1) You can take a dhow excursion to a deserted island: You’re spoilt for choice in the Bazaruto Archipelago, which has been a national marine park since 1971.
It comprises five pristine islands all offering excellent snorkelling, sunbathing, long lonely walks and beach lunches of freshly caught fish. You may even come across a pod of dugongs (sea cows) in the crystal-clear waters. To book, visit sailaway.co.za.
2) You can get fabulous tailor-made clothing: Young tailors at the market, working on vintage foot-peddled Singer machines, can construct a shirt in less than a morning. They use offcuts of capulana, the fabulously patterned, wax-print cotton fabric so iconic to Mozambique, to whip up creations that would make John Galliano proud.
3) To try the mouthwatering local specialities: How about ice cream made from the fruit of the baobab tree? Or cashew fruit gin? Whatever you do, make sure you arrange a home visit to try matapa, a thick, grassy-looking stew made from cassava leaves, peanuts, garlic, coconut milk and minced prawns.
It’s a completely unique taste and goes down a treat alongside a generous helping of warm, Mozambican hospitality.
4) Because the seafood is cheap and as fresh as it gets: Crayfish the size of your head, kingfish, calamari, clams, heaps of prawns — it’s yours for the asking and is best eaten simply, straight from the sea, grilled, with a hit of peri peri — and at bargain prices.
Shop to your heart’s delight on the beach when the dhows come in at the end of the day. If you don’t have the energy to cook for yourself, visit the Casbah Restaurant and Bar, the Samara Restaurant or the Kuvuka Café.
5) Because tuk-tuks are fun: You are here to chill, relax, and let it all hang out. You can walk from one end of this compact little town to the other without breaking a sweat but if you feel you need a lift from the market, with your load of cashew nuts, dried clams and swathes of fabric, take a tuk-tuk. Similarly, after an afternoon of sun, peri peri prawns and quarts of Laurentina, catch a tuk-tuk and go nowhere slowly.
6) Because it’s the most fun you can have burning calories: This is the polar opposite of my idea of a perfect beach holiday, but in the interests of even-handedness, I’ll mention horse rides along the wide, flat, endless beaches — some throw in a tour of a fishing village for good measure.
Next to the Casbah beach bar is a kite-surfing centre and just outside of town is the Govuro Spring River, where two-hour tours in two-man canoes take place morning and evening. More? Try deep-sea fishing, sea kayaking or bush walking.
7) To live in luxury: You could slum it but why would you when the luxurious Bahia Mar boutique hotel, metres from the beach, offers phenomenal views, private plunge pools, gorgeous, stylish accommodation, an infinity pool and bar and a state-of-the-art gym?
I recommend you give the gym an admiring glance and head straight to the spa —- it has its own Zen meditation garden. The food, the service and the setting are more reasons to book into this little piece of paradise.
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