Best Beaches Near Maputo, Mozambique: 2027 Trip Costs

Last updated: September 2026

The Best Beaches in Mozambique Near Maputo: 2027 Trip Costs guide covers Tofo, Vilankulo, and the Bazaruto Archipelago. Plan for about US$1,799 to US$14,590 per person, depending on trip length, comfort, transport, and season. May to October is the dry season, while high-season prices rise from January to March and July to December.

One bus ride from Maputo to Tofo takes about 10 hours and costs only MZN 700, but island trips can cost thousands more.

Best Beaches in Mozambique Near Maputo: 2027 Trip Costs is a guide to planning a coast-first holiday with clear price targets. It focuses on beaches that travelers often reach from Maputo, plus island stays that make sense as longer add-ons.

Mozambique is a long country. That matters. A low-cost bus trip to Tofo is very different from a private transfer and island lodge in Bazaruto. Your choice of beach, room, transport, and season will shape the final bill.

This guide uses available 2027 listings and travel research. It does not treat every quoted price as fixed. One 2027 itinerary says its details are a guide and subject to change. Check dates, transfers, meals, park fees, and local payments before you pay.

The goal is simple. Pick a beach that fits your time, then match it with a budget that feels realistic. SafariFind connects travelers with verified tour operators, package details, and authentic traveler reviews. That makes it easier to compare what is included.

What are the best beaches in Mozambique near Maputo?

The best beach choices for a Maputo-based trip are Tofo, Vilankulo, and the Bazaruto Archipelago. Tofo is the clearest value choice for travelers who want a mainland beach and simple onward transport. Vilankulo works well for an island gateway. Bazaruto suits travelers seeking a longer, higher-cost island stay.

Tofo

Tofo is the most practical beach choice in this guide for travelers watching transport costs. The Etrago bus from Maputo takes about 10 hours and costs MZN 700. From Inhambane, a chapa is listed at MZN 25, with MZN 50 for luggage. A private taxi is listed at about MZN 400.

Known for: A mainland beach stop with direct bus access from Maputo.

Best for: Budget travelers, independent visitors, and people who want to keep transport simple.

Price range: The beach transfer can begin with a MZN 700 bus fare, before accommodation, meals, and activities.

Vilankulo

Vilankulo is a useful base for travelers who want mainland beach time and access to island trips. The supplied research identifies Vilankulo as one of the best beaches in Mozambique. Its value depends on how long you stay and whether you add boat transfers or an island lodge.

Known for: A beach stop linked with trips toward the Bazaruto islands.

Best for: Travelers who want a mainland stay before paying for an island experience.

Price range: Use the broader 2027 trip range of US$1,799 to US$14,590 as a planning guide, then ask an operator to separate land costs from island costs.

Bazaruto Archipelago

The Bazaruto Archipelago is the high-cost island option in this comparison. It fits travelers who want more time on the water and a resort-style beach stay. A five-day itinerary can work well as a standalone island break or as part of a longer Mozambique route.

Known for: Island travel, beach time, and a higher spend than a mainland stop.

Best for: Couples, families, and travelers who value island lodging over low transport costs.

Price range: A 2027 Mozambique beach and safari listing gives a high-season rate of US$14,590 per person sharing.

Compare 5-day Bazaruto beach package costs for 2027 before choosing an island stay.

How these beaches compare

How much does a Mozambique beach trip cost in 2027?

A Mozambique beach trip costs about US$1,799 to US$14,590 per person in the available 2027 research. The lower end suits simpler trips with fewer services. The higher end reflects peak dates, island lodging, transfers, and package travel. A 17-day Mozambique tour is listed from US$3,895, or US$229 per day.

Budget levels to plan around

Entry-level planning: Start with a mainland beach such as Tofo. The listed MZN 700 bus fare gives you a clear transport base from Maputo. You still need to budget for rooms, food, local transfers, and activities.

Mid-range planning: A combined beach and safari route can cost several thousand dollars. One 14-day Mozambique and Kruger itinerary lists US$3,217 per person for 15 May 2027, plus a local payment of ZAR 1,600 per person.

High-end planning: Island packages can rise sharply during peak dates. One beach-and-safari package lists US$14,590 per person sharing for high-season dates.

Season changes the bill

May to October is the dry-season travel period listed by a Mozambique beach holiday guide. Dry weather can make beach days easier to plan, but demand may also affect availability. The same package research lists high-season periods as 2 January to 31 March and 1 July to 31 December.

