The dreamy islands of Mozambique and other Mozambique Things to Do Tips

Inhaca and Portugese Island are about 35km from Maputo.

Take one of the boattrips that departs from the Marina and spend a day at the islands.
We took Nau tours. The boat we were on had a problem so going back to Maputo took 3 hours instead of one. I got a bit irritated but my kids thought it was great fun.
Vodacom also has a boat called vodacom express that goes to Inhaca only.

Portugese Island is not developed and there is rarely any shade. So remember to take something for shade. The sun is hot.

The water has an amazing colour. Reminded me of Mauritius. There are no waves and it feels like an enormous warm pool. On the one side of the island is a coral reef where you can snorkel and look at all the beautiful fish.

Inhaca is developed and has locals living there.
It is much bigger than Portugese Island and only a few km from one another.

There is a hotel/resort where you can stay.

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I don't like to swim in the sea. If the water feels colder than bath water no thanks.
The water here is like luke warm bath water.
So for the first time in a while the kids got me in the water and it was stunning.

On one side of the island is a coral reef where you can see lovely fish, sea stars etc.

Because of the coral reef there are no waves and it feels like a gaint warm swimming pool.

No trees on the beach so take something for the sun. It is hot.

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Address: Portugese island

The entrance area is bad. I had the same experience in Mauritius. All the food and especially the fish is in the front part of the market. The fish is very fresh and very well priced but that smell. We looked quickly and moved on.
Luckily I had Sagers(see restaurant tip) to cook the calamari.

There is a lot of junk shops with typical western products. It's aimed at the locals because the mall is expensive.

I found one great little shops where I bought the nicest fans for less than R5 (15 000 metical). It's worth having a look and if you don't have Sagres to cook for you, get some nice prawns or calamari here.

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Going to the Mall for the first time we took the taxi. R100 later we realised it is not even an hour's walk. We walked again the next day taking a different road. On these roads I found all the nice pic's (see off the beaten path tips) of exciting building styles.

You get a feel of the people when you walk. The sidewalks are a bit congested. There are tons of entrepeneurs selling their stuff.
It is such a poor country so I felt good for them. At least they are earning an honest living.

I bought a little something here and there. They are very cheap.

The city is not very clean and there are those big blue rubbish containers everywhere and very full. Cleaning up is not a priority.

We got a feel of the city that you would not get taking the taxi from one spot to the other.

In summer it is just very hot so use the sunscreen, sunglasses and hats.

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Address: The city of Maputo

I found the sea at Maputo had a grey/ brown colour. Gary said it could have been because it rained quite heavily in the north the week before. But the beaches are not that clean either. We walked on the beach (with shoes) and it is a beautiful view over the ocean.

Luckily the Holiday Inn had a great pool and you had an excellent view from the pool. So we had the beach but also the comfort of the pool chairs and the a sprakling blue pool.

For swimming and beach days rather take a trip to Inhaca and Portugese Islands.

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On one of our walking excursions a beer became necessary. The Polana was close by. What a beautiful place. The gardens are exquisite. Have a beer in the very nice bar and take a walk through the gardens.

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Address: AVENIDA JULIUS NYERERE 1380
Website: http://www.serenahotels.com/mozambique/polana/home.htm