Ponta do Ouro is Mocambique's most southerly town, and translated into English, means Point of Gold. The sun reflects at sunset of the point which turns to a golden colour. This is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled bays in the world.

Ponta do Ouro

Mozambique 

Ponta do Ouro is Mocambique's most southerly town, and translated into English, means Point of Gold. The sun reflects at sunset of the point which turns to a golden colour. This is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled bays in the world.

 

Ponta Do Ouro is situated at the Southern tip of Mozambique, just 5 kms from the South African border. To reach the town you enter through the Kosi Bay/Farazela Border post and travel about 8 kms on sandy roads to the town. The town consist of a motel, lodges, houses, and a couple of restaurants.

The campsite of Ponta do Ouro is right on the beach and from within the grounds of the campsite most of the diving is done. A couple of rustic dive camps are also situated within the grounds.

Dive camp

The dive camp is situated within the grounds of the campsite, and is almost on the beach. The dive camp has tents under reed shade cover, equipped with two mattresses and wooden beds, pillows, fitted sheets, pillow cases and 2 duvets.

There is a large dining area incorporating two kitchens, one for self-catering and the other providing a variety of catered packages. Fridge/freezer space is also available for the self-catering groups

Adjoining the dining area is one large braai/barbecue facility, allowing you the perfect environment to sit around the fire and relax at night after an exciting days diving. Ablution facilities are within the grounds of the Dive Camp.

The beach in front of the campsite and chalets is ideal for water sports, sunbathing and beach games.

Diving in Ponta Do Ouro

• Highly trained skippers and boats are waiting to take you to the virgin reefs in the area.
• There are dives to suit everybody's taste, from shallow reefs to deeper shark dives for the more advanced diver.
• Dolphins, whales and whale sharks are a regular sight at Do Ouro. The water temperature ranges from 21 ºC in the winter to 28ºC degrees in the summer and excellent diving can be had all year.

There are a wide varity of about 18 reefs to choose from. You can experience Bert the potato bass at Bass City or Hammerhead and Zambezi sharks at Pinnacles. Ponta Do Ouro also boasts a large number of shallow reefs such as Doodles, Chreche, and more.

Equipment hire is available at Ponta Do Ouro. The water temperature in summer is approximately 27ºC and in winter 22ºC.

The diving visibility is normally 15 to 20 meters in summer but during winter (May to August) the visibility is approximately 25 meters.

All divers must present proof of certification prior to first dive.

If you are not a diver come along for a scenic ride and experience the wonders of the sea life such as dolphins and turtles.

Some of the Ponta Do Ouro dive sites:

Shallow dives 10-18m

• Breadloaf: 10-14m Sand gullies, plate coral, rays and scorpion fish.
• Creche: 10-14m Large variety of juvenile reef fish.
• Doodles: 10-16m A favourite amongst divers octopus, potato bass, rays, moray eels and game fish.
• Paradise : 10-18m Gullies, overhangs, corals moray eels and turtles.
• Ridge: 12-16m A ledge, magnificent corals and a large cave and overhangs on this reef.
• Shallow Malongane: 12-14m Gullies and caves with corals and turtles and rays with the occasional reef shark.
• Texas : 12-16m A large reef with overhangs and arches. An ideal reef for a drift dive.

Advanced Ponta Do Ouro Sites 18m+

• Mavericks: 25-28m A pinnacle rock with a wide variety of residents, moray eels, leaf fish, frog fish and a abundance of sealife.
• Three Sisters: 21-25m Three pinnacle rocks about 70m apart. A dive not to be missed with a lot of unique fish life.
• Aquarium: 20 - 24m The 2nd sister and the name says it all. A pinnacle rock with a hole in the middle and resident bass.
• Anchor: 18- 21m An anchor on the southern end and a variety of reef fish on this fairly large reef.
• Pinnacles: 28- 42m Hammerheads, Zambezi, Dusky and leopard sharks in summer with game fish and manta rays.
• Bass City : 18- 22m Bass city is famous for its resident potato bass Bert. The 5 outcrops in the sand is alive with reef fish.
• Rianna: 19-25m Swimming through a large with a spectacular variety of fish.
• Kev's Ledge: 21-24m A rock ledge dive with turtles and different marine life.

Fishing in Ponta Do Ouro

Ponta Do Ouro is fast becoming the ideal destination for the enthusiastic deep-sea angler and boating enthusiasts due to its abundant game fish. The southern Mozambique coastline is teaming with game fish for the fisherman and skiboat faternity.

 Ponta Do Ouro activities

• Southern Mozambique is known for its abundant birdlife and the fish eagles.
• Turtles can be seen nesting from November to March on the beaches of Ponta Do Ouro
• Ponta Do Ouro is involved in a turtle research programme, the loggerhead and leatherback turtles frequent these beaches.

General Info Ponta Do Ouro:

• RSA citizens no longer need a visa to visit Mozambique.
• Fuel is available at Ponta do Ouro.
• This is a malaria area therefore please contact your doctor for advice before your visit.
• Great dining can be had at a number of different restaurants in Ponta do Ouro.
• No driving on the beach is allowed.
• No quad bikes allowed in the campgrounds. Quad bikes are to be parked at the entrance.
• As you leave the resort buy a souvenir from the local craft market as a reminder of your visit .

Getting to Ponta Do Ouro

It is about a 7 hour drive from Johannesburg/Pretoria. You can drive to the border in a normal car but only 4x4 driving is recommended for the last 14km to the resort. You can park your car at a secure parking at the border and we can arrange a border pickup from the border by the resort.

• From Johannesburg/Pretoria, take the Witbank Highway.
• Take the Hendrina/Ermelo off-ramp.
• Through Hendrina, Ermelo, Piet Retief and Pongola.
• Pongola and about 50km later turn off to Jozini. Through Jozini turn left at fork and across the dam wall drive to T-junction, turn right then follow the signs to Kosibay.
• Through Manguzi carry on straight to the border 25km later.
• After the border follow the Do Ouro signs to the resort for 10km.
• The Border is only open from 8am to 5pm, it is therefore important to plan your trip.

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