Inhambane
Tofo
Manta rays, whale sharks and a beach village that has kept its character.
Tofo is a wide crescent of sand backed by dunes, about 20 km from Inhambane town, and it has been a fixture on the diving map for decades. Offshore, cleaning stations at Manta Reef and Giants Castle draw reef and giant manta rays year round, and whale sharks feed along the coast — most often between October and March.
The village runs on the ocean. Dive centres and marine research projects sit alongside a small market square where women sell fruit, samosas and capulanas. Ocean-safari boat trips leave from the beach through the surf, which is an experience in itself.
Barra, a short drive north, is quieter, with a lighthouse, mangroves and a long sandy point.
Things to do
- Manta Reef and Giants Castle
- Whale shark ocean safaris
- Tofo market
- Barra and the lighthouse
- Tofinho point
Gallery
Where to stay
Where to eat
Festivals and seasons
Nearby
Inhambane
Inhambane Town
One of the oldest towns on the East African coast, still built around a working dhow harbour.
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Inhambane
Vilankulo
The gateway to Bazaruto: a wide tidal bay, dhow sails on the horizon and an easy, sociable town.
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Inhambane
Bazaruto Archipelago
Five dune islands in a protected national park — turquoise channels, towering sand ridges and dugongs.
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Inhambane
Inhassoro
A quiet fishing town north of Vilankulo, the closest launch point for Santa Carolina.
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