POMENE

The signposted turn off to Pomene is 12km after Massinga, via the dusty little town of Rio das Pedras. A 4x4 is necessary to negotiate the 55km trek down a sandy track to this spectacular beach. Situated within a marine reserve, the scenic beauty of the wide bay and tidal mangrove estuary will be ample reward for the long drive. Here you will see the ruins of a once famous colonial hotel and there is excellent snorkelling, diving, bird-watching and fishing on offer. Divestyle magazine rates Pomene's Zambia and Africa reefs as two of the best dive sites on the Mozambican coast. Before the war, fishermen spoke in hushed tones of Pomene's deep water point, one of the few places in Africa where sailfish have been caught from the shore. A long sandbar extends from the rocks down towards the mangrove estuary, offering long rides for surfers. Blow holes, rock pools and a bizarre cave linked to the sea make exploring the headland on the low tide a dream for the adventurous at heart.