Fim do Mundo Safaris: Bay Diving beach resort in Nacala, Northern Mozambique

April 2008

Our new phone and email system is in place. The old number whose telephone lines were stolen was diverted to our wireless public phone. That system is now also defunct due to some technicality. The only option now is our fixed mobile office number. (+258) 82 304 2909 or extreme telepathy.

Regards, Sarah and Arthur

Not just another beach resort. Fim do Mundo means ‘End of the World’ and it describes our concept of living (and forms of telecommunications) in the north of Moçambique, an area still largely unexplored by travelers and unspoiled by flashy tourist ventures. If you need a quad bike or playstation to keep you entertained, please keep searching for your ideal holiday venue. If you honestly love the outdoors, are up for adventure and the unconventional, you're on the right page.

click on map to see details

Bay Diving is a small, privately owned and operated lodge with dive school in the huge bay of Nacala, a refreshing oasis with comfortable rustic accommodation options from seven twin or double chalets to camping and dormitory, which all have stunning views of the bay. The poolside restaurant boasts great food and legendary desserts.

Down the steep steps, clean, quiet, safe beaches drift into calm, warm water perfect for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking and dive training.

In July 2006 in conjunction with the local Fishermen's Association we had the area in front of the lodge declared a no fishing zone. The reef inside this micro reserve is now teeming with marine life that previously fought a daily losing battle against the nets. We see shoals of barracuda, mullet, kingfish and batfish above regenerating corals that provide a nursery for small tropical fish.

10 Dive sites each with unique topography are all within a casual 30 minute boat ride with expanses of healthy coral and reefs suitable for novice to experienced scuba divers.

Macro photographers overdose on frogfish, leaffish, harlequin shrimps, seahorses, ribbon eels, nudibranchs and ghost pipefish while giant sunfish hover above during the months of April and May and migrating Humpback whales get up close from August to October. There are very few sharks inside the bay and large pelagics are rare. Interesting night dives are conducted from the shore. Water temperature tops 29C in Summer and last year dropped to 25C in Winter. It is possible to dive year round in generally calm, clean water although the rainy season of January and February can be murky.

We believe that being a diver is something you are, not just something you do.

Small groups of students and divers receive personal attention and practical knowledge from their experienced instructor and it is often said “I did my course in xxx, but I learnt to dive at Bay Diving.” So those with little diving experience can thrive here, and competent divers get a measure of freedom and space not always available at busier resorts.

Fort at Ilha de Mozambique 40ft Traditional Wooden Dhow

Ilha de Moçambique – the original capital of the country and a cultural and historical World Heritage Site, is 115km by road from Nacala. It can be reached by car or chapa and is well worth a day trip or overnight visit.

Probably the best way to reach it is to follow in the wake of the ancient mariners who explored these unchartered waters and lands centuries ago, and sail the old trade route from Nacala with our handcrafted liveaboard dhow. But don't go straight there. Stop along the way to dive or snorkel, fish for dinner, count the barnacles on the Humpback whales, anchor overnight in Quissimajulo bay, explore the coastline populated with baobabs, cashew trees and mangroves, kayak all over and live the maxim "getting there is half the fun", knowing the other half will be getting back.

Sleeping a maximum of six passengers, plus the owner and crew, this dhow was created for adventurous people who want to spend more time in the water than an airconditioned cabin.

Due to over development in the area, we have closed t New Fim do Mundo Bush Camp he original Fim do Mundo bush camp in Mogincual and applied the concept to a newly aquired location - a peninsular called O'Quero directly opposite Bay Diving in Nacala. Perfect for those wanting a private hideaway, you can kayak the 2,6km (an angle of 11o'clock from the boat in accompanying photo) and enjoy total solitude. Spend the day on the beach, snorkeling amongst the mangroves or take food, wine and camping gear for a real night out under the stars. Walk the whole day through the bush and along the beaches of the inner bay before reaching a point where you can hail a dhow taxi to bring you back. Whatever your ideas, we like to help you make the most of the opportunities available to do something out of your ordinary.

Getting to Nacala is not quick, but definitely worth the effort. A minimum 3 day drive from Johannesburg through Zimbabwe or 4 days through Maputo. Flights arrive from Johannesburg, Maputo, Dar es Salaam or Nairobi (via Pemba) to Nampula airport which is 200km inland. Minibus transfers can be arranged from the airport to Nacala and local bus transport runs all day. For those with their own plane, there is an airstrip at the military base 1,5km up the road from us.

Contact us for up-to-date advice on travel in this region but please be advised that as a private company we do not make flight reservations or accommodation bookings for other places.

Due to email problems our infamous newsletter is not being mailed out anymore. You can read the lastest outburst on this link. Latest Newsletter Updates are infrequent. Stop by every now and again to check if there is a new edition.

Please don't hesitate to contact us, we try to answer all emails same day:

Telephone: +258 82 3042909
Telephone: +258 26 500066
SMS: +258 82 3042908

Email: fimdomundo@teledata.mz