Things To Do in Vilanculos

On-site

In-House Games & Activities

Spend the afternoon at the lodge — pool games, beach volleyball, lawn sports, and a well-stocked games room. Complimentary for all guests, available throughout the day whenever the mood strikes.

Complimentary

Spa

Manicures & Pedicures

Cool Waters Spa offers classic and gel manicures and pedicures in a peaceful beachside setting. Perfect for a little self-care between adventures.

⏱ By appointment

1,000–2,200 MZN

Spa

Massages

Choose from Swedish relaxation, deep tissue, hot stone, or sports massages at Cool Waters Spa. Each treatment is tailored to what your body needs after a day on the water.

⏱ 30–90 minutes

1,500–3,800 MZN

Spa

Express Facial

A revitalising express facial at Cool Waters Spa — cleanse, exfoliate, and hydrate in under an hour. Ideal after long days in the sun and salt air.

⏱ 45 minutes

3,000 MZN

Water sports

KiteSAngels Kite Lessons

Vilankulo's consistent trade winds make it one of southern Africa's premier kitesurfing destinations. KiteSAngels run structured courses for complete beginners through to advanced riders, all on the flat water in front of the lodge.

⏱ Half-day to full course

• IKO-certified instruction
• All equipment provided
• Safety briefing

USD 100–290/course; USD 65/hr private

Water sports

Big Blue Vilankulo – Boat Charter

Charter a fully equipped speedboat for the day — snorkelling stops, island hopping, or simply cruising the Bazaruto Archipelago at your own pace. Ideal for groups wanting flexibility without a fixed itinerary.

⏱ Full day

• Skipper
• Fuel
• Safety equipment

From USD 600/boat

Wellness

Introduction to Mindfulness

A gentle entry into mindfulness practice — learn breathing techniques, body scanning, and simple meditation methods suited to first-timers. Sessions run at the lodge in a calm, shaded outdoor space.

⏱ 1 session

3,500 / 6,000 / 7,500 MZN (1, 2 or 3 participants)

Wellness

Sunrise Meditation at the Red Dunes

Begin the day at the famous Red Dunes as the sun rises over the Mozambique Channel. A guided meditation session with the dunes as your backdrop — one of the most memorable starts to a morning in Vilankulo.

⏱ Approx. 1.5 hours

4,000 / 6,000 MZN (1 or 2 participants)

Wellness

Mindful Meditation on Death Island

A boat transfer to Death Island for a secluded guided meditation surrounded by nothing but ocean, sky, and birdsong. An extraordinary private experience for those seeking real stillness.

⏱ Half-day

USD 150 / 250 / 350 (1, 2 or 3 participants)

Wellness

Three-Session Meditation Package

Three guided meditation sessions across your stay — morning, midday, or sunset, wherever you choose. A restoring rhythm for longer stays.

9,000 MZN pp

Wellness

Five-Session Meditation Package

The complete retreat experience — five guided sessions woven into your time at the lodge, combining different settings and techniques to leave you genuinely reset.

15,000 MZN pp

Off-site

Bazaruto Brewing Co. Brewery Tour

Step behind the scenes at Bazaruto Brewing Company — Vilankulo's own craft brewery. Learn the brewing process from grain to glass and sample the range of locally crafted beers in a relaxed, informal tasting.

⏱ Approx. 1 hour

• Guided tour
• Beer tasting

500 MZN pp

Off-site

Mila Magic

An intimate locally curated experience run by Mila — a personal guide who specialises in off-the-beaten-path Vilankulo. Ask reception for details; itinerary is tailored to your interests.

On enquiry

Eco tours

Seahorse Adventure – Mangalisse Bay

A guided excursion into the mangroves and shallows of Mangalisse Bay in search of seahorses — one of the most surprising encounters the Archipelago offers. A small-boat, low-impact trip that works well with curious kids.

⏱ Half-day

3,500 MZN pp

Eco tours

Vilanculos Canoe Safari

Paddle through the mangrove channels and quiet backwaters around Vilankulo with an experienced guide. A peaceful alternative to motorised excursions — great for birding and close-up views of the coastal ecosystem.

⏱ Half-day

On enquiry

Horse riding

Horse Safari – Ocean Walk

A gentle ride along the beach and into the shallows — the easiest introduction to horse riding on the Mozambique coast. Suitable for all experience levels, including first-timers.

⏱ Approx. 1.5 hours

5,000 MZN / USD 80 pp

Horse riding

Horse Safari – Beach & Bush Ride

A longer ride that moves between beach and bush, passing through coastal scrub and traditional villages. A richer cross-section of the landscape around Vilankulo.

