Our Favourite activities
There is a large range of activities on offer. If you love the ocean then you will be in for a treat. Some activities are only available at specific times of the year and require the use of third party operators.
Laid-back leisure is what House of the Rising Sun is all about. Guests have the option of doing everything or nothing at all. On the beach guests can enjoy diving, snorkeling, fishing, canoeing and surfing. For the adventurous, enjoy sea safaris and tours by the locals, exploring the surrounding towns of Jangamo.
Contact us before your trip for assistance in planning your activities.
Collection of the BEST:
We've gone about collecting some of our most favourite activities. These are activities that we have actually done and enjoyed ourselves and personally recommend you try these out! From sea safaris to diving with the Manta Rays, to snorkeling with the whole family and a deep sea fishing trip to top it all off.
We might make it sound perfect ... but that because it is!
Make this holiday about you, experience everything and most of all have FUN!
Scuba Diving
The warm waters of the Mozambican coastline offer some excellent scuba
diving opportunities where you can view a variety of sea life
including turtles, reef fish and even bigger game fish, including the
gorgeous Manta Rays.
There are two very reputable dive centers located just a beach walk
away.
Get in touch we will connect you.
Deep Sea Fishing
Experience exceptional deep sea fishing with one of the local
operators. Game fish are caught throughout the year with the most
popular species being yellow fin tuna, wahoo, king mackerel, queen
mackerel and dorado. For the hardcore fishermen, marlin and sailfish
are best fished between October and January.
Join the annual Guinjata Bay Fishing Comp every June.
Snorkeling
One of the most awesome activities to do in Mozambique is to dive, but
that is not always a "family activity" but snorkeling offers a
gorgeous under water experience. Mozambique is a snorkeling paradise,
so pack your mask and flippers.
We found that the best place to snorkel was Paindane, which is approximately 5km from our house and a 20 minute drive.
Sea Safari
Go on a sea safari of the nearby reefs and explore the warm Indian
Ocean alongside the resident dolphins. Be on the lookout for tropical
fish, turtles and whale sharks too.
Between May and December, watch Humpback whales passby while you enjoy
breakfast on the deck. In May the whales are moving north to their
breeding grounds and from September they head south for the nutrient
rich waters of Antarctica.
Canoeing & Kayaking
Try your hand canoeing or kayaking in the ocean. If you are lucky, you
might even get to share a wave with one of the bottlenose dolphins
that frequents the area. With a wide coastline to explore, how better
to do this than in a canoe or kayak?
For the avid fisherman, the kayaks also provide an opportunity to do
some light tackle fishing trawling behind the backline.
Surfing
Mozambique has become a popular country for surfers to explore and
chase big swells. The best time to enjoy warm waters and uncrowded
surf is from February through to October, with the bigger swells
coming in June and August.
If you're visiting us during December, this is the best time for your
little ones to enjoy the waves!
Day Trip to Pansy Island
Enjoy a truly authentic Mozambican experience at Pansy Island. The
island only appears during low tide and is named after the famous
Pansy shells, which can be found all over the island. Take a
traditional dhow to the island with the locals, and explore the
beaches in search of the delicate pansy shell and explore the crystal
clear waters where you'll find micro marine life and starfish
colonies. Pack your snokeling kit for this!
Biking
At low tide the beach presents the perfect surface for a relaxing ride
along the water's edge with fat bikes. There are kilometers of beach
on your doorstep that can be explored without possibly seeing another
human being. We don't know of any companies renting out bikes, so you
would need to bring your own, but it is definitely worth it.
Dhow Trips
Support the locals and take an enjoyable sundowner dhow trip around
the bay departing from Inhambane. It's a great way to experience the
silence of the ocean, with just the wind behind you and the sun on
your face.
There is nothing like watching the red African sun disappear over the
horizon with your favourite drink in hand.
Get in touch with us for details of this experience.
Kite Surfing
The warm Indian Ocean offers the ideal playground for one the most
exhilarating water sports on earth. The north east wind that prevails
between July and November each year seldom disappoints. Get your
adrenaline pumping in the waves directly in front of the villa or
enjoy the calmer flat water of Guinjata Bay (own equipment required).
Night Crab Hunting
Our personal best activitiy! It has been past down from generation to
generation in our very own family. Get down onto the beach when its
dark (take bright torches), one person shines the torch and carries
the bucket, the other people take sand in their hands and chase after
the crabs, while the torch bearer follows the crab with the light. You
throw the sand on top of the crab, to basically pin it down and dust
the sand off the top of the crab to reveal its body, grip the crab and
put him in the bucket.
