Inhaca

Introduction:

Inhaca Island is a small inhabited island in Mozambique which offers a variety of breathtaking beaches, coral reefs and exotic marine life. The island encompassess large areas of unspoiled evergreen forest and bush land.

Vast areas of the Island's shores have been protected as natural reserve since 1976, affording a unique and immaculate environment to enjoy. The four broad shores have a large tidal range, several degrees of shelter and salinity, different temperature maxima and numerous layers of rock.

As a result, communities are very diverse. The coral reefs are easily accessible as well as sea meadows, mangrove swamps, rocks and sand flats. The dunes also cover a spectrum of habitats, some being exposed to erosion by wind or by sea. The reefs around the islands are the most southerly in Africa.

Biological station :

As stated before, some of the shores have been protected as natural reserves, since 1976. These areas are within a days walk of the Biological Station (with laboratories and accommodation) that was built in 1951. Recently it has become an international research centre.

The Universidade Eduardo Mondlane in Maputo, has maintained a strong connection with Inhaca Island for a long time. The Marine Biological Station and its marine and terrestrial reserves are under the direct administration of the Faculty of Biology.

The station has been visited by numerous students from many countries, in order to get practical experience in the field for various courses such as biology, ecology, geography and marine sciences.

Activities:

• Explore the long white
• sunny beaches
• Snorkel in the azure blue seas
• Scuba dive along the coral reefs
• Excellent fishing opportunities
• Relax at the hotel pool side
• Enjoy the lazy pace of Africa
• Professional watersport facilities
• Marvellous birdwatching (over 200 recorded species).

Accommodation:

Stay in one of the comfortable chalets at the INHACA ISLAND LODGE, set in the midst of tropical gardens. Visit the local village market, with stalls set out under mango trees, or enjoy a drink at the village bar. The lodge offers exciting day trips to Ilha dos Portugueses (swimming) and Ponta Torres (snorkelling).

Access:

It is quite easy to access the Island from Maputo by a daily scheduled boat service, or a short flight. The island of Inhaca is about 35km from Maputo and from there it is possible to visit nearby Portuguese Island, Xefina and Santa Maria point.

Location:

Situated more or less 37 km of the Mozambican capital of Maputo, on the periphery of a large estuarine bay in the Indian ocean.