Tofo, Inhambane.
Beach town. Whale sharks. Surf.
Tofo (or Praia do Tofo) is a beach town on Mozambique's Inhambane coast — year-round whale sharks, the country's most reliable surf, and dive sites people fly across the world for. Twenty-two kilometers east of Inhambane city.
About Tofo
Tofo (or Praia do Tofo) is a small beach town in Inhambane Province, about 22 km east of Inhambane city. The bay's plankton-rich water draws whale sharks year-round and humpback whales June–November — making it one of the few places on earth where you can swim with both. The town itself is barefoot and unhurried: a sandy main square, a daily market, a handful of dive shops, a surf school, and beach bars that fill up after sunset. Most travelers come for the ocean. A lot of them stay longer than they planned.
- Languages
- Portuguese, Xitsua
- Time zone
- GMT+2 · CAT
- Currency
- Metical (MZN)
- Visa
- ETA or e-visa (most nationalities)
- Best time
- May–November
- Power
- Type C / F · 220V
Practicalities
- Cash & ATMs
- No ATM in town — pull cash before you arrive
- Tap water
- Bottled recommended
- Mobile & data
- eSIM (Airalo works well here)
- Tipping
- Not expected · ~10% in tourism appreciated
- Health
- Malaria zone — ask your doctor about prophylaxis before travel
- Emergency
- 112 (general) · 119 (medical)
The closest ATMs are BCI machines at the petrol station ~2–3 km out toward Inhambane (Visa, Mastercard, Maestro). Withdraw what you’ll need before settling in. See our money guide.
On our activities we provide cold water, all day.
Local SIM also easy — Vodacom, Movitel, Tmcel at Inhambane Airport or in town. See our mobile data guide.
No mandatory vaccinations for most travelers. For malaria: prevent bites from dusk to dawn, and if fever appears, test quickly. See our Mozambique health guide.
Start here
What to do in Tofo?
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Scuba diving
Tofo is one of the great dive destinations of the Indian Ocean. Manta Reef, Office Reef, and a wildlife list that runs from manta rays and whale sharks to hammerheads and humpbacks in season. Multiple PADI shops in town for try-dives, courses, and qualified divers.
More on diving -
Whale sharks · year-round
Tofo is one of the few places on earth where whale sharks are seen every month of the year. The bay's plankton blooms keep them feeding here when other Indian Ocean sites go quiet — ocean safaris run daily.
More on whale sharks -
Humpback whales · June to November
Seasonal humpback ocean safaris from Tofo during the migration window. Peak sightings are August to October, often with calves close to shore.
More on humpback whales -
Surf at Praia do Tofo
Tofo has the most reliable surf on the Mozambican coast — beach breaks that work for beginners, points that pick up the south swells. Lessons, board rentals, and guides who know which spot to call on the day.
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Inhambane city tour
Inhambane is one of Mozambique's oldest towns — a Portuguese colonial port with whitewashed walls, a working cathedral, and a market that's been trading the same way for generations. A half-day spent wandering, eating, and crossing the bay by dhow. <a href="/inhambane">More on Inhambane →</a>
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Quad biking
Inland tracks through coconut plantations, small villages, and back to the dunes above Tofinho. About two hours, no experience needed, a guide leads the way. Best in the cooler months when the sand is firmer.
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Electric bicycles
A quieter way to cover the same ground. Tofo to Tofinho along the coast, or inland to the markets. Pedal-assist bikes mean the sand and the heat stop being the limiting factor. Half-day or full-day rentals.
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Day trip to Ilha dos Porcos
A small uninhabited island off Tofo — "Pig Island" in Portuguese, named for the wild boars that once lived there. By boat, with snorkeling on the way and a long lunch on the beach. The closest thing to a private-island day in the area.
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Yoga class
Drop-in classes on the beach or in shaded studios in town. A few teachers run regular morning and sunset sessions — a good counterbalance to long dive days. Mats provided; bring water.
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Mangrove cruising
A slow boat into the mangrove channels behind Inhambane Bay — birdlife, fiddler crabs, kingfishers, and the quiet that the open ocean doesn't have. Half a day, often combined with the city tour.
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Tours here
4 ways to do it.
Whale Shark Ocean Safari in Tofo
From From $55 per person · 2–3 hour ocean safari
- 2–3 hours
- Small boats · 6–10 people
- Year-round · weather permitting
Humpback Whale Ocean Safari in Tofo
From From $60 per person · 2–3 hour ocean safari
- 2–3 hours
- Small boats · 6–10 people
- Seasonal · June to November
Scuba Diving in Tofo
From From $130 per certified dive · gear included
- Half-day · 1–2 dives
- Small boats · 6–10 divers
- Year-round
Surf Lessons in Tofo
From $24 per person · 45 min
- 45 minutes
- 1,500 MZN solo · 1,350 MZN per person in groups of 4+
- Year-round · Conditions permitting
Getting there
How to arrive.
- By air
- Inhambane Airport (INH) has flights from Johannesburg (~1h30) on Airlink and from Maputo (~50 min) on LAM. From the airport, Tofo is a 30-minute drive — most lodges arrange transfers. If yours doesn't, we can sort it.
- By road
- About 7 hours from Maputo up the EN1 (~470 km, paved). From the South African border at Lebombo or Kosi Bay, 5–7 hours. The last 22 km from Inhambane to Tofo is paved and easy. If you'd rather not drive, we can arrange the whole journey.
When to visit
The seasons.
- Dry season · May–Oct
- Cool mornings, light wind, the calmest sea conditions of the year. Best window for diving visibility and humpback whales. Peak months are July through September — book ahead.
- Hot season · Nov–Apr
- Warmer water (great for long dives and swims), higher humidity, short afternoon storms. Quieter and often cheaper. Cyclone risk is real but low — worth checking forecasts close to the date.
- Whale sharks · year-round
- Whale sharks are seen off Tofo every month of the year, with some seasonal variation in numbers. The bay's plankton blooms keep them feeding here when other sites go quiet.
- Humpback whales · Jun–Nov
- Humpbacks pass on their migration from Antarctica to the warm Mozambique Channel. Sightings from the boat are common in season — peak months are August through October.
Read more
Go deeper.
What to Do in Tofo
The planning page. The same town cut by the kind of traveler you are, and by how many days you have.
Read the guide Best Time to Visit Tofo
Whale shark season, humpback months, calm-sea windows, surf swell timing, December crowds.
Read the guide Tofinho — the surf point
The rocky headland 1–2 km south. Mozambique’s most-recognized right-hand point break, dramatic cliffs, and the best land vantage on the humpback migration corridor.
Read the guide Getting to Tofo
Via Inhambane Airport (INH). Airlink direct from Johannesburg, LAM from Maputo, the EN1 drive, and our private transfers — all options compared.
Read the guide
Combine with Vilanculos
About five hours north on the EN1 — gateway to the Bazaruto Archipelago. Clear-water snorkeling, dhow days, and the classic postcard Mozambique.
Read the guideGood to know
Tofo, answered.
Where is Tofo in Mozambique?
How do I get to Tofo?
What’s the difference between Tofo and Vilanculos?
When can I see whale sharks in Tofo?
Do I need to be a certified diver?
Is Tofo safe?
How many days do I need in Tofo?
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