Surfing in Mozambique is a proper African adventure. Long points work when the S swells push up here, and it’s all talcum-white beaches and uber-clear turquoise seas. We love it for the vibe of beach towns like Tofo, where it’s proper R&R between sessions on nice, peeling point breaks.
An introduction to surfing in Mozambique
Mozambique is an untapped surf frontier on the southeastern coast of Africa. With 2,500 kilometers of Indian Ocean coastline, it’s a playground that sucks up good SE and E swells over a relatively long season that lasts from April to September. There are some upcoming surf towns to get through, like Tofo. Mainly, though, it’s a land unchartered by surf maps that offers empty line ups galore.
Ponta do Ouro in the south offers playful, beginner-friendly beach breaks, while the central region’s Tofinho serves up adrenaline-pumping point breaks. The swells, primarily from the southeast and east, are consistent, and the offshore winds from the west create the perfect canvas for surfers when the winter is in full swing.
Tofo, a small town with a stunning spit of a beach, is the heart of Mozambique’s surf scene. You can linger there but remember it’s the gateway to greater Inhambane province, which is where we always point our noses when we jet in – think long, squiggling runs of East African shoreline with white-hued sands and endless sandbank waves, plus point breaks that love those SE pulses. A 4X4 and a sense of adventure really do help in these parts!
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
This guide is a part of our larger guide to the surf in Africa
Mozambique surf at a glance
The good:
The bad:
What will I find in this guide to surfing in Mozambique?
Where exactly is Mozambique?
Mozambique is a country located on the southeastern coast of Africa. It is bordered by Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west, Eswatini (Swaziland) to the southwest, South Africa to the south, and the Indian Ocean to the east. The capital city of Mozambique is Maputo, situated near the southern border with South Africa.
That’s the compass directions out of the way. On the surf front, the regions that will likely draw your attention the most lie furhter south. Specifically, we’re talking about Inhambane province, which occupies the most exposed bend in the coast of southern Mozambique – AKA it gets the cream of the S-SE swells.
The top surf destinations in Mozambique
The southern part of Mozambique is the place to look. Exposed to all the SE Indian Ocean swells, it’s the place that gets the brunt of the action. Further north, there’s rarely enough power for things to work up through the Moazambique Channel and still be workable.
The downside? There’s roughly 400 miles of 1,500 miles worth surfing. The upside? That 400 miles is pretty great.
Here are the key locations to know about…
Ponta do Ouro
The big horn-like headland at Ponta do Ouro creates the most famous point break in Mozambique. It’s got consistent right-hand waves due to regular southeast swells. Best at mid to high tide, thre are long rides off the take off over sandy bottom, keeping the water color a gleaming shade of turquoise. The wave is ideal for various skill levels and the preferred wind direction is from the west, yielding clean, glassy waves. Just be warned: Ouro is known for strong rips, so caution is necessary. Despite being a frequented spot, it’s less crowded than typical surf destinations though the neighboring town is on the rise as a beach destination.
We’ve got a full guide to Ponta do Ouro (coming soon)
Praia de Závora
Remote Praia de Závora is one you’ll have to work to reach. The reward is empty walls of water that close into a huge bay haloed with dunes. It’s stunning! The main point is a reef at the south end that can give the better rights, but there are fat wedges for shortboarders up and down the length. A 4X4 will make it easier to get here. It has a mixed bottom of sand and rock, and the quality of the wave can vary, but on a good day, it can produce a clean, shoulder- to head-high surfable wave. It is less crowded than many other surf spots, which is a bonus for those looking to avoid the lineup hustle. The best tide position for this break is mid to high tide. Wind direction also plays a significant role in wave quality. Offshore winds, which blow from the land towards the sea, are ideal as they create the best and cleanest surf conditions.
Tofo
The chances are, if you’re coming surfing in Mozambique, you’re coming to Tofo. This town is now firmly set in stone as the capital of surf in the country. It’s done that thanks to two very different breaks: Tofinho – a right point that can get gnarly – and Tofo Beach – a beginner haven. There’s a growing mix of pretty great surf hotels and surf schools in these parts, along with pretty downright luxurious coastal resorts like the Kumba Lodge, where you’ll be able to hop from the infinity pool to the sea.
Check out our full guide to Tofo, Mozambique’s main surf town, right here (coming soon)
Barra Beach
Usually listed as a part of Tofo town, since the surf schools there will track north to seek out the ultra-protected breaks here when it’s big swell time, Barra Beach is a lovely place to be. To be frank, it’s a bit more of a hammock-swinging R&R town than a surf destination, but certainly worth a look in for its crumbly rights off the main sandbar if you’re a complete beginner.
Best hotels for surfers in Mozambique
We focus in on the town of Tofo in this guide becuase we feel like it’s where the bulk of people heading to Mozambique will want to be for surfing. Plus, it’s got some seriously amazing coastal hotels and lodges; some – like Kumba – that are among the finest hotels we’ve seen in East Africa!
Kumba Lodge
We can’t think of a time we’ve seen a cooler pool than at Kumba Lodge. It runs a strip of blue before the Indian Ocean, which is just about the same color. It’s a luxury option that’s right on Tofo Beach and amazing for couples wanting to be pampered between surf sessions.
Liquid Dive Adventures
Liquid Dive Adventures has a fantastic location for surfers. The pad is also great, with a series of beachfront bungalows where you’ll sleep to the sound of the Indian Ocean waves lapping in. Great restaurant and cafe too!
Kitesurf Tofo House
We’re not usually ones for pushing kiter accomodations but the Kitesurf Tofo House does have a great vibe and a great location. It’s tucked almost midway between the point and Tofo Beach, so is a top option for all levels.
Step-by-step guide to planning your [yoast_kw] trip right now
Step one: Book flights to the [yoast_kw]…Lately, we like Omio for searching flights. It’s a nice interface and has lots of airline options. We also use Skyscanner because that sometimes offers deals that even beat going direct to the carrier!
Step two: Book your surf camp Book Surf Camps is the numero uno online booking platform for fully-fledged surf-stay packages on the internet right now. Then there’s Booking.com. That has consistently unbeatable rates for hotels and a nifty map feature that lets you check EXACTLY how close your hotel is to a surf break.
Step three: Get insuranceThis is kinda’ important. Not just for surf trips but for any trips. SafetyWing is great for nomad travelers. They offer rolling contracts that cover amateur surfing.
Step four (optional): Rent a car If you’re surf camping then you might not need wheels. If you’re not then we’ll just say this: We’ve never been on a surf trip that wasn’t improved by having our own car. Use RentalCars – they’re the best.
Step four: Enjoy!
When to surf in Mozambique?
The best time to surf in Mozambique is during its winter months, typically between April and October.
This is the period that coincides with the Indian Ocean’s winter swell, generated by strong southeast trade winds, which send consistent, long-period swells toward Mozambique’s coastline. The roaring 40s down in the Southern Ocean also play thier part, whacking up consistent S-direction pulses that help the point work like a charm here.
During these months, you’ll encounter offshore winds usually in the mornings, creating clean, glassy conditions These winds generally shift onshore as the day progresses. So, dawn patrol!
While Mozambique offers a variety of breaks suitable for all levels of surfers, remember that certain spots may become more challenging during the winter swell – Ouro and Zaviora among them. Beach breaks can produce faster, heavier waves, and point breaks may offer longer rides with more power.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!