Tofinho Tourism Information
Tourism Information
Located twenty kilometers from Inhambane, a world heritage site, on the ocean side of the peninsula is the colourful small village of Tofinho. The town is quite small, consisting of only forty houses and some hotels and other accommodation options which lie scattered throughout the town. Tofinho originated as a fishing village, and the locals still maintain a largely traditional lifestyle.
Tofinho is set amongst avenues of palm trees and the village has become a venue for surfers, both beginners and more experienced surfers, due to its ideal location of a more exposed and rocky headland.The beach is broad and long and made up of white coral sand, and surfers here regularly enjoy the company of dolphins. Visitors with young children should be aware of boat towing vehicles and quad bikes on the beach. There are a wide variety of decent surfing beaches in the region, with the sand point at Tofo beach point providing ideal conditions for beginners and long boarders. A short distance away, the neighbouring Coconut Bay features a splitting peak in the shorebreak, and Southern Quissico has a hollow reef break , though access proves to be relatively difficult.
The area has become a world famous destination for diving, with its magnificent reefs and huge variety of marine life. The water here is warm and divers can expect to see a large variety of fish on the reef, including the whale shark, manta rays and Humpback Whales in the deeper waters.
Fishing is a popular activity at the headland of the Tofinho beach and one of the species mainly caught are kingfish, which are found in abundance in this region. For the unsuccessful though, local fishermen can be often found selling fresh seafood on the shore everyday.
In the centre of Tofinho is a craft market and a few stalls that pass for the local super market, so most visitors make their way to the nearby town of Inhambane, which offers street cafes and restaurants, a market place and shopping which provides most of the basic necessities. Bottled water is widely available in Tofhino, as it's probably not wise to drink the local water. Amoung attractions in Tofinho is the famous Frelimo Monument to Fallen Heroes near which the unfortunate victims of the colonial period were thrown inside the sea cave to be drowned with the rising tidal waves.
The area's night life proves to be somewhat smaller than the larger cites, yet still enjoyable. One of the favourite and less formal venues is the bar at Fatima's Nest backpackers; often described as an every night party place, where visitors can enjoy various drinking games with the staff. Although probably the least authentic, Dino's Bar and Restaurant is one of the more popular spots to go for a decent meal or drinks. Taverns on the outskirts of town, usually open on Sunday afternoons are worthwhile to get away from the more popular tourist spots, and one will find friendly locals willing to share a drink and a few laughs. Local rums and gins in the area are said to be inexpensive but be warned that this is for the brace only. Tipo Tinto is a local rum which comes highly recommended.