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Inhaca & Portugues Island

A paradise two steps away from the Mozambique coast

A Caribbean-like location in Africa 

A marvellous and rich sealife

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Inhaca & Portuguese Island/Inhaca Archipelago

Untouched beaches and crystal clear sea

The Island of Inhaca, a property of the British crown located about twenty miles from the port of Maputo, gifts MSC cruise-goers to Southern Africa one of the most Caribbean-like locations. Palm trees, spotless beaches, turquoise waters and a coral reed will greet you as soon as you disembark from your cruise ship.

The island, which guards the entrance to Delago Bay, is an extension of the strip of sand that encloses the gulf in front of the capital of Mozambique. During your holiday, you will understand why its beauty has been renowned at least since the mid-20th century, when it was decided to transform a good portion of the island’s interior into a forest reserve.

On Inhaca, regardless of whether you prefer the land or the sea, you will not be disappointed. The sea life off the island is marvellous and abundant: sea tortoises, dolphins, and colourful tropical fish, which live among the corals or wonder between the roots of the mangrove forests. A spectacle that is accessible both to scuba diving adepts and to those who dedicate themselves exclusively to snorkelling. A visit to the village of Inhaca, a few hundred meters from the beach, may also prove interesting.

Here you will find the local market, where you can purchase local craftwork and souvenirs, as well as bars and restaurants offering the flavourful fish-based local cuisine. The nearby Portuguese Island is completely uninhabited. It is not as rich in vegetation but still in line with the idea of a desert island. It can be reached with a quick ride in a motor boat or in a traditional show, boats with a triangular sail that have served as the primary means of transport along the entire African coast, to the Red Sea, the Gulf and India, for centuries.

Must see places in Inhaca & Portuguese Island

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    Mozambique

    Indulging in the shade of a baobab
    Indulging in the shade of a baobab

    A holiday to Mozambique means getting to know an authentic part of Africa which also has a strong Portuguese influence.

    It is a land which can mutate in just a few kilometres, from its white sands with the coral reef of the Indian Ocean, to its plateaus and mountains which almost reach 3000 metres, or to the legendary Rift Valley, the cradle of the human race, which lies in the centre of the country.

    Here, the population is cheerful and hospitable. The territory is shared by colonial cities and villages made up of huts, baobab and mangrove forests, unspoilt archipelagos and great natural reserves. Historically belonging to the Portuguese, on a cruise to Mozambique you will be struck by the charm of its inhabited colonial towns with palaces, fortresses and churches which are a medley of African, Arab and Indian influences.

    What strikes those who arrive by sea, however, are its 3000 km of coastline, which include some of the Africa's most beautiful beaches. It is a picture of a typical tropical holiday: white sands, crystal clear waters and palm trees gently swaying in the breeze. There are also islands to explore, real gems like Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque, Santa Carolina, or Inhaca. Places where divers and snorkelers alike will find plenty to do and see. The island’s marine life will make for some interesting excursions too with dolphins, humpback whales, dugongs (sea cows) and green and loggerhead sea turtles.