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Voykit pocket guide · Mozambique
Ilha de Mozambique
Ilha de Moçambique
Spend 2–3 days on Ilha de Mozambique to see the UNESCO stone town, forts and beaches; a half‑day is enough only for a quick walk.
Ilha de Mozambique is a 1 km coral island with a UNESCO stone town, historic forts and a small beach. The island is walkable in 20 minutes end‑to‑end, so 2 days allow a relaxed visit of the main sights, a dive centre and a night in a guesthouse. A single day covers only the highlights.
- Country
- Mozambique
- Local name
- Ilha de Moçambique
- Best months
- May–Nov
- Avoid
- Jan–Mar (rainy, hot)
- Stay
- 2–3 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 MZN 300–500 excl. bed · Mid MZN 500–800 excl. bed · High MZN 800+ 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 |
|---|---|
| Meal at Reliquias (fish & rice) | MZN 300–500 |
| Bottle of beer | MZN 50–80 |
| Taxi from Nampula airport to island (shared) | MZN 1,200–1,500 |
| Bridge crossing fee | MZN 5,000 |
| Bike hire (full day) | MZN 200 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- APL · Nampula Airport
- Closest passenger airport, flights from Maputo, Johannesburg, Nairobi
Typical fares
- Bridge crossing
- MZN 5,000 per person (check)
- Bike hire (1 day)
- MZN 200 (check)
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 tiny; walk everywhere (20 min end‑to‑end). Bicycle hire from Gabriel's is available for a day.
See and do
Known for
- UNESCO World Heritage stone town
- Fort São Sebastião and historic churches
- Diving centre at the north end
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland Lumbo | Ferry from island bridge, 5 min walk to pier | 15 min total |
| Diving site north of the island | Walk 10 min to dive centre, arrange boat trip there | 30 min |
Sleep
- Casa Luis
- Private rooms, breakfast from $12, near main attractions
- Hotel Omuhipiti
- Only hotel on the island, AC rooms, restaurant on site
- Casa Branca
- 300‑year‑old house, rooms $20–25 incl. breakfast
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Desculpe |
| Thank you | Obrigado |
| How much is it? | Quanto custa? |
| Where is the bridge? | Onde está a ponte? |
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 and watch-outs
- Cross the causeway by paying Mts 5,000 (check exact fee).
- Swimming in the sea is discouraged due to water quality.
- Ask for a ticket at Fort São Sebastião to avoid double payment.
Generally safe for tourists; keep valuables locked, avoid swimming in polluted water, and pay entrance fees at forts to avoid double charges.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Ilha de Mozambique yet. Suggested stay: 2–3 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- UNESCO World Heritage stone town
- Fort São Sebastião and historic churches
- Diving centre at the north end
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 – Ilha de Mozambique: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Ilha de Mozambique, revision 5211161 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5211161
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/ilha-de-mozambique). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.