
- Destinations
- Mozambique
- Vilanculos Beach Holiday
THE ‘GOT-IT-ALL’ MOZAMBIQUE COAST
Gateway to the islands of Bazaruto Archipelago, the coastal town of Vilanculos has taken advantage of its location to become great beach holiday destination. Long sandy beaches run for miles along the Indian Ocean coast, backed by palm and mangrove forests and looking out over clear blue water where dolphins and dugongs can be seen.
A Vilanculos beach holiday is not quite as exclusive as it is on Bazaruto or the more remote Quirimbas Archipelago. But the fact that you are not paying for access to these offshore islands means that it is usually more affordable – though there is certainly the top-end accommodation available. And if you are keen to do as much as possible, then the list of activities at Vilanculos lodges rivals if not outcompetes those of the islands: sailing, diving, snorkelling and deep-sea fishing as well as kite surfing, bird watching and horse-riding are among the most popular.
There’s great accommodation for families on the Vilanculos coast – ask us about lodges with kids activity clubs and child minders – as well as private villas for groups of friends travelling together; if it’s a honeymoon or romantic journey that you are planning, then Vilanculos has accommodation where you’ll find soothing spas, sumptuous suites and a table for two.
Vilanculos is easy to get to as well: the flight from Johannesburg’s OR Tambo Airport is under two hours which means you can add places like Cape Town or Botswana to your holiday, and it’s even less time if you fly to Vilanculos from Nelspruit, set outside the Kruger National Park. This convenient connection gives you the opportunity to enjoy Big 5 game viewing in the morning before kicking off your shoes and heading for the hammock for the afternoon.
The best time for a Vilanculos beach holiday is the same as it is for a safari in South Africa or Botswana: between May and September, which gives you the mildest and driest weather of the year. It is less comfortable in October and November as it gets hotter and the rainy season begins; Vilanculos is hot and humid over December and January and visitors can expect a thunder shower or two. It is even wetter in February and March – this is Mozambique’s hurricane season and it’s best to avoid travel to the coast at this time.
We’ve listed below our favourite things to do in Vilanculos as well as our recommended accommodation. You can browse our pre-packaged itineraries combining a big game safari with a Vilanculos beach holiday or simply contact us with an idea of what you would like to do and we’ll start the planning process with you.
TOP EXPERIENCES
A GREAT RANGE OF ACTIVITIES FOR EVERYONE

With dreamy suites looking out over beaches & sunsets, our range of Vilanculos lodges are perfect for travellers who want to unplug for a few days; book into the spa, order a bottle of something cold & settle into the hammock.

Vilanculos is great for water sports: sailing, kite surfing, water skiing, wind surfing & deep-sea fishing are all available here & it’s a short boat ride over to Bazaruto’s excellent dive sites – ask us about accommodation with a PADI Dive Centre.

Long sandy beaches, sheltered bays & a list of activities as long as your arm: Vilanculos is a family holiday playground & there are lodges available with large family chalets, baby sitters, free Wi-Fi & everything a child could want – from beach sports to movies with popcorn.

Saddle up & enjoy a horseback ride along the beach or grab a mountain bike & hit the beach on two wheels; there’s plenty to do if you’d like to stretch your legs & see a bit more of the Indian Ocean coast; alternatively, you can book a helicopter safari & see it the easy way.

A coastal setting means a diverse set of habitats & several of our recommended Vilanculos lodges are very good for bird watching, especially for species at the edge of their ranges. And if you go in season, you can also see some of the world’s biggest animals: humpback whales & whale sharks passing the Bazaruto Archipelago.

Experience the extraordinary with Safari Online, let us tailor-make your trip to Africa. Combine a Safari with a Beach Holiday.
ACCOMMODATION
OUR RECOMMENDED BEACH LODGES


