FAQs – Love The Oceans

MOZAMBIQUE

Mozambique is an East African country in the Global South. We are based in a rural area which means most of the community we work with live below the poverty line. Although we have running water and electricity at our base camp, most people in the area do not. Mozambique is an ex-Portuguese colony so the widely spoken language across the country is Portuguese – the local dialect of our region is Bitonga. Mozambique has a 50% illiteracy rate, this rate is higher the region we operate in which is why our work in the schools is so important.

The rural location of our base means we’re part of a close knit community so you can expect to learn the names and recognise many of the people in our area. We’re in an incredibly friendly bay and the atmosphere where we are is very positive due to the great work we do in our community and our reputation that precedes us.

The climate is tropical, with two major seasons: the wet season, October – March and the dry season April – September. We’re based in the south of Mozambique and temperatures reach as high as 45°C in the wet season. In the dry season it can be cooler, particularly at night.

TRANSPORT

WHEN SHOULD I ARRIVE?

Try and arrive at Inhambane on the exact start date of your course that we’ve provided. This is usually a Sunday so you will have a day to settle in before we start training. If you can only arrive the day before, don’t fret, we’ll still pick you up! You’ll just need to book an extra night with us.

WHEN SHOULD I DEPART?

You need a return flight booked for your visa, so even if you think you’ll end up staying longer than originally planned. You should plan to depart on the finish date of your program. If you are departing from Inhambane with LAM (i.e. not doing Safari) then you can book a flight any time of the day (there is usually only one departing flight every day). If they don’t have flights on the day you require, or you are not flying from Inhambane you may have to fly from Vilanculos or Maputo and taxi there – details for organising this are in the next section.

If you ARE participating in the Safari week, do not book a LAM return flight from Inhambane. You will travel overland on the safari from Mozambique to South Africa. You will need to book your flight home from Johannesburg airport no earlier than 8.30pm local time – the reason for this is your Safari transport link will not arrive into O. R. Tambo Airport (Johannesburg) before 6.30pm

WHAT ARE THE BEST FLIGHT OPTIONS TO LOOK AT?

We recommend looking first at return flights from your home airport to Johannesburg or Maputo. Our nearest airport is Inhambane but LAM is the only airline that flies there and can be incredibly unreliable. For this reason we recommend flying into Maputo or Vilanculos (with South African Airlink) and then getting a private overland transfer from there. You can book this with our transport partners directly by whatsapp (+258 84 282 9054) or email amigostours84@gmail.com. The company’s name is Amigos Tours and their owner is called Ernesto. They charge per car rather than per person so it’s advantageous to connect with other volunteers via the 2026 facebook group and share a taxi. 2025 pricing is 13000met for the 8hr drive from Maputo, or 9000met for the 4hr drive from Vilanculos. You cannot get metical out before arriving in Mozambique, so you can just ask your driver to stop by an ATM and you can withdraw cash to pay them then.

WHAT AIRLINE SHOULD I FLY WITH TO JOHANNESBURG OR MAPUTO?

It’s up to you. The cost of flights varies with airline so going on a flight comparison site would be advised if you want the cheapest flight. We often use google flights or cheapflights. Booking with the airline direct can give you more security though.

WHAT AIRLINE SHOULD I FLY WITH FROM JOHANNESBURG OR INHAMBANE?

LAM airline is the only airline that flies to Inhambane. You will have to book this flight separate to your other flight so make sure you have enough time to make your connection. You can book this online very easily on LAM’s website. Flights from Johannesburg tend to go via Maputo or Vilanculos. Please see information on the previous page about possibly avoiding LAM. If you’re worried about LAM’s reliability, you can fly with Airlink into Vilanculos and we can help you organise a private transfer from Vilanculos to Inhambane.

HOW DO WE TRAVEL FROM MOZAMBIQUE TO SOUTH AFRICA WITH SAFARI?