Note: this is a catch and release fun activity. We always let the crabs go at the end of a fun evening... no harm done
Beach Fishing
With your fishing rod in one hand and a bit of luck on your side, fish
from the beach directly in front of the villa. Local passers-by will
be more than happy to share some of their tricks and tactics of
catching in the area that have been passed down from generation to
generation. On calmer days, you can take a walk to the rock-pool area
in the bay itself and fish from this jutting structure.
View House of the Rising Sun
What to do:
It is well worth exploring the palm tree dotted area around Mahale, mainly on the coastal stretch with its tropical island feel. However, Guinjata Bay, is best known for its lovely beaches, safe swimming in warm temperate waters as well as for excellent diving spots, frequent whale shark and whale (calving in latter half of the year) sightings and deep sea game fishing.
A five minute walk gets you to relaxed atmosphere restaurants on the beach. Here you can enjoy anything from a scrumptious breakfast to fish, prawns, crayfish, steak, pizzas or even hamburgers and chips while drinks are never in short supply. In high season it is advisable to make bookings, but, otherwise just step in and enjoy. In the same area you will find diving operators with a wide range of activities on offer - scuba diving trips, training courses from resort to advanced PADI, snorkel and sea safaris as well equipment hire. This is definitely the ideal spot to introduce not only yourself, but also your children to the underwater wonder world. Other lodges situated within 400 - 800 meters to the south of Mahale, do daily diving excursions and offer a variety of courses. The area is known for its excellent diving sites (including the renowned Manta Reef).
Shopping:
All other requirements are locally available, either from the well-stocked Taurus supermarket (within walking distance from Mahale) or from the fresh product market, pharmacies and shops in Inhambane and Maxixe. At Taurus supermarket you will find virtually everything - from bread, milk, cheese ,spirits, wine, beer and soft drinks to good meat (from Sparta Beef in South Africa), chicken, cigarettes, toothpaste, mosquito repellent and vegetables. Fresh fish, prawns and crayfish are generally available from local fisherman, just ask the Mahale staff who will gladly assist. Within 2,5km there is a filling station with diesel, petrol and tyre inflation equipment and within 500 m, a supermarket, restaurants, scuba diving and deep sea fishing charter operations can be found.
Inhambane & Area:
Inhambane lies on the eastern bank of a beautiful, shallow lagoon stretching in-land for 25 km. On the western bank is Maxixe, a busy trading town, only 3 km away across the lagoon which can be reached by motorised ferries, traditional dhows or alternative by 60 km tarred road. The area around Inhambane is a scenic, low lying, primarily sandy area with thousands of square kilometres of coconut palm trees. Today Inhambane is the capital city of the province by the same name and has a population of around 70 000 people. Inhambane boasts a large number of Government offices, schools, banks, modern hotel, International Airport and a large number of businesses where one can find just about everything. Businesses include pharmacies, bakeries, general dealers, internet cafes, restaurants as well as liquor and hardware shops amongst others. Not to be missed is the central market (Mercado Central). The coastal resorts at Barra and Tofu (20 kilometres to the east via a tarred road), are well worth a visit.
View Mahale Resort
Scuba Diving
Go on an underwater Safari and explore the Depths with our local dive centre and Golden Palms Beach Resort!
Fishing Charters
Catch the big one. Embark on an Unforgettable Mozambican Fishing Adventure with our fishing charter partners.
Sea Kayaking and Fishing
Mozambique paddling at its finest. Guinjata and Paindane are the hotspots in Inhambane for kayakers. Book today.
Whale watching season
Magnificent Mozambique: Embark on Unforgettable Whale Watching Adventures.
Other fun activities include:
- Fly Fishing
- Rock & Surf Fishing
- Kayaking
- Snorkeling
- Swimming
- Lazing on the beach and soaking up the glorious sun or playing a round of beach bats
- Local markets
- Beach bars & Restaurants
- Nearby Superette
View Golden Palms Beach Resort
Activities & Attractions
Guinjata bay beach has dive centres and amazing restaurants and pubs to laze away your days in the sun and also activities that can be done like deep sea diving, snorkeling or a short sea safari to see whales, dolphins and also to swim with 18m placid whale sharks for an experience of a lifetime. Trips can be done to historic and colourful Inhambane town or go to Paindane and Coconut bay to snorkel the coral reefs at low tide that will amaze you with the amount of bright coral and masses of colourful coral fish in waist deep warm water.
You can do other great trips like the 3 islands for the day. The famous Pansy island is not to be missed. Then for something fun a visit to Tofo and Barra with there bars and restaurants with brightly coloured rows of artistic mementos to remind you of your relaxing stay until you return again and again
View Guinjata House & Chalets
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