Ponta Do Ouro is a rustic, popular little tourist town just a couple of miles from the border with South Africa. The sand roads, beach bars and world class diving make this an attractive, rustic and relaxed little beach town for most of the year. The bay with its turquoise waters is a magnet for sun lovers, surfers and divers. The headland which gives the town its name (point of gold) provides protection from the pounding Indian Ocean, meaning it’s a calm place to swim and bathe, unlike many Mozambican beaches which are exposed to the full force of the Indian Ocean.
For a small town there is a lot to do. For those who enjoy more relaxed activities the first stop is of course the beach. The guys on the beach will, for five hundred meticais, provide you with a sun shelter which most people will appreciate given the strength of the sun. On the far right of the beach (if looking out to the ocean) the water is calm and protected from the waves. So, head this way for sheltered water, or further to the left for some waves. As a basic rule of thumb the further left you go, the stronger the waves get and the quieter the beach.
Activities
Surfing
Surfing is a popular activity and there are a couple of locations in town offering surf board hire and lessons. For more advanced surfers there is almost always good surf beyond the protection of the bay. For less expert surfers, staying within the bay is recommended. But, the sands shift regularly in the bay meaning the quality and the location of the better surfing is variable.
Quad biking
Quad biking is a popular activity and not hard to miss as they roar up the sand roads. You can always hire them off the street right in the centre of town if you are looking for a bargain. But make sure you take a phone wherever you go as they are not always the most reliable, and don’t always have enough fuel for your trip. Many lodges have quad bikes you can hire if you stay with them and several tourist outfits run quad bike tours. Be aware the sand roads are still roads, the police can stop you and the rules of the road do still officially apply, though are rarely enforced. The sand roads can also get very busy with cars. Driving on the beach is banned and it damages wildlife; the ban is strictly enforced with hefty fines.
Dolphin tours
Dolphin tours are a popular trip. Several of the dive outfitters and some independent operators run dolphin tours. These are trips on a rib (inflatable boat with hard plastic bottom) touring around the bay, and beyond, to see dolphins. Many also let you snorkel with the dolphins. During whale migration season (September to December) you can also see whales. It is rare to go on one of these trips and see nothing, although these are wild animals and so nothing is guaranteed. Most of the operators are excellent with the animals. Please ensure any operators you use are respecting the wildlife.
Massages on the beach
Massages on the beach are popular and there are always plenty of masseurs on the beach with their table offering their services.
Diving
The diving in Ponta Do Ouro is rightly famous and people come from all over southern Africa and often beyond to see both the sharks and coral reefs that Ponta Do Ouro is famous for. There are a large number of dive operators in Ponta Do Ouro. Gozo Azul is the big player in town with a big centre next to the fuel station. But there are lots of other reputable outfits dotted around Ponta Do Ouro and further up the coast. Talk to the operators to see which one seems a good fit for you and your needs. Some offer PADI and some SSI diving qualification courses, but they all accept each others’ qualifications.
The ride to and from the dive sites is never smooth, going out and back through the surf. Once the boat makes the adrenaline filled ride through the surf you are then out of the protection of the bay and into the swell of the open Indian Ocean. But once you are off the boat and under the water you are in the beautiful world of one of Mozambique’s most amazing treasures; its underwater wildlife. The pristine reefs are filled with colourful life and every visit brings something new and more interesting to see. And for advanced divers the chance to go and see the sharks of Ponta Do Ouro is one not to be missed.
Accommodation
Accommodation is set up primarily for the South African market. Until the tar road from Maputo to Ponta Do Ouro was built, almost all of the visitors were South Africans. As the drive to Maputo is now 2 hours and not a day, Ponta Do Ouro is now also very popular with those from Maputo.
Much of the accommodation is large houses ideal for two or three families sharing, nestled in the roads surrounding the town and heading for miles up the coast. There are also some tented camps and some smaller houses. Getting accommodation for couples or a single family is possible, but harder, and with much less choice. There are no traditional hotels in the resort. Take look here to see all the Ponta Do Ouro accommodation on Enjoy Mozambique.
Food and drink
There are a range of places to eat and drink in town. The Beach Bar does what it says on the tin, is always busy and often has live music at the weekends. The Mango café offers an oasis of calm in the mango tree tops with a small but excellent menu. Love Café is always popular with a beautiful setup as you come into town on your right. Their extensive menu has something for everyone. Not everything is right in the centre, with Alex’s Pizza (possibly the best pizza in Mozambique) and the Melting Pot being a little out of town. And these are just a small selection. As you walk around town and beyond there is no shortage of places where you can get a juice or some lunch. You can see full details of these places to eat and drink, and more, here on Enjoy Mozambique.
Driving
The tar road ends as you enter the tourist edge of the town. If you are staying very close to the centre you can probably get by with a normal car. If you are staying much of a distance from there or are staying further up the coast, then a 4×4 is essential to get around the sand roads. Once on the soft sand it’s recommended to soften your tyres and this does make the driving easier.
When to visit Ponta Do Ouro
Ponta Do Ouro is stunning all year around. It is cooler in winter (usually in the mid twenties, but sometimes lower) and for diving the water gets cooler. The wet season, December to February isn’t very wet (the rain comes in occasional and typically short, very powerful storms) but the weather can be very hot (reaching the low forties). If you like the chilled laid back Ponta Do Ouro, then avoid Christmas and other South African holidays as well as public holidays in Mozambique (especially those that end up on a Monday or Friday and so make a long weekend). If you prefer the crowds and parties, then these busy times are probably the time to go.
Currency
As Ponta Do Ouro is so close to the border, many places accept South African rand as well as Mozambican meticais. Please be aware of this when bartering and ensure you know what currency you are bartering in or you may get a shock at the end. Please note that businesses are not permitted to charge in foreign currency and any business charging you in rand is illegally trying to take money away from a very poor country. Please be ethical and insist all payments – at least with formal businesses – are in Meticais.
Shops
If you are travelling from South Africa, please note customs restrictions before travelling as many things are illegal to bring in from South Africa, such as beer and often also meat due to concerns over the spread of livestock diseases in South Africa. Please also support local businesses and buy local when you arrive. There are a couple of “supermarkets” in town. The supply of drinks of all kinds is plentiful and one of the supermarkets is run by Moz Meats and so a wide range of meat for the Braai or other cooking is available. There are also plenty of canned and packaged products. Fresh fruit and vegetables are harder to come by. There is a well stocked pharmacy in town. For more leisure shopping there is a surf shop, diving shop and lots of stalls selling crafts, clothes, flip flops and tourist knick-knacks. You can get details of the shops in Ponta Do Ouro here on Enjoy Mozambique. A tour around the market stalls is part of the Ponta Do Ouro experience and the friendly stall holders will always try and sell you whatever they can, but always in a good natured way. As always prices are there to be bartered, but ensure that the stall holder is getting fairly paid for what they have probably produced themselves
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