So, you dream of a tropical island getaway, but can’t afford to take any time out of the office? Well, relax: help is at hand in the form of the tiny island of Inhaca, a short boat ride, or 10-minute flight, across the bay from Maputo.

At Inhaca you’re on the verge of the tropics, among palm trees and golden beaches, with a range of watersports, incredible snorkelling and, not surprisingly, some awesome diving to enjoy. If you’re hardcore, you can paddle across from the mainland on a guided sea kayak trip with Hardy Ventures and camp out or take advantage of local hospitality; otherwise, head for the island’s only resort, the Pestana Inhaca Lodge.

Although it has 40 rooms, the Pestana has an intimate feel about it, with a big, open bar and outside tables on an esplanade around the large saltwater pool. There’s plenty to amuse — a tennis court, games room and the Pestana Kids’ Club — as well as two conference rooms, which can accommodate 90 delegates. The lodge has recently undergone an upgrade to its current facilities to the value of R5-million, delivering larger rooms with new showers and revamped common areas.

The rooms are simply furnished, but very comfortable, with bright bedspreads, fans, mozzie nets that are set up every night when your bed is turned down, satellite TV and coffee-making facilities. In a nutshell, it’s a perfect base from which to enjoy the delights of the island.

The food is superb (well, this is Mozambique after all), with fresh salads, fish, prawns and curried crab, as well as the staple prego rolls and chips. Try to be there for the Saturday night buffet if you can: clams, seafood kebabs and huge steaks usually feature. If you’re planning a full day of activities, rest assured, the buffet breakfast will sustain you, and picnic lunches can be arranged.

Most visitors come to Inhaca and chill, wandering around the island, lazing on the beach and checking out the local nightlife. Luca’s restaurant and Karaoke, in the village just outside the lodge, are popular watering holes where the spontaneous dancing can go on through the night.

Land-based excursions include those to the lighthouse and to the interesting little biology station put together by the University of Maputo. Built in 1951, this international research centre has been, and remains, a fascinating source of information for the visitor, with its vast collections of marine and terrestrial life inhabiting the island and its shores, including the skeleton of a dugong.

Great fishing and snorkelling

Snorkelling in the Santa Maria Channel is superb and there are day trips to neighbouring Portuguese Island and other quiet spots. Inhaca is best known for its fishing. The game fishing is excellent, with dorado, barracuda, king mackerel, tuna, kingfish and even marlin the main prizes, and saltwater fly-fishermen are spoilt for choice when it comes to idyllic spots to cast a fly.

Dives managed by the Gone Fishin’ Watersports Centre, which is well equipped, are very well run, with friendly, efficient staff and a variety of activities ranging from parasailing to windsurfing, as well as whale- and dolphin-watching trips.

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Published courtesy of the Out There Travel Guide
The best diving is a 40-minute boat ride away at Baixo Danae. Outside the bay, the 7km-long reef offers a choice of dives, including Boiler’s Point and Raggie. On a good day, the diving is world class — in season you’ll often see manta rays, whales, whale sharks and other big pelagics, as well as stunning reef life — but you can also be unlucky. Diving in the open ocean is weather-dependent; however, if it’s howling you can always dive the sheltered site of Santa Maria.

If you’re only going for the weekend, the best plan is to fly or drive down to Maputo on Friday evening and overnight in the Pestana Rovuma, only 15 minutes from the airport, or, if you want a spoil, at the Grand Old Dame of Maputo, the Polana.

An early morning flight gets you to Inhaca by 8.15am, ready for a full day on the island. The return flight leaves on Sunday afternoon. Alternately, if you want to dive on the Sunday you can take the boat back — it’s a fun one-and-a-half hour journey across the bay. Then you’ve got Sunday night to enjoy the downtown bars and restaurants of Maputo before hopping onto the 7am flight to Joburg and back to your desk.

Of course, if you prefer to take life a little more slowly, Inhaca’s not a bad place to spend a week or two!

For more information and reservations call Pestana Reservations on +27 11 462 1714 or 0861 113 746 or visit www.pestana.com. For the Polana in Maputo call +27 11 465 0808 or visit www.polana-hotel.com.