That leaves April, June, and parts of the wet season as dates worth checking with an operator. Lower rates are never guaranteed. Ask for the exact room type, transfer plan, and cancellation terms before comparing prices.

What a package price may include

• Accommodation and selected meals
• Road transfers or domestic transport
• Boat transfers for island stays
• Beach activities or guided excursions
• Safari park visits when the route combines beach and bush

Safari prices also vary by season, comfort level, location, and transport. One 2027 cost guide gives US$660 to US$2,750 per person per night for a Mozambique safari. That figure is not a beach-only rate. Use it when you compare a beach holiday with a beach-and-safari package.

Compare Mozambique beach and safari packages by budget to see which inclusions match your spending limit.

How should you plan a beach trip from Maputo?

Start by choosing between a mainland beach and an island stay. Tofo gives you the clearest low-cost transport example from Maputo. Vilankulo works as a mainland base for island travel. Bazaruto needs more planning because boat transfers, lodge rates, and peak-season dates can change the total.

Step 1: Set your trip length

A short trip can focus on one mainland beach. A longer holiday can combine the coast with wildlife. The available listings show a wide range, from shorter beach packages to a 17-day route priced from US$3,895.

Seven days is a sensible planning point for travelers who want beach time without building a complex route. Ten to 17 days makes more room for a safari, island stay, or both. More travel days also mean more transfer costs.

Step 2: Choose the right base

Tofo is best when the bus fare matters. Vilankulo is best when you want a mainland stop before an island transfer. Bazaruto is best when the beach itself is the main reason for the trip.

The Barra area can also help travelers compare coastal options around Inhambane. Travelers planning a wider route may review Pemba or Santa Carolina Island, but those choices need separate transport planning.

Step 3: Match transport to comfort

Public transport keeps the first leg cheaper. A private taxi costs more but can reduce waiting and simplify luggage movement. Island routes add another layer. Ask whether boat transfers are included, shared, private, or charged separately.

Maputo travelers who want wildlife before the beach can also review Maputo National Park safari packages for 2027. Travelers heading north may compare a 2027 Inhambane beach and day-trip plan.

Step 4: Check the details before booking

1. Confirm whether the price is per person or per room.
2. Check if the listed rate applies to sharing.
3. Ask for high-season and low-season dates.
4. Confirm local payments, taxes, meals, and luggage costs.
5. Read recent reviews before sending a deposit.

SafariFind helps you compare verified tour operators and read authentic reviews from previous travelers. A clear quote should show the route, nights, transfers, meals, and exclusions in plain language.

Conclusion

The best beaches in Mozambique near Maputo serve different budgets. Tofo is the strongest value choice when you want a simple mainland route. Vilankulo fits travelers who want beach time before an island trip. Bazaruto works best when the island stay matters more than keeping costs low.

For 2027, use US$1,799 to US$14,590 as a broad planning range. Treat the US$3,217 14-day itinerary and the US$14,590 high-season package as reference points, not guaranteed prices. Dates, rooms, transport, and local payments can change.

Compare the route first, then compare the operator. Compare verified Mozambique beach packages for 2027, request quotes from verified operators, and read traveler reviews before you pay.

With early planning in September 2026, you have time to compare dry-season dates, island transfers, and 2027 availability before popular rooms fill.

Plan Your Safari with SafariFind

These recommendations use real data from SafariFind, where you can compare operators, browse packages, and read verified traveler reviews before you book.

What Travelers Say (SafariFind Reviews)

References

1. Mozambique Vacation Packages with Airfare, Hotels & Tours 2026/2027
2. Top Mozambique Tours & Vacations 2026/2027
3. Best Beaches in Mozambique: Bazaruto, Tofo, Vilankulos & Beyond
4. 14 Day Mozambique & Kruger Beach & Bush
5. Best of Mozambique Safari and Beach Holiday Package
6. Mozambique Beach Holiday Guide
7. How Much Does a Mozambique Safari Cost 2027

Image alt text suggestions

• Tofo beach on Mozambique's coast near a travel route from Maputo
• Vilankulo beach and boats near the Bazaruto Archipelago
• White sand beach in the Bazaruto Archipelago during a 2027 holiday
• Traveler planning Mozambique beach and safari costs on a map