Vilankulos is a popular tourist destination. It has a beautiful bay and is the gateway to the Bazaruto Archipelago, a stunning group of islands and marine national parks.
Geography
Vilankulos is a large town in its own right, but the tourist focus is the area along the beach. The bay is quite long and split into two halves by the outcrop of land containing the hotel Dona Ana. The bay above here is quiet and stunning. Most of the boat trips go from this bay and it is where many of the higher end hotels are based. This area is right on the edge of the town. Below the point the beach is still beautiful and the more budget accommodation can be found.
Accommodation
There is a wide range of accommodation to fit all budgets. There are many more hotels than other resorts in Mozambique, with a number of luxury hotels along the bay above Dona Ana, such as Baia Mar and the Vilankulos Beach Lodge. There are also lodges, backpackers hostels such as Baobab and a wide range of houses to rent. Most accommodation is based along the beach which is where most of the restaurants and tourist activities are based.
Activities
The Islands
Access to the Bazaruto archipelago has to be one of the primary reasons to visit Vilankulos and no trip to the resort is really complete without at least one trip out to the islands. There are a couple of high end resorts on the islands themselves, but most people go for day trips. Bazaruto is the main island of the archipelago. It is a large pristine island with a huge sand dune that you can climb to get stunning views across the island and the rest of the archipelago. A day trip to Bazaruto will often involve a stop at Benguerra as you have to pass it and it is a stunning island in its own right. Santa Carolina (also known as Paradise Island) is a little further but another popular trip. All of these trips involve travel by speed boat due to the distance to get there. Magaruque is a small island but still stunning and it has the advantage of being close enough that you can travel there by Dhow which is an amazing experience.
All day trips tend to follow a basic schedule with some variation depending on who you go with and which islands you are visiting. They all start with the sea crossing to the island which will be at least an hour no matter where you go. The views are stunning. Out to sea there is the possibility of seeing dolphins, and we have seen them on many trips. As you get closer to the island it’s possible to see turtles, small sharks and manatees swimming in the shallow waters near the islands. Snorkeling is a key part of any trip and this is a marine reserve for a reason. On some trips snorkeling can be done from the shore. The most famous snorkeling spot, two mile reef, is just off Bazaruto. This spot is justly famous for its stunning snorkeling and diving. Snorkeling can only be done from the boat here.
Trips will always involve time on the islands and lunch. The national park has set up shelters and well constructed compost toilets on all of the islands. If you take a Dhow trip many providers will cook your lunch on board the Dhow, otherwise they will set up a BBQ / Braai on the shore. From our experience lunches are always excellent with lots of fresh fish, salads and more.
Red dunes
The famous red dunes are a few miles out of town and can be reached by car (ideally 4×4) or quad bike. It is a short steep walk to the top. Guides in town will happily take you there and bring cold drinks and chairs to the top to watch the sunset. The dunes are also an interesting place to explore. From the top there are a range of paths and gullies heading down towards the beach which are fun to explore.
Kite surfing
The bay at Vilankulos is sheltered and shallow making it a perfect location to safely learn to kite surf. There are a couple of kitesurfing schools in Vilankulos.
Horse Riding
The story of Mozambique Horse Safari is as famous as the riding centre itself. You can read about their escape from Zimbabwe with their horses in their book One Hundred and Four Horses. It is run by Mandy and Pat who are kind and friendly and offer a range of rides, including riding in the sea bareack with the horses.
Going out
There are a range of restaurants and cafes in the tourist beach areas and then further inland in the main town. Many of the hotels also have restaurants that you can use as a non resident. Zita’s near Baobab backpackers is an experience serving authentic local food at her house. Nearby is Bush Beach where you can eat in a Dhow on the sand. Further north Casa Mika Cafe is a relaxed cafe looking down over the sea. The Vilankulos Beach Lodge makes a great place for lunch, although the visit may tempt you to stay.
When to visit
As with other areas of Mozambique, December to February is the wet season (see the weather and climate article for details), but that means it is very hot more than wet. Even in mid-winter Vilankulos is pleasant, the temperatures usually in the mid twenties. Its distance from the South African border means the resort is less affected by the South African school holidays than places further south.
Finally
Vilankulos is justly famous for its calm beautiful bay, the stunning archipelago and being a travel destination with much to do beyond lying on the beach.
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