At present, the Quirimba Islands are closed for tourism but we will keep you updated as soon as anything changes.
For all of its off-the-beaten-track splendour and endless miles of sand with not a sun lounger in sight, Mozambique is also home to some of the continent’s swankiest beach hotels and lodges. Undeniably fabulous, these top-end pads can cost a pretty penny and are certainly not conducive to planning a budget beach holiday. So, where can you go to enjoy the country’s peachy beaches without spending an entire year’s rent? We’ve come up with our top wallet-friendly hotels for the best Mozambique budget beach holiday you could dream of… Read on!
1. Bahia Mar
Vilanculos
If you like your boutique hotels small, friendly, supremely stylish and with stunning views to gaze at whilst sipping on umbrella-ed cocktails, you’ve come to the right place. Sprawling amid tropical gardens, twelve-room Bahia Mar has picture-perfect ocean vistas from just about every corner, as well as a wellness spa, infinity pool and a healthy roster of activities. Its location, just to the northeast of the bustling town of Vilanculos, also make the hotel a great base for exploring the world-renowned Bazaruto Archipelago – without the accompanying price tag.
From £90 person/night.
2. Travessia Beach Lodge
Inhambane
With miles and miles (and miles) of white sand stretching as far as the eye can see and only four, eco-chic chalets scattered amongst the craggy dunes, Travessia is a unique beach retreat that should cost a whole lot more than it actually does. Whilst exclusivity is the name of the game, the lodge is wonderfully chilled-out and there’s not a whiff of Wifi to get in the way of your beach lounging. Even better, the price per night includes feasts of freshly-grilled Mozambican prawns, Portuguese paella, and lobsters bigger than your head.
From £120 person/night
3. Coral Lodge 15.41
Nampula & surrounds
Unique, tasteful and overlooking one of the most beautiful beaches in Mozambique, Coral Lodge is a soothing sanctuary in a nutshell. Perched on the tip of a peninsula, minutes away from Ilha de Mocambique, the surrounding area is a dedicated nature reserve and jam-packed with unexplored beaches, dunes and mangroves that are all yours for the taking. How’s that for a Mozambique beach holiday on a budget with a difference?
From £170 person/night.
4. Ibo Island Lodge
Quirimbas
Staying on Ibo is not going to make for the most budget of beach holidays in Mozambique – but when the island looks like this, it’s worth stretching your budget. A remote idyll, lost in time and all but forgotten to the outside world, the island itself is one of the most magical and atmospheric places on the continent. Add Ibo Island Lodge, with its centuries-old, waterfront villas, romantic rooftop terraces, and tropical gardens overflowing with chunky palm trees, and this is a destination that’s worth every one of your hard-earned pennies…
From £270 person/night.
5. Villa Sands
Nampula & surrounds
Ilha de Moçambique, the original capital of Mozambique, is a tiny sliver of an island that brims with culture, history and an exotic melange of Portuguese, Indian and Arabic cultures. But don’t overlook it for a beach holiday on a budget either – the island is dotted with secluded crescents of sand, just waiting to be explored by dhow, bike or on foot, and recently, a variety of pretty beach hotels have popped up along the shores. Try Villa Sands for size, a sleek and sophisticated guesthouse that combines all the best bits of an island getaway with a spot of culture too.
From £60 person/night.
6. Chuiba Bay Lodge
Pemba
If you’ve heard the stories about the dazzling diving opportunities in Mozambique’s Quirimbas Archipelago but can’t quite justify the price tag, check out Pemba instead. Often called the ‘Gateway to the Quirimbas’, the translucent waters are a hotspot for diving, snorkelling and, further afield, big game fishing, all of which are on offer at the splendid Chuiba Bay Lodge. And if all you want is a bit of R&R, there’s 10 hectares of untouched vegetation, coastal forests and pristine beaches in which to find a quiet corner.
From £110 person/night.
7. Casa Rex
Vilanculos
Easily accessible from South Africa and with a great choice of accommodation ranging from bandas and beach resorts to boutique boltholes, the vibrant town of Vilanculos has long been a favourite for Mozambique beach holidays on a budget. An excellent choice is Casa Rex, a homely, ocean-side sanctuary with fabulous views of the Bay of Vilanculos and a stone’s throw from the bars and restaurants of the town. And if you fancy a spot of diving in the Bazaruto Archipelago, it’s a mere dhow-trip away…
From £90 person/night.
8. Nuarro Lodge
Nampula & surrounds
Nestled among the dunes on the breathtakingly beautiful Nanatha Half Moon Bay in central Mozambique, even Nuarro Lodge’s location sounds dreamy – and when you arrive, you really will wonder whether you’ve nodded off and woken up in a reverie. An eco-lodge with a hyper-local conscience, Nuarro is a remote paradise where humpback whales and dolphins swim past as you munch on freshly-caught fish and the diving is out of this world – and none of it will break the bank.
From £190 person/night.
