Maputo & Southern Coast

Maputo, the beaches of the far south and the protected coast of Maputo National Park.

All Mozambique destinationsWhere to stay in Mozambique

Hero image: Ponta do Ouro — Claus Wonnemann, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Southern Mozambique is where many road trips from South Africa and Eswatini begin. Maputo, the capital, sits on Maputo Bay; south of the city the coast runs down to Ponta do Ouro and the South African border, and to the north the EN1 leads towards Bilene and Xai-Xai.

The region mixes city time, beach towns, island trips to Inhaca and the protected coastline of Maputo National Park, which covers land and sea south of Maputo Bay.

Main towns and places

Maputo

Maputo is Mozambique’s capital and largest city, set on Maputo Bay in the far south of the country. It is the main international gateway for the south and a natural first stop before heading to the beaches and parks nearby. Read the Maputo guide.

Ponta do Ouro

Ponta do Ouro is a small beach town in the far south of Mozambique, close to the border with South Africa. It is known for its surf beach and ocean activities, and it borders the protected coast of Maputo National Park. Read the Ponta do Ouro guide.

Maputo National Park

Maputo National Park protects coastal lakes, forest, wetlands and beaches south of Maputo Bay, together with the marine area off its coast. It was formerly known as the Maputo Special Reserve, and the park requires 4×4 vehicles on its sandy roads. Read the Maputo National Park guide.

Inhaca Island

Inhaca Island lies at the entrance to Maputo Bay, east of the capital. It is a common short escape from Maputo, reached by boat across the bay. Read the Inhaca Island guide.

Machangulo

The Machangulo Peninsula runs north towards Inhaca Island, separating Maputo Bay from the Indian Ocean. Its northern tip, near Santa Maria, faces Inhaca across a narrow channel. Read the Machangulo guide.

Bilene

Bilene sits beside the Uembje Lagoon, a large coastal lagoon separated from the sea by dunes, north of Maputo. Its sheltered water has long made it a weekend and holiday destination from the capital. Read the Bilene guide.

Xai-Xai

Xai-Xai is the capital of Gaza province, close to the mouth of the Limpopo River. The town’s beach area, Praia do Xai-Xai, lies a short distance away on the coast. Read the Xai-Xai guide.

Macaneta

Macaneta is a beach area on the peninsula north of Maputo, across the Incomati River. It is one of the closest ocean beaches to the capital. Read the Macaneta guide.

Chidenguele

Chidenguele is a small settlement in Gaza province between Xai-Xai and the Inhambane border. The coast nearby has lagoons and quiet beaches away from the busier resorts. Read the Chidenguele guide.

Destination guides in Maputo & Southern Coast

• Maputo — city
• Ponta do Ouro — coastal town
• Maputo National Park — national park
• Inhaca Island — island
• Machangulo — coastal peninsula
• Bilene — lagoon town
• Xai-Xai — town and beach
• Macaneta — coastal
• Chidenguele — coastal

Nearby regions