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Back to Santa Carolina

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Voykit pocket guide · Mozambique

Santa Carolina

Ilha Santa Carolina

Do a day trip from Inhassoro (boat 30–45 min each way); no overnight stay, total 4–5 h including beach time.

Santa Carolina is a small rock island (3.2 km × 0.5 km) with three beaches and nearby coral reefs. There is no accommodation, so visitors usually take a half-day boat from Inhassoro and return the same day.

BeiraChimoioCuambaIboIlha de MozambiqueInhambaneInhassoroLichingaMatemo IslandMedjumbeMorrunguloMutararaNampulaPembaSanta Carolina500 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Mozambique
Local name
Ilha Santa Carolina
Best months
Apr–Oct (dry season, calmer seas)
Avoid
Jan–Mar (rainy, rough seas)
Stay
0 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 3,000–5,000 excl. bed · Mid MZN 5,000–8,000 excl. bed · High MZN 8,000+ 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 · Medical 117
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

ItemPrice
Boat trip to Santa Carolina (round-trip)US$50–100 per person
Meal in Inhassoro restaurantMZN 300–600

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

VNX · Vilankulo Airport
About 2 h by road to Inhassoro; the practical air gateway for the Bazaruto Archipelago.
INH · Inhambane Airport
Alternative; longer road transfer to Inhassoro — check schedules.

Typical fares

Inhassoro → Santa Carolina (boat, round-trip)
US$50–100 per person (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

Boat from Inhassoro (30–45 min). Hire a licensed operator; no vehicles on the island.

See and do

Known for

  • Three sandy beaches
  • Coral reefs close to shore
  • Filming location for Survivor South Africa

Day trips

WhereHowTime
Santa Carolina IslandBoat from Inhassoro harbor, about 30 min each way (licensed operators only).4–5 h total including beach time
Inhassoro townWalk or local taxi from harbor5–10 min

Sleep

None
No lodging on the island; stay in Inhassoro or Vilankulo.

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
Excuse me / SorryDesculpe
Thank youObrigado
How much is it?Quanto custa?
Where is the toilet?Onde é a casa de banho?

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

  • No accommodation – plan a day trip only.
  • Boat trips depend on weather; check conditions before departure.
  • No shops or services on the island; bring water and supplies.

Generally safe for day visitors; main risks are boat safety and sun exposure – use sunscreen and stay hydrated.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Santa Carolina yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Three sandy beaches
  • Coral reefs close to shore
  • Filming location for Survivor South Africa

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Santa CarolinaIlha Santa Carolina

Para este endereço, por favor

To this address, please

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

US consulate in Maputo; other embassies in Maputo.

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/santa-carolina). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.