Ponta d'Ouro

Just 2km from South Africa, a sheltered sandy bay and quality point break combine to suit all levels at Ponta d’Ouro ('point of gold’) – a rustic, laid-back coastal resort set on a long sandy beach. The woodily headland dominating the south of the bay disrupts southerly winds at the break, although windsurfers should be able to cope with the windshadow down-the-line in a big swell, and south-easterly downwinders are possible out back for kiters. The prime wind is port tack cross-on north-easterly for quality backside riding. At the foot of the bay, the water’s flat inside the point and low springs expose buttery freestyle perfection. The beach can get busy at peak season though. One bay up, Ponta Malongane is quieter than Ouro with just one lodge and a great beach-bar nestled in the south of the bay. This low-lying point doesn’t jut far out to sea, so allows south-easterlies to blow over a reasonable reef-break. Northerlies are onshore with a relentless shorebreak. Ponta Mamoli, 10km north, is the 'last outpost’ on this stretch of coastline before the Maputo Elephant Reserve. Although it boasts a perfectly good break, Mamoli is most often a rendezvous for two-hour downwinders past vast unspoilt beaches to Ponta d’Ouro. About 180km north of Maputo along reasonable tar roads, the lagoon at Bilene is an ideal beginner / improver spot. Launch from a beautiful sandy beach with onshore wind and 500m of standing-depth water. Central Mozambique remains largely unexplored for windsports, but way up north in the Cabo Delgado region – named after the headland on the Tanzanian border – are a few recognised launches near the provincial capital of Pemba. Mekufi, on the rivermouth an hour’s drive south of town, offers flat water just metres from a solid head-high wave. The beach-break stretches 2km over sand before the reef starts again. Good side to side-on winds in both seasons and gentle waves. Access down a long dirt-track from Mekufi village. There are no amenities, just a few local fishermen with their dhows on the beach, and kites are still a real novelty so expect to draw a crowd when you launch. The water’s empty so be careful, bring food, drink, and ideally a local. Murrebue, 20-minutes off-road from Pemba, is a relatively busy spot with safe parking, a restaurant, accommodation, rescue cover and a kite school. It’s a completely safe environment with a sandy bottom, no obstructions plus help on the beach to pump kites, launch, land . and retrieve! Over 10km of beach enjoys cross to cross-onshore winds in both seasons, a broad shallow lagoon that’s glass to choppy depending on tide, plus there’s always a bit of rideable swell on the reef. At low springs a 2.5km-long channel in the middle of the lagoon known as 'The Pool’ is exposed for ultimate freestyle sessions. 10 minutes north at the entrance to Pemba Bay – Africa’s largest natural harbour – The Lighthouse overlooks a perfect point-break close inshore. This usually head-high wave can go way overhead during the occasional big swell. Works best at low tide when the wave breaks on sharp reef, so not for the inexperienced.