⏱ Approx. 2.5 hours

6,000 MZN / USD 95 pp

Horse riding

Horse Safari – Fishing Village Ride

The most immersive of the three routes — ride through working fishing villages, meet local families, and see the dhow harbour at its most active. A real window into daily Mozambican coastal life.

⏱ Full day

11,500 MZN / USD 180 pp

Island excursions

Mapapay Boat Excursions

Day excursions into the Bazaruto Archipelago — traditional dhow or speedboat trips to the islands, with snorkelling, sandbank stops, and freshly caught seafood lunches arranged on request.

⏱ Full day

From 6,000 MZN pp

Island excursions

Wild Africa Ocean Safaris & Island Excursions

High-speed island excursions focused on wildlife encounters — dugong, manta rays, dolphins, and sea turtles in the Bazaruto Marine Reserve. Expert marine guides, comfortable vessels, small groups.

⏱ Full day

• Marine guide
• Snorkelling equipment
• Soft drinks on board

From USD 120 pp

Island excursions

Whale Watching

Humpback whales pass through the Bazaruto Archipelago on their annual migration between June and November. Boat excursions into the channel give you ringside seats for breaching, tail-slapping, and close passes alongside the vessel.

⏱ Half-day

9,600 MZN pp

Diving

Scuba Diving

Odyssea Dive operates from the lodge and takes certified divers to the best sites in the Bazaruto Marine Reserve — Two Mile Reef, Five Mile Reef, and the wreck of the Dorene. Expect potato bass, mantas, turtles, and exceptional soft coral gardens.

⏱ 2 dives / half-day

• PADI-certified guides
• Full equipment hire
• Boat transfer

USD 110–150

Diving

Snorkelling

Not diving certified? Odyssea Dive runs dedicated snorkelling excursions to the shallow reef systems of the Archipelago — crystal-clear water, abundant fish life, and the chance to swim alongside turtles.

⏱ Half-day

• Mask, fins & snorkel
• Guide
• Boat transfer

USD 90 / kids USD 50

Diving

PADI Courses

Get certified in paradise. Odyssea Dive runs the full range of PADI courses from Discover Scuba (try-dive) through Open Water, Advanced, and Rescue Diver. Theory sessions happen at the lodge; open-water dives on the house reef.

⏱ 1–5 days depending on course

USD 40–690

Diving

The Bulldog Divers

A second PADI-accredited dive operator based at the lodge, offering fun dives, snorkelling trips, and entry-level dive experiences. Good option when Odyssea is fully booked or for smaller private groups.

⏱ Half-day

From MT 1,500

Scenic flights

Wildlife Helicopters – Scenic Flights

See the Bazaruto Archipelago from above — a perspective no boat or beach gives you. Wildlife Helicopters (trading as Archipelago Charters) offer routes over the islands, the dunes, and the channel. Dugong are often spotted from the air on the sand flats.

⏱ 20–60 minutes

• Pilot commentary
• Headsets

R44 from USD 495; Bell 206 from USD 685

Culture tours

Tropical Adventours – Dune Tour

Explore the Red Dunes on the outskirts of Vilankulo with a local guide. Scramble to the top for panoramic views over the Bazaruto Archipelago — a short but rewarding trip, especially at golden hour.

⏱ Approx. 2 hours

2,500 MZN pp

Culture tours

City Tour & Market Visit

A guided walk through Vilankulo town — the fish market, the craft stalls, the colonial-era buildings. Tropical Adventours guides bring the stories behind what you're seeing, well beyond what a solo walk would give.

⏱ Approx. 2 hours

2,500 MZN pp

Culture tours

Cultural Experience

A deeper immersion into Mozambican coastal culture — visit a local community, see traditional food preparation, and learn about the history and customs of the Inhambane province with a knowledgeable local guide.

⏱ Half-day

3,500 MZN pp

Culture tours

Chibuene Archaeological Site Tour

Chibuene is one of the oldest known trading settlements on the East African coast, with artefacts dating back to the 7th century. A guided tour of the site puts Vilankulo's deep history into focus — unexpectedly fascinating.

⏱ Half-day

3,500 MZN pp

Culture tours

Quad Bike Tour to the Dunes

Ride out to the Red Dunes and beyond on a guided quad bike excursion. A fun way to cover ground across the sandy terrain around Vilankulo, stopping for views and photo opportunities along the route.

⏱ Approx. 2 hours

5,000 / 6,000 MZN (standard / extended route)