Vilanculos Travel Guide

Hotels in the area all offer excellent on-site restaurants, and you’ll enjoy most of your meals in the luxury and comfort of your chosen hotel. The region is famous for its seafood, and menus lean heavily on the fresh produce brought to the kitchen door each morning by local fishermen. Most dietary requirements can be catered for, but advance warning is recommended.

If you want to venture into town, Zita’s receives rave reviews for its humble take on Mozambican home cooking, while the beachfront Kutsaka Café dishes up light meals, local beers and superb sea views. Hotel restaurants usually welcome outside visitors, although prior reservation may be required.

Whether you spend your days kite-surfing, snorkelling, deep-sea fishing or simply relaxing on the beach Vilanculos is a year-round outdoor destination, so pack accordingly. 

Swimsuits are a must, as is a wide-brimmed sun hat and plenty of high-SPF sun lotion. A pair of comfortable aqua-shoes is also advisable for boat excursions and exploring the shoreline. If you plan on taking long beach walks, or exploring town, a small backpack will be useful. 

While Vilanculos is the largest town in the area, shops are limited, so ensure you pack all the memory cards and charging cables you’ll need. Medical services and supplies may be limited, so ensure you have sufficient prescription medication before departure.

You won’t be short on sunshine during your visit to Vilanculos, with year-round fine weather for enjoying the endless sandy beaches. For most travellers winter (May-November) offers the best combination of reliably clear skies and mild to warm temperatures. In summer (December-April) the mercury spikes above 90°F most days, and you’ll welcome the occasional downpours that define the rainy season in Mozambique. Take note that tropical cyclones can affect the region in January and February.

Malaria is found throughout Mozambique, and is particularly prevalent in the  summer months from November to March, when rainfall is at its highest. 

While the risk is reduced when staying on the islands offshore, travellers spending extended periods in and around Vilanculos should ensure they take appropriate malaria medication. Consult your travel doctor three weeks before departure for further advice and prophylactics.

Situated 600-kilometres north of Maputo, Vilanculos is the northernmost town in the popular southern tourist circuit of Mozambique. Get your bearings with our handy travel maps.

Vilanculos is easily accessible from key destinations across southern Africa. While private charter flights offer the ultimate in convenience and comfort – as well as the option of bespoke itineraries including regional safari camps – daily scheduled flights (1h30m) link Vilankulo Airport with Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport.