Snacks
Island and Reservation fees
Speed Boat Transfer
Africabooking Trip Guide
Extra Alcoholic Beverages
Any Private Expense
Itinerary
Santa Maria Beach
Santa Maria Beach
Located in the southern part of Inhaca. It’s an unforgettable excursion for those who visit the island and it could not be missing on our list of things to do in Inhaca Island. It constitutes a jaw-opening marine reserve, with enormous diversity of fauna and coral reefs; providing fantastic snorkeling experiences in its crystalline waters.
You can also make a walk along the deserted beach that gives access to a magnificent view of the peninsula of Machangulo, separated from the island.
Island of the Portuguese
Island of the Portuguese
The island of the Portuguese is a small island located about 200 meters northwest of the island of Inhaca, at the entrance of Maputo Bay.
The island is uninhabited and therefore provides an intimate and silent environment, wrapped in a huge expanse of deserted beach and warm waters. It has a small lagoon where there is a formation of corals of great beauty and relatively protected.
Historically, this islet was important because it constituted a commercial warehouse, where the Europeans and the Africans made their exchanges, from the sixteenth century until the construction of the pier of Lourenço Marques, in the late nineteenth century.
Inhaca Maritime Biology Museum
Inhaca Maritime Biology Museum
The Inhaca Maritime Biology Museum is one of those experiences you will not want to miss. This is an attractive destination where you can meet a wide and diverse range of animal species, marine life and all kinds of plant species available throughout the island.
The Inhaca Maritime Biology Station, where the museum is located, is a center of excellence and an international reference for research on marine biodiversity.
Fishing
Fishing
Fishing opportunities abound around Inhaca Island for every type of enthusiast with a number of world class spots to choose from. Boat and skipper are available with local guides allowing you to easily go for a wonderful fishing expedition. It is better to bring your own tackle however they do have. There are also smaller local fishing outfitters that will take you on great trips.
Whether you prefer to trawl, jig, spin, or fly fish, some of the most exciting game fishing may be found around Inhaca – Various species of Kingfish including the elusive Giant Kingfish (Caranx Ignobilis), Barracuda, Dorado, Sierra, Queenfish, Wahoo, Job, Yellow fin tuna and Sailfish amongst others, not forgetting of course the magnificent Black, Striped and/or Blue Marlin. Inhaca has also, for many years, been a favourite destination for fly fishing for that ever elusive Bone Fish.
Birdwatching
Birdwatching
Inhaca is home to about 300 bird species, both resident and migratory. Endangered species are the pink-backed pelican, lesser crested tern, crab plover, greater sand plover, Mongolian plover, Terek sandpiper, southern banded snake eagle, mangrove kingfisher, grey-rumped swallow and spotted ground-thrush. The southerly Nhaquene Swamp and Saco Bay are strongholds for the sooty falcon, while terns roost on northerly Portuguese Island 25°58′31″S 32°54′38″E. Bird species of limited distribution are Rudd’s apalis, Neergaard’s sunbird and pink-throated twinspot.
Visit the Coral reserve
Visit the Coral reserve
The coral reserve although technically on the Inhaca island is very close to Machangulo. This strip of coral wall about 500m long and 10m deep has an amazing amount of marine fauna and flora. It is run by the Parks board and has rangers that will charge you a small daily fee to snorkel or dive the area. Most people park a boat on the northern most beach above the coral wall and then sunbath and snorkel. It’s a great pace for small kids, novice and experienced swimmers and divers.
Inhaca Lighthouse
Inhaca Lighthouse
Built in the eastern part of the island, on the imposing Inhaca hill; its the largest lighthouse in the southern region of Mozambique and is one of the oldest lighthouses in the country. Its foundation was founded in 1894 to improve navigation safety along Maputo Bay. the Lighthouse keeper will take you to the top of the Lighthouse that boast stunning 360 degree views of the Ocean and Islands!
Remains of the M/S Tecumseh Ship which shipwrecked on Inhaca Island in 1932 can be seen from the lighthouse or beach.
Built in a hexagonal tower in concrete blocks, the 31-meter-high lighthouse provides a panoramic view of Inhaca Island, part of the Portuguese island, and the extensive water flow of the Indian Ocean.
For a more relaxing experience, a walk along the lighthouse beach allows you to discover the structure of the first lighthouse erected on the island and the remains one of the of old wrecks that have taken place throughout history.
Surfing
Surfing
Surfing can be great here. There are several reef points with an amazing right break which can cook when the wind is right. An amazing wooden house is nestled in the forest on the peninsula can be rented out and is perfect for a surfing family. The beaches are magnificent and good for a little beach break bodysurfing or boogey boarding.
Drink & Eat
Drink & Eat
Beach bar – great location on the beach. Cool music, great cocktails and nice barbecued seafood
Lucas – is one of the oldest and best. Lucas moved to Inhaca in the middle 80s and has been operating ever since. Great seafood and ambience
Veloza – this up and comer has built a lovely restaurant with a great vibe. He is the first person on the island to start making pizzas
Travel Styles
Cultural
Nature & Adventure
Marine
Activities
Tour Location
Inhaca Island, Santa Maria, Inhaca Lighthouse, Coral reserve
Reviews
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Z
Zélia Ailina Mahumane
07/20/2022 02:02
Inhaca ferry adventure
Beautiful island ,friendly people and getting there and back on the ferry is an adventure .lovely beaches and good restaurants .
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