Located on the Southern point of Inhaca Island, and sometimes mistakenly named as Santa Maria (which is actually the name of the village located on the inner bay side of Machangulo Peninsula), Ponta Torres is an excursion that MUST NOT be missed!
The boat ride takes you along the western shores of Inhaca and around Ponta Penduine where your experienced skipper will follow the winding channel past sleepy fishermen villages and mangrove swamps where flocks of Flamingos gather and Pelicans ply their trade close to the sandy tidal shores.
Be sure to be on the lookout for Whimbrils, Giant Egrets, a variety of Kingfishers, including the rare Mangrove Kingfisher, Yellow billed Kites, Herons, Storks, Crowned Hornbills and the occasional Fish Eagle!
Ponta Torres is a protected Marine coral reef and Reserve, which affords some quite incredible snorkelling opportunities on the incoming tide when the clearer waters are being pushed in – do not miss the huge schools of Bigeye Kingfish and Natal Moonies amongst the proliferation of reef fish and colours that are on show – this is truly a veritable paradise!
You can walk the stunning, deserted beaches along the coral rock formation until you reach the edge of the Island with Machangulo Peninsula and the mainland in front of you, separated only by a few hundred meters by an area notoriously known as Hells Gate, due to its rough and tricky exit to the Indian Ocean.
Please be advised that there is a charge of 200.00mtn per person for snorkelling at the Ponta Torres Reserve, payable to the Marine Park Guards on duty.
Please ensure that you do not touch any coral, rocks or marine life in any manner or form – no shells or other such souvenirs may be taken from any Reserve Area on Inhaca Island. Take only your photographs and leave only with your memories!
During the months of July through to the end of November, migrating Humpback Whales and the occasional Southern Right Whale frequent the shores of Inhaca to mate, give birth and nurture their offspring before making their long and arduous journey back to the Antarctic to feed.
“No living animals have captured our imaginations as have the great whales… They fire our imaginations and stab at our emotions. They inspire our art, literature, and music. And so they should. The indescribable blend of grace, power, and beauty of a whale as it glides underwater, leaps toward the sky, or simply lifts its flukes and slides into the sea symbolizes a vanishing poetry of the wild.”
Dr. James Darling, With the Whales
Mamas Lodge has 2 sea kayaks available for usage at your leisure, single and double skull and we highly recommend an early morning paddle on the serene, clear, turquoise waters as the sun slowly rises over the Island from the east.
Alternately you can paddle your way along the shoreline south to visit the Museum at the Biology Station or paddle north where you will pass the local airport and then drift amongst the spectacular mangrove swamps with their exceptionally crystal clear waters – whichever way, make sure you pack some refreshments, hat and sun lotion!
Fishing opportunities abound around Inhaca Island for every type of enthusiast with a number of world class spots to choose from. Enjoy either a full or half day charter with a limited amount of fishing tackle available on request. Whether you prefer to trawl, jig, spin, or fly fish, some of the most exciting game fishing may be found around Inhaca – Various species of Kingfish including the elusive Giant Kingfish (Caranx Ignobilis), Barracuda, Dorado, Sierra, Queenfish, Wahoo, Job, Yellow fin tuna and Sailfish amongst others, not forgetting of course the magnificent Black, Striped and/or Blue Marlin. Inhaca has also, for many years, been a favourite destination for fly fishing for that ever elusive Bone Fish. Deep sea fishing charters can be organised through prior arrangement (Please be aware that any fishing requires a permit to be paid to the marine Services own the Island. Ask our managers to assist you.)
On the incoming tide, a short boat ride south will take you to Barreira Vermelha, more commonly known as Coral Gardens, where you can jump into the warm, shallow waters of the Indian Ocean and enjoy some incredible snorkelling opportunities where coral growth, due to the shallowness and protection of the waters in this area, continues to thrive – marvel at the size of the Plate and Brain Corals and spot the juvenile damsels and Chocolate Dips hiding in between Stag Corals. You may even see the occasional Loggerheads Turtle!
Day Trips & Fishing Excursions:
.
Rusmus: +258 84 712 1666
57,000 mzn includes all fishing gear, bait, boat, fuel, captain, helper, rods everything. Max 7 passengers. You just have to bring your own food.
Inhaca Island Tour Guide:
Archie: +258 85 134 9607
Inhaca Transfers:
Rusmus: +258 84 712 1666
Roger: +258 87 638 4720
Boat Charter & Fishing:
Mario: +258 86 266 6983
Museum:
Take a leisurely walk along the stunning western shores of Inhaca to the museum at the Biology Station (about two hour walk return) – a large variety of well preserved and pickled marine life as well as a complete skeleton of the highly endangered Dugong amongst a whole array of other interesting items make this journey one well worth taking.
The Museum is run by the University of Eduardo Mondlane in Maputo and there is also a Research Station attached to the Museum (Kindly note that there is a small fee of approximately $1.00 to pay for adults entering the museum and we highly recommend that you take along enough water with you as there is no shop or facilities at the destination.