Things to Do in Maputo Bay

Maputo Bay is Mozambique's main port where traditional dhow boats still outnumber pleasure craft. The capital stretches along this natural harbor on the Indian Ocean, mixing working docks with colonial Portuguese buildings and mangrove shores that haven't been sanitized for tourists. This works well. The bay has anchored trade routes for centuries, and today you'll find authentic seafood markets alongside palm-shaded waterfront walks. The pace stays deliberately unhurried. Local neighborhoods reveal genuine Mozambican culture rather than tourist theater.

Seafood dominates every menu, as expected from a working port. Portuguese techniques show up in peri-peri prawns and bacalhau preparations across waterfront restaurants, particularly around Costa do Sol and the marina. Street food excels here. Stick to busy stalls for safety. Try grilled corn and fresh coconut water, plus Indian-influenced dishes that reflect old trading connections—though vegetarian options stay limited outside Indian restaurants.

May through October delivers comfortable weather with low humidity and minimal rain. Bay breezes make even warmer months bearable, while November through April brings the rainy season with lush greenery and afternoon thunderstorms. Water stays warm year-round. South African school holidays push up prices. December and January get particularly crowded.