Ponta do Ouro is a beach in the south of Mozambique, on the border with the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal. It has an extension of 678 square kilometres and is a town that belongs to Maputo Province, the Matutuíne District and the Administrative Post of Zitundo. And best of all, there are wonderful things to do in Ponta do Ouro.
The beach is an arc about seven kilometres long, bordered by rocky coasts at each end (the reefs), by a wide sand bar and by low dunes on the land side. For these reasons it is very sheltered and well suited to water sports, and its tropical climate is another point in its favour for this kind of activity.
The legends say Ponta do Ouro got its name because the first Portuguese explorers were amazed by the golden glow of its beaches and thought they had discovered dunes of gold. In truth, that golden colour comes from the sunlight falling on the white sands of this stretch of the Mozambican coast.
The distance from Maputo to Ponta do Ouro is about 122 kilometres, which means that driving at 100 kilometres per hour you can be there in an hour and a half.
Getting there from Maputo is very easy now, thanks to the new Maputo to Katembe bridge. Along the way you will pass two tolls and cross the Maputo Special Reserve, where with a little luck you may see wild animals such as giraffes, impalas and elephants.
As well as being a beach whose sea shines like gold, very clean and deep blue, Ponta do Ouro has a huge amount to offer: the beach itself, sunbathing, reading, yoga, surfing, kayaking, diving, relaxation, massages on the sand, quad bikes, boat trips, ocean safaris, sunrises and sunsets, swimming with dolphins, restaurants and good places to stay.
In the middle of the village there are little shops selling clothes made from curtain fabric, so charming. Others are made from capulana, the typical Mozambican cloth, from head to toe: trousers, skirts, dresses and even bags. Here you can find all kinds of clothes and accessories, both new and second-hand.
So, what are the best things to do in Ponta do Ouro?
- Beach: the beach offers all sorts of activities, from walking along the shore and looking out at the ocean, where you might spot whales leaping, to using all that space for football, volleyball or a game of cards.
- Sunbathing: you will find plenty of shade to rent, at 500 Meticals for the full day, where you can leave your things (personal items, food and drinks). And if you prefer to tan, make the most of the sun, because the spot is perfect for it.
- Reading: if you love a good book, roll out your towel, lie back and read while you listen to the waves. We recommend the northern end of the beach, on your left, which is quieter.
- Yoga: this is the perfect place to stretch your muscles and reconnect your soul to the infinite.
- Massages: on the southern shore you will see women, professional masseuses, with proper beds for the treatments. You can walk over to them or ask them to come to your spot. They are very friendly and the price is open to negotiation, around 1000 Meticals (15 USD) for an hour.
- Sunrises and sunsets: the sunrises here are magical, because you face the sun directly as it comes up, so if you can, get there early or wake early and wait for that great ball of fire. The sunsets are wonderful too. Look for a high spot to enjoy the light as it settles over the savanna. This surely cannot be left off our list of things to do in Ponta do Ouro.
- Quad bikes: red and blue quads roam around Ponta do Ouro. Talk to the lads who own them, rent one for an hour and ride freely all the way north to visit other lodges and hotels on the road to Ponta Malongane, or simply to feel free in the wild. A full day costs around 4000 Meticals (about 65 USD).
- Water sports: surfing, kayaking, diving, boat trips, ocean safaris, swimming with dolphins. You can dive among an amazing variety of fish, as these waters are home to dolphins, sharks, whale sharks, turtles, whales and mantas. If you feel brave enough, you can also ride a jet ski, surf the waves and enjoy this clean blue paradise. There are boats to take you out to wonderful parts of the sea, in search of animals on an incredible ocean safari, meeting dolphins and swimming with them in these clear blue waters, or simply to enjoy a magical sunset.
- Seafood: the restaurants in Ponta do Ouro are built on top of the hills and dunes and on flat land with views of the sea. The meals are prepared with a lot of love, and whatever seafood dish you choose will be delicious, whether clams, prawns, squid, lobster or the fish of the day. There are many good restaurants, so pick the one on the seafront that catches your eye.
- Somewhere to stay: there are many places to stay in Ponta do Ouro, from fully equipped self-catering houses to private rooms in hotels and lodges. Prices start at around 60 USD a night. Some of them are marvellous, like houses built on the hilltops with stunning views of the sea and the savanna, and infinity pools. You can look on Booking.com, Google or Airbnb, or, the best option, let us put together a lovely package for you. One tip if you book yourself: make sure your place is really in Ponta do Ouro and not in Ponta Malongane, as the two are often confused. Ponta Malongane lies just to the north. The two are very close, but you will need a very good 4x4 to reach anywhere there, like the quads we suggested renting.
Just to round off these things to do in Ponta do Ouro, we would like to add one more thing worth knowing: the Metical, the Rand and the Dollar are the currencies well accepted down here, especially the first two. Didn't have time to change into these currencies? Don't worry, you can pay by card in many places and also withdraw cash in the village. As for safety, you can set your mind at ease, because Ponta do Ouro is a place where you will find friendly people and a real sense of family.
Ponta do Ouro is the beach that gets the most visits down here, and those who come for the first time always come back.
Enjoy yourself!