You will travel with our trusted travel partners by private bus from Jangamo to our partners in Balule Private Game Reserve. From there, you will then travel by bus with our travel partners to Johannesburg airport. These transfers are included in your safari price and have been risk assessed and safety checked to Love The Oceans’ standards. It’s a long journey so bring a book!

WHAT ABOUT MY BAGS?

We strongly recommend you carry your valuables (all electronics in particular e.g. laptops, phones, cameras and things like sunglasses, contact lenses etc.) in your hand luggage for the whole journey to be safe. Please bring a backpack as hand luggage as this will come in useful for field work. We recommend adding airtags (or android equivalents) to your hold luggage so you can track it, and wrap it if you have any valuables in there.

CAN I MEET PEOPLE BEFORE I GO?

In person meets are virtually impossible due to the international nature of our programs. However, please do request to join our Facebook group for the season and introduce yourself to connect with others on your expedition pre-departure.

VISAS

WHAT DO I DO ABOUT GETTING A VISA?

MOZAMBIQUE: Talk to the Mozambique embassy in your country for the latest news regarding visas. Be sure to leave enough time. You cannot apply more than 3 months in advance for your visa and we’ll send you the paperwork you’ll need. If you’re staying for 30 days or under and you’re from a visa exempt country you do not need to apply for a visa. If you’re staying for longer you can extend in country, or apply for a visa for ease. If you’re not from a visa exempt country, you can apply for a visa through the e-visa website. You can apply for a 60 or 90 day visa depending on your length of stay with us. It usually takes 1-2 weeks to process. Everyone, regardless of whether you need a visa or not must apply for pre-approval to enter the country at least 48hrs in advance of your trip through the e-visa portal.

SOUTH AFRICA: If you transit through South Africa on the way to Mozambique, British, American, Australian and some European passport holders are not required to obtain South African visas for visits of up to 90 days. Please check your individual visa requirements based on the passport you intend to travel with.

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTATION

WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I NEED TO PROVIDE TO LOVE THE OCEANS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE?

You are required to provide a copy of the following documentation along with the final payment for your expedition.

– Copy of your Travel Insurance (including Diving coverage/DAN cover)

– Copy of your Flight arrival/departure

– Emergency Contact details form completed

– Copy of the photo page of your passport

– Proof of a clean criminal record

WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I NEED FROM LOVE THE OCEANS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE?

You will require a Confirmation of Stay letter in order to apply for your visa or pre-approval, this will be provided to you by email (PDF) upon receipt of the above documentation.

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

Please ensure you give a copy of these to your emergency contact:

Email
info@lovetheoceans.org
francesca@lovetheoceans.org
yudmila@lovetheoceans.org

Please ensure you complete our emergency contact form before coming out to Mozambique.

DIVING

WHO DO WE DIVE WITH?

Love The Oceans operates in closely with our trusted partners – Jay’s Pro Dive Centre in Jangamo. This PADI dive center employs experienced instructors each season and maintains a team of resident diving professionals. We rent their equipment, including scuba gear, boat, and skipper, for both our diving and snorkelling activities.

CAN I BRING MY OWN DIVE GEAR?

Yes. There is an area for you to store your own diving gear if you’d prefer to bring and use your own. We strongly recommend bringing a dive computer with you.

ACCOMMODATION AND MEALS

We stay in backpacker style accommodation Blue Moon in Guinnjata Bay. This means running water and electricity, mosquito nets and fully functioning bathrooms. You can choose to be in gender separated rooms, or you can opt for gender neutral accommodation. All your meals are included in your program fee. You’ll have breakfast, a packed lunch and a cooked dinner every day apart from weekends when your lunch may not be a packed lunch as we’ll all be on site or at an organised activity. Our food is almost completely locally sourced, helping our community and the planet. Main dishes will consist of rice or cassava with coconut, matapa or beans. We can cater for vegans, vegetarians and most mild allergies, but we cannot cater for severe allergies. Please bring snacks if you’re a fussy eater, or protein powder if you’re prone to low protein levels – our diet does not involve a huge amount of meat.

MONEY

HOW MUCH SHOULD I BRING?

Since you’re already on a catered package as part of