Coastal Paradise

Vilanculos is a coastal town in the Inhambane province of Mozambique which is located on the southeast coast of Africa. Along with boasting pristine beaches and crystal-clear cerulean waters, this coastal town provides a gateway to the Bazaruto Archipelago, a cluster of 6 islands. Many activities can be done in Vilanculos including scuba diving, fishing, dhow safaris, dolphin watching and much more.

My time spent here was brief, but oh, so enjoyable. I stayed at the Bahia Mar Boutique Hotel. This hotel, strategically located, provided extraordinary views of where the Indian Ocean meets the pristine white sands of the mainland. Along with a seaside-facing room, which allowed for being lulled to sleep by the gentle crash of the waves on the shoreline and waking up to breath-taking ocean views, my room was beautifully adorned and well-decorated.

During my stay, I was taken on a brief tour through a village in the area. We strolled by some of the houses where the locals were busy making ‘Matapa’, a truly Mozambican dish made from stewed cassava leaves, ground peanuts, garlic and coconut milk. As we moved from the homes to the village’s local market, the streets became alive and vibrant as locals were swarming the market area. The village market sold anything from arts and crafts to vegetables and that morning’s fresh catch of the day! The locals were incredibly friendly, open and inviting, greeting me as I walked past them.

When my time in the village came to an end, I headed back to my hotel and concluded the day with a walk on the beach watching as the sun’s final rays vanished over the ocean’s lapping waves. This is the magical seaside town known as Vilanculos.