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Voykit pocket guide · Mozambique
Ibo
Ilha do Ibo
Spend 2 days on Ibo to see the historic forts and enjoy the quiet beaches; skip if you have less than a full day or high security alerts.
Ibo Island, part of the Quirimbas, offers colonial forts, mangrove walks and a few modest lodges. A short stay (2 days) covers the main sights and a beach break; longer trips are better spent on mainland Pemba or other Quirimbas islands.
- Country
- Mozambique
- Local name
- Ilha do Ibo
- Best months
- May–Nov (dry season, cooler seas)
- Avoid
- Jan–Mar (heavy rains, road closures)
- Stay
- 2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- MZN
- Money
- Currency is the Mozambican metical (MZN, MT). Cards work in Maputo and larger lodges; markets, small restaurants and transport are cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget MT 1,200–1,800 excl. bed · Mid MT 2,000–3,000 excl. bed · High MT 3,500–5,000 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Vodacom, Movitel and Tmcel are the networks; Vodacom has the widest coverage along the southern coast.
- Emergency
- Police 119 · Ambulance 117 · Fire 198
- Plugs
- Types C, F, M · 220 V · 50 Hz · South African large round-pin (M) common in the south; bring an adapter for both.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: About 10% if no service charge.; Dive crew: US$5–10 per day in the tip jar.; Lodge staff: US$5–10 per guest per day in the box.; Car guards: 20–50 MT.
- Water
- Not safe from the tap; lodges provide filtered water.
- Toilets
- Flush toilets in hotels and restaurants; basic outside towns.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Boat from Tandanhangue to Ibo | 150–200 MT |
| Meal at local restaurant (e.g., Benjamin’s) | 300–600 MT |
| Beer in bar | 150–250 MT |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- POL · Pemba Airport
- CR Aviation flies from Pemba to Ibo, 25 min, USD 235, minimum 2 passengers. Chapas also leave from Pemba to Tandanhangue (6–8 h, 600 MT).
Typical fares
- Plane Pemba → Ibo (CR Aviation)
- about USD 235, 25 min
- Boat Tandanhangue → Ibo
- 150–200 MT, 30–45 min
- Private car‑boat transfer from Pemba
- USD 400–500 total, 2–3 h
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The island is walkable; hire a local guide or bike for mangrove walks. No public transport on the island.
See and do
Known for
- Fort of São João Batista
- Fort of Forma de Cisterna
- Colonial ghost‑town atmosphere
- Mangrove walks
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Quirimbas National Park (mainland) | Boat from Ibo to Tandanhangue, then 4×4 transfer; total 3–4 h | ≈4 h |
Sleep
- Karibuni Backpacker
- Private rooms from 700 MT; basic facilities.
- Hotel Archipelago
- Rooms from 1 500 MT; central location.
- Miti Miwiri Lodge
- Rooms from USD 65; colonial mansion, pool.
- Cinco Portas Lodge
- Rooms USD 50–120; garden oasis.
- Ibo Island Lodge
- USD 295–365 per person sharing per night; waterfront mansions.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Oláoh-LAH |
| Thank you | Obrigadooh-bree-GAH-doo |
| How much? | Quanto custa?KWAN-too KOOS-tah |
| Where is the boat? | Onde está o barco?ON-deh es-TAH oo BAR-koo |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: 'Bom dia' and a handshake, then your question; avoid: Skipping greetings with officials
- Police stops: Calm, polite, documents ready; avoid: Arguing or offering money
- Dress: Cover up off the beach; avoid: Bikinis in town
- Photos: Ask first; avoid: Police, soldiers, buildings
Scams (Mozambique page)
- Fake e-visa and ETA sites: Use evisa.gov.mz only; lookalikes charge double.
- Checkpoint 'fines' (refresco requests): Stay polite, ask for the written ticket (multa) payable at the station; carry certified passport copies.
- Street money changers: Short counts and fake notes; use bank ATMs.
- Unlicensed dhow operators: No life jackets, no park fees paid; book through lodges.
- Overpriced 'official' car insurance: Buy third-party insurance at the official kiosk and keep the receipt.
Ibo is generally quiet but the approach route has security concerns; stay informed and travel with reputable operators.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Ibo yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Fort of São João Batista
- Fort of Forma de Cisterna
- Colonial ghost‑town atmosphere
- Mangrove walks
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Ibo Island coordinates: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Ibo, revision 5330966 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5330966
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/ibo). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.