Castelo do Mar

Enquiries: book@go.mozbookings.com

Castelo do Mar is a private villa situated on Linga Linga Peninsula in the Inhambane area of Mozambique, across the bay from Barra peninsula. It is a beautifully quiet area with empty beaches and only the morning chorus of birds to awake you in the morning.

Access to Castelo do Mar at Linga Linga is by boat transfer from Inhambane, or you can drive to the villa in a 4-wheel drive.

This luxury African villa serves exquisite cuisine. From the large villa dining room to al fresco on the beach with the waves lapping your chair, dining is definitely an unforgettable occasion.

The Castelo do Mar villa also boasts a well stocked library, a games room with a pool table, black jack table, dart board and a fully stocked bar with exquisite views of the bay.

Castelo do Mar Accommodation

Castelo do Mar Rooms There are six elegant rooms, all tastefully decorated and equipped with air-conditioning, en-suite bathrooms, luxurious linen and sweeping views of the surrounding landscape.

Activities at Castelo do Mar

Pansy Island Snorkelling Trips can be arranged to the nearby Pansy Island (low tide only as the island disappears at high tide), on the island you can have a picnic, snorkel and top up the sun tan.

Fishing Charters If you want to do some fishing, charters can be arranged at the lodge so you can go and haul in that Marlin or sailfish.

Quad Bike Tours Ths is a great way to explore the Linga Linga peninsula.

Scuba Diving equipment is avaiable for hire for qualified divers, there is currently no resident divemaster at Castelo do Mar.

Spend the day relaxing at the water's edge or enjoying the many activities on offer then why not enjoy a sundowner on the veranda whilst doing a little dolphin spotting (they are plentiful) or if you are really fortunate a dugong!

Castelo do Mar Price Guide (2009):

US $ 200,00 per person per night including full board and return bot transfers from Inhambane

Exclusive Use: "house rate" of $ 1600,00 per night (maximum 12 guests.)

Tucked away in the aquamarine bay of Inhambane in Mozambique is Castelo do Mar, the luxury African holiday villa of your dreams.

Linga Linga is the tiny peninsula that juts into the Inhambane Bay and here on the water's edge is an African luxury villa that really is something special. The villa is set on the beach, just a stone's throw from the warm tropical waters of the Indian Ocean.

Castelo do Mar has six elegant rooms, all tastefully decorated and equipped with air-conditioning, en-suite bathrooms, luxurious linen and sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. The villa also boasts a well stocked library, a games room with a pool table, black jack table, dart board and a fully stocked bar with exquisite views of the bay.
This luxury African villa, however is probably best known for its exquisite cuisine. From the large villa dining room to al fresco on the beach with the waves lapping your chair, dining is definitely an unforgettable occasion.
After a hard day relaxing at the water's edge or enjoying the many activities on offer from spectacular game fishing to scuba diving, why not enjoy a sundowner on the veranda whilst doing a little dolphin spotting (they are plentiful) or if you are really fortunate a dugong!

We look forward to welcoming you to Castelo Do Mar, the luxury African holiday villa of your dreams!

Our Food
“One of our meals was grilled lamb cutlets with mini ratatouille casseroles and they were divine. Fresh fish or prawns are often served and we had prawns in a tempura batter that were to die for!”
Molly -Discovering Africa Magazine June 2007
Dining is definitely an occasion at Castelo Do Mar and the dining locations are varied from the large group dining table in the lodge dining room, to a more informal dining area in the outdoors and of course, dining on the beach with the waves lapping your chair.
House specialities include, a delicately flavoured Sailfish Capaccio (fisherman dependent); melt in the mouth pequeno (Brazillian cut of rump) simply seasoned with virgin olive oil and BBQed to perfection; Tempura Battered fish goujons that even Capetonians go ga-ga for. To say nothing of the deserts!
As Gill and Jen say, cooking and eating are the greatest of social pleasures and are always keen to try your favourite recipes. Infact, Gill may even let you in kitchen!
We were recently published in Africa Wild magazine July 2008 issue. Click here to download the article and view a few of our delicious recipes

Activities
“A dream come true, Paul caught his 800 lbs marlin, will remember this forever”
Paul and Mari du Toit, South Africa, September 2007
Fishing:
For the keen fishermen, the area offers excellent game fishing. The following boats are available for hire at Castelo Do Mar:
"MARLIN 1 and MARLIN 2"
2 x 28ft Nova Cat powered by 2 x 150 hp Yamaha outboards. Registered with the Department of transport, is fully equipped and rigged to suit the most serious fisherman with the latest communication system, fish finders, GPS and radar. Well equipped and maintained Out Riggers, Down Riggers, Fighting Chair, Rods, Bait, Live Bait Well and our Marlin Reels are all Penn International.

Price: US $ 400.00 per day
(excluding fuel which will be an additional charge)
"LOBO DO MAR"
22ft Z-Craft Invader, "LOBO DO MAR" powered by 2 x 115 hp Mariner outboards. Fully equipped and crewed. Bait supplied.
Price: US$ 250.00 per day
(excluding fuel which will be an additional charge)
"WALK ABOUT"
Mallard Swift, mono hull, "WALK ABOUT" powered by 2 x 75 hp Mariner outboards. Fully equipped and crewed. Bait supplied.
Price: US$ 200.00 per day
(excluding fuel which will be an additional charge)
Species in the area include, Tuna, Marlin, Wahoo, Kingfish, Dorado, Sail fish, Barracuda to name a few

Water sports:
For the more energetic water ski's and tubes are available for hire

Scuba Diving:
Scuba Diving can be arranged. There is no dive master on site. Divers must have their log books with them. We have some reefs close to the villa which you may want to explore or there are the more well known reefs about 30 minute boat trip away. We have wetsuits, cylinders, (including the facility to refill cylinders) available for hire.

Snorkeling:
Snorkel, masks and fins are available for hire. Snorkel sites include ship wreck next door to the villa, accessible from the beach. Other sites include Pansy Island or nearby reefs that have been discovered by the staff at Castelo do Mar.

Picnics:
Allow Castelo to put together a picnic basket, we will also find the perfect destination for you to relax and enjoy the feast.

Birding:
Ask for our bird list. Large flocks of flamingoes are a common sight.

Mangrove Excursion:
Discover the timelessness of nature in this amazing water-world in a small motorized boat or on a traditional dhow. There are many things to be learnt and experienced in this fragile environment.

Walks:
Through the coconut plantation or through the swamps at low tide.

Sunset Cruises:
Are offered either in a motorized boat or on a local traditional East African dhow.

Location
Castelo do Mar can be found on the tip of the northern peninsula on the Bay of Inhambane. This area is called "Linga Linga.Surrounding the villa are coconut forests, as well as Mangrove Swamps. Because in exceptionally high tides, the waters rise over the sands making access by road difficult, Linga Linga is often referred to by the locals as an island The town of Inhambane is roughly 550 kilometers north of Maputo, the capital of Mozambique and is accessible 5 times a week on scheduled flights direct from Johannesburg International or three times a week direct from Lanseria International, or four times a week from Maputo, or alternatively by air charter or by tar road. Castelo do Mar is a further 20 minute boat ride from Inhambane. Boat transfers from Inhambane are included in our rates.

History
Covered by large coconut plantations and famous for the production of cashews, coconuts and sweet tangerines, the province of Inhambane is one of the main tourism centres in the country today.
Inhambane is the capital city of the province. The city itself resembles a town rather than a capital city, but has a certain old world charm to it.
The town of Inhambane is 500km north of Mozambique´s capital Maputo. It is one of the oldest towns in Mozambique dating back to the 10th century and the Arab traders. In 1498 Vasco do Gama arrived with his fleets just off the coast of Inhambane. When his men made landfull in inclement weather and approached a settlement the locals told them in their local dialect ´´Bitonga´´ to come out of the rain – ´´Bela khu Nyumbane´´. The Portuguese thought they were been told the name of the region and so Inhambane got its present name.
The atmosphere and architecture in the town reflects this exciting and diverse history. Inhambane is served by an airport and a port, and has petrol stations, banks, public phones, shops, markets, a bus terminus and a museum. Side-walk cafes are dotted along the narrow streets.
The bustling Central market is well worth a visit. As is the local museum with has a good selection of photographs, musical instruments and farming implements.

Linga Linga was the site of an old whaling station. Whaling off Mozambique was initiated in 1911 by two Norwegian companies. The catches off Inhambane consisted almost exclusively of humpbacks. This station was in use up until 1915.
The remains of the slipway from this station are visible from Castelo do Mar.

Enquiries: book@go.mozbookings.com