Coming Soon - Dec 2025

Coming Soon - Dec 2025

Barra - Where the Ocean Meets Adventure

A tropical island with numerous tall palm trees, a sandy beach, and calm blue water in the foreground under a partly cloudy sky.

Barra is a pristine peninsula just outside of Inhambane, famous for its wide white beaches, calm turquoise waters, and a wealth of marine life. It is an ocean lover's paradise, with fantastic snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities as well as seasonal encounters with whale sharks, manta rays, dolphins, and migrating humpback whales. The tidal pools beneath the well-known Barra Lighthouse create a natural aquarium that is perfect for both families and casual tourists. With its mangroves and coconut palms growing beyond the water, Barra provides a tranquil setting for leisurely strolls or cultural outings to the nearby town of Inhambane. The beach is perfect for swimming, kayaking, and lounging in the sun because of its warm waters, which average 26 degrees Celsius throughout the year. Barra's unique combination of adventure and natural charm makes it a memorable getaway for thrill-seekers and those looking for barefoot tranquility.

Location

Barra is a vast peninsula that extends between Inhambane Bay and the Indian Ocean, featuring more than 25 kilometers of white sand beaches and coconut palm backdrops. One of the most adaptable coastal destinations, the region is well-known for its tidal pools, offshore reefs, and serene lagoons.

Geographically, Barra is located just northeast of Inhambane town at 23°47′41″ South and 35° 32′ 17″ East. It offers both calm waters and mild surf conditions because it is protected by estuaries on one side and the open sea on the other.

Barra is only a 25-kilometer drive from Inhambane town, making it easily accessible.

    1. To get to the Barra Peninsula, drive about 25 kilometers northeast from Inhambane town. The last stretch close to the beach has sandy tracks, but the majority of the road is tarred.

    2. Reach Barra Beach: This location is well-known for its offshore reefs, tidal pools, and the famous Barra Lighthouse. Visitors are able to walk around.

    3. Activities include scuba diving, surfing (seasonal), snorkeling, and guided boat excursions to see humpback whales, manta rays, dolphins, and whale sharks.

    • A 4x4 vehicle is recommended. This trip requires a 4x4 vehicle for easier access on sandy roads.

    • Best time to visit:. November-March for whale sharks and manta rays, June-September for humpback whales.

    • Location:: Inhambane Province, Southern Mozambique

    • Geographic coordinates: 23° 47’ 41’’ S, 35° 32’ 17’’ E

    • Beachline over 25km of sandy beaches and coconut groves

Barra is well known for its abundant marine life, particularly its manta rays and whale sharks, which are visible all year round. The best times to see them are from June to October for humpback whales and from November to March for whale sharks. Dolphins, sea turtles, seahorses, rays, and a variety of tropical reef fish are also likely to be seen by visitors.

Marine Life

A sea turtle swimming in clear blue ocean water with a rocky ocean floor visible below.

Everything from the biggest fish in the ocean to the tiniest reef animals can be found along the Barra coastline. Sea turtles, humpback whales, dolphins, manta rays, and whale sharks are all drawn to its warm waters. Seagrass and white coral reefs support delicate ecosystems and a multitude of tropical fish.

Barra is a hub for marine conservation and research projects that protect turtles, whale sharks, manta rays, and fragile reef ecosystems. Initiatives include preservation of turtle nest sites, monitoring of marine megafauna, and restoration of seagrass and coral habitat. These initiatives, which are supported by local communities and international volunteers, ensure that visitors can take in Barra's rich marine life while simultaneously contributing to its preservation for future generations.

A manta ray swimming in clear blue water.
Three dolphins swimming in turquoise ocean water, one with visible pectoral fins and dorsal fin, creating bubbles and ripples on the water surface.
A whale's tail emerging from the ocean water
Whale shark swimming in blue ocean with dotted patterns on its body.
Underwater view of a coral reef with various types of corals and fish swimming.
Underwater scene with coral reef and various colorful fish, including a yellow fish with black markings in the center.

The Weather

Barra is a fantastic year-round destination. November through March are the summer months.  The average daytime temperature is around 30°C, with an 80% humidity level. Rainfall is possible during these months, usually in late December, January, and February, but it usually only lasts for a portion of the day and is primarily tropical in nature.

April through October is winter. Daytime highs are typically between 20 and 25°C, with low humidity.  Rainfall occurs occasionally as well, usually in late June or early July. 

Activities & Attractions

Barra is a paradise for adventure seekers:

  • Ocean Safari: From November to March, the Barra region is a well-known destination for marine megafauna, including whale sharks, the largest fish in the world. If these giants are sighted, snorkeling with them might be an option.

    Dolphins and giant manta rays are among the other marine creatures that can be spotted during an ocean safari.

    The humpback whales are present in the region from June to October. During an Ocean Safari, you can get a closer look at these magnificent animals from the deck of one of the many restaurants along the shore or from one of our boats.

  • Fishing: There are excellent fishing options, ranging from deep-sea and rock angling to saltwater fly fishing.

  • Estuary Tours: There is an estuary with a lot to offer between the Barra Peninsula and the mainland. From excursions to Pansy Island, where Pansy Shells can be collected, to some of the best muck diving any region has to offer, we have it all. Seahorse lives in the estuary. During any activity created for this purpose, those with an eye for detail will be fortunate enough to spot these tiny creatures.

  • Dhow Trips Engage with the locals by traveling on one of the traditional sailing boats in the area. On one of these trips, you can learn a lot and have a lot of fun. We'll connect you with a trustworthy local operator so you don't have to miss it.

Visa

Visa Holders of most Southern African Development Community (SADAC) passports and the following countries do not require a visa:

Citizens of the countries Canada, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Israel, USA, Russia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Great Britain, Korea, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, Finland, Indonesia, Ireland, Singapore, Ghana, Senegal, Germany, France, Italy, China, Portugal and Ukraine

Citizens of the countries above are authorized to travel to Mozambique for a duration of a maximum of 30 days without prior registration and must, upon entry, pay a fee equivalent to 650 meticais (approximately 9 USD) and submit the three documents usually requested. These are;

  • A passport valid for at least six months,

  • a round-trip flight ticket (for those travelling by air),

  • And a confirmation of accommodation, which can be arranged through hello@machangulovillas.com.

All other nationalities have to apply for a visa online via https://evisa.gov.mz/. This will take approximately 7 business days and cost a minimum of $50.