Inhaca Island
Situated almost 25 miles (40km) off the coast of
Maputo, Inhaca Island is an immensely popular African resort
destination. It boasts beautiful beaches, some of the Mozambique
Channel's best coral reefs, a historic lighthouse, a marine biology
museum, and large areas of protected forest.
Easily accessible from the capital, it's a favourite
among snorkelers and divers who usually head for the reefs at Santa
Maria, the lighthouse, or the surrounding sunken wrecks. The Santa
Maria reefs have strong drift currents running parallel to the
shore.
They're fantastic for snorkelling, while the Wall is
a rocky ledge that drops some 66 feet (20m) to the bottom,
harbouring numerous caves and ledges filled with a variety of
marine life. Game fishing and water sports like water skiing,
parasailing, windsurfing, sea kayaking, and sailing are also
popular on the island.
Beautiful beaches ring Inhaca, visitors can enjoy a
sunset cruise or take boats across to the deserted island. The
resort has a tennis court and swimming pool, with excursions
available to the biology station, lighthouse beach, the mangrove
swamps, and the Santa Maria Wall.
Restaurants are mostly limited to the lodge. However,
the nearby village has a takeaway burger stand and an attached
seafood restaurant, as well as a few small shops selling typical
tourist tat like sarongs and seashells. There is no real nightlife
on the island, though the lodge has a bar.
Many tourists find a visit to Inhaca Island a
pleasant way to spend time while in Maputo. However, visitors
should be prepared to pay dearly for every service on the island,
including a tourist tax levied the second you step off the boat.
Swimmers should also take care, as the bluebottles occasionally
inundate the beach.