Perfect Getaway:
You don’t have to get on a plane to be in another country. Why pay +-R15 000 in search of perfect waves, good times, different culture, food and experiences?? For a quarter of the price you can go to Mozambique.
It’s a 41/2 hour drive from Durban or Johannesburg to the border,
then another 30 mins drive off road (you need a 4×4).
It’s a great weekend away trip with mates and if you watch the charts you can score perfect waves.
3 days is all you need- if you can stay longer even better.
Border post:
If you are a Saffa you don’t need a visa, you do need a valid passport though. If you get there early in the morning it can be quick, however in season you can wait around 40min to get through.
Non-Saffa and you’ll be stung with having to buy a R650 visa!
Accommodation:
There are plenty of places to stay in Ponto from tents, back packers and self catering chalets, depending on your budget and how many of you there are. The most popular is to get a self catering place with a group of mates which is a lot cheaper. I stayed at Kaya Kweru which has options to suit any budget. It’s situated on the beach but it’s a 10 min walk to the point.
Food:
There is no shortage of restaurants & bars and the prices are the same as South Africa.
Most of the food is Portuguese style – plenty of fish, prawns and hot spicy chicken.
The local beers are good – looking at R20 or $2,50 for a 2M. But it’s the RnR’s which are a MUST to try. The concoction of raspberry soda, ice and tipo tinto in a 500ml jug can most famously be sampled at Fernando’s, the local “Baraka” situated near the central market – you can’t miss it with its thumping tunes playing nonstop remixes.
Language:
The locals speak Portuguese, if you know one or two words great, but most locals do speak English.
Currency:
Roughly 3.5 Metical to 1 Rand
Cash is King; they prefer South African rands so keep some ZAR handy.
Most places do however take cards and there is ATM.
Waves:
The point is like j-bay in board shorts!!!
This is a seriously long wave and a long paddle walk or paddle back. It has a few sections where you take off from. This wave can handle up to 10ft then you will probably need a jet ski to help with the paddle.
The wave starts around the point in the corner then the next section is right in front of the rocks, if it’s small then generally you would take off next to the rocks and go.
The next section (in the bay) can sometimes be the best of the whole point depending on the tides, this section is also good to grab the sets the come wide.
This wave keeps going on and on, once you finished off in the bay, the best bet is to walk back to the point or get a ride with a jet ski.
On smaller days this wave can be very play full – for beginner to intermediate riders its perfect.
Local wave riders:
There are none, but the guys (Durban) that go often think they are locals. There are plenty of waves around, just rather watch out for the boats and jet ski’s that are coming in and out the bay.
On the high tide in the middle of the bay there are few shore break\bowl spots to ride. Fun lefts and rights.
Best time to go:
March – July
Things to take:
Boardies, Sunscreen, Rashvest and that’s about all you need.
Things to do:
Diving, swimming with the dolphins, fishing (there plenty of charters\tours around, booking is essential though)
Snorkelling: Crystal clear blue water.
Bring your own gear but.
Bike rides.
Nothing…just chill on the beach and soak up this little piece of Paradise.
Obrigado.
