ABOUT:
Historically a Portuguese colony discovered around the 1500’s, The Republic of Mozambique can be found on the south eastern coast of Africa, hugged by the warm Indian Ocean.
This kitesurfer’s paradise is not for the feint hearted, with a hairy commute there and dirt/sand roads connecting one small village to the next (4×4’s recommended). But you’ll be rewarded in this tropical palm-tree dotted paradise with warm weather, warm water, uncrowded spots, friendly locals and white sand beaches that go on forever.
If that’s not enough, this eco-rich environment offers a wide variety of activities such as scuba diving, fishing, swimming with dolphins, surfing… you can even go on safari in next door country Durban, just a few hours’ drive away.
WINDY VIBES: 12-18 knots (Sometimes 20 knots)
WATER TEMP: (wetsuit advice):
Warm water most of the year round dictates minimal wetsuit necessity! At most, you may need a spring suit at times, but generally speaking, you’ll be fine in boardies and rash vest. Water temperature ranges between 23ºC | 73ºF in winter, and 29ºC | 84ºF in summer.
SPECIFIC SPOTS:
Maputo (the capital) bay offers some cool shallow water – great for beginners.
Ponto do Ouro has a point break, as well as a flat inside section and 6km’s of beach – cool for rigging. Popular with surfers, you’ll need to play nice and share! A few beach bars and even a club reputed to have cell phone signal, you may want to base yourself at Ponto d’Ouro, and travel north and south daily.
Ponto Malongane is in a small bay, with a crosshore North Easter.
WHY GO THERE?
Miles of unspoilt and uncrowded beaches, friendly locals who are happy to share their knowledge over a beer, balmy tropical weather… what’s not to like?
when to go there? Cyclone season (December-April) brings some pretty consistent wind, though some sites have said that Nov-Jan is their no-wind season and is super hot and humid (take a SUP just in case).
HOW TO GET THERE:
Nearest airport is OR Tambo airport (Johannesburg/Gauteng) in South Africa. You’ll need to hire a 4×4 to drive the rest of the way. Visas are necessary – you’ll need to check whether you can still get these at the border.
HEADS UP:
Like most warm water spots, there are sharks.
Take decent sun protection.
Don’t even contemplate doing this trip without a 4×4.
Sea urchins galore – don’t walk barefoot on the rocks!
Cell phone signal is difficult – you’ll need to climb the nearest hill.
Mozambique is historically a war ravaged country – don’t veer too much into the bush (landmines).
(If you’d like to advertise your Mozambique accommodation/kitesurf school, check out this page).
And if that wasn’t enough to urge you to go, check out the two Mozambique Travel Stories below, which appeared in Gust Mag some time back.
