Ocean

Dhow Trips

Sail the archipelagos on the wooden boats that have worked this coast for centuries.

The dhow is the Indian Ocean's oldest working boat, and along the Mozambican coast it is still built and sailed by hand. Day trips out of Vilankulo cross to Bazaruto and Benguerra; in the Quirimbas, dhows thread between Ibo, Matemo and Quirimba through mangrove channels. Departures depend on wind and tide rather than a timetable — which is part of the appeal.

Destinations — Dhow Trips

Cabo Delgado

Ibo Island

A Swahili-Portuguese stone town in the Quirimbas, with three fortresses and a living silversmith tradition.

Discover

Cabo Delgado

Quirimbas Archipelago

Around thirty coral islands, mangrove channels and reefs, protected within a national park and a UNESCO biosphere reserve.

Discover

Inhambane

Inhassoro

A quiet fishing town north of Vilankulo, the closest launch point for Santa Carolina.

Discover

Inhambane

Bazaruto Archipelago

Five dune islands in a protected national park — turquoise channels, towering sand ridges and dugongs.

Discover

Inhambane

Vilankulo

The gateway to Bazaruto: a wide tidal bay, dhow sails on the horizon and an easy, sociable town.

Discover