Ask us about honeymoon options: we can set up a 'wedding list' style payment system...

See Gavin Parsons' article on diving Mozambique and South African safari which appeared in Diver magazine November 2007

MOZAMBIQUE: Ponta da Barra, Inhambane

Travelling to central Mozambique, enjoy some of the best encounters with Whale sharks and Manta rays in the world. You will also dive the cream of Mozambique’s reefs including Manta Reef, Amazon, The Office, Workshop, Giants Castle and Sherwood Forest amongst others. These are premier dive sites and are in pristine condition with large schools of fish showing absolutely no fear of divers. From June to September Humpback Whales enter the area, sometimes breaching near the dive boats. Whale sharks are around all year although from mid-October to May they are seen in greater numbers (in fact, between November and March the skippers have to slow right down to navigate around them!). Research is being carried out on the Mantas and it has recently been confirmed that this area has the highest number of recorded mantas in the world (to date over 350 individuals have been identified).

Day 1: You will be met at Inhambane Airport and transferred to Barra Lodge for 7 nights. 

Days 2-6: Dive the reefs around Barra, 2 dives per day. 

Day 7: Spend the day relaxing or exploring. 

Day 8: Transfer to the airport.

Prices from: £580 excluding flights

Includes: road transfers; 7 nights Barra Lodge (dinner, breakfast); 10 dives including cylinders and weights (surcharge for further reefs payable locally)

Notes: UK passport holders require a visa to enter Mozambique, currently GB£40 from the Mozambique High Commission in London or US$25 at the border. Mozambique is a malaria country.

A few minutes drive from Barra Lodge is Flamingo Bay Water Lodge, Barra's younger, more glamorous sister lodge!  Built along the lines of a Maldivian water village with stilted accommodation over the lagoon, the rooms have en suite facilities and air conditioning.  Diving is done from Barra Dive Centre, a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre. Flamingo Bay makes a stunning honeymoon setting, especially when combined with a trip to Cape Town. Please enquire.

150kms north of Inhambane lies the unspoilt Pomene Bay and Pomene Lodge, situated in an eco-nature reserve. This is an unspoilt area with beautiful beaches set against a mangrove area. The road to Pomene is mildly challenging being un-tarred and a 4-wheel drive vehicle is essential (or light aircraft transfer). However, far from detracting from its appeal it makes up the adventure of visiting this area! This is one of the few areas in Mozambique when wild animals can be seen on land and they include monkeys, baboons, small antelope and bird species. A sunset cruise along the estuary makes a lovely end to the day. The rare Dugong lives in these waters, as does a pod of Humpback dolphins. Pomene Lodge is owned by Barra Lodge and they can arrange transfers by air and road between the two lodges (or Flamingo Water Lodge). A visit to Pomene can be combined with a holiday to Inhambane to give you the best diving Mozambique offers: a combination of the big and the beautiful! 

Please note that accommodation is 'rustic' and the setting means some walking between the rooms, restaurant/bar and dive centre is necessary however it really is an 'away from it all' experience and highly recommended, if only for a few days before returning to the more luxurious Barra Lodge or Flamingo Bay Water Lodge!

Barra Lodge, Inhambane:

Barra has secluded, unspoilt beaches, bordered by the Inhambane estuary on one side and the sea on the other. The lodge is nestled among groves of coconut trees, all rooms have exquisite beach and sea views and en suite facilities.

Flamingo Bay water Lodge, Inhambane:

Flamingo Bay Water Lodge is situated on stilts in the crystal clear waters of Flamingo Bay in the Indian Ocean. All rooms have air conditioning, en suite facilities and private deck overlooking the lagoon.

Pomene Lodge, Pomene Bay:

From every accommodation site you are no more than one minutes walk from the white beach sand and the warm Indian Ocean. Accommodation is 'rustic' in individual casitas with en suite facilities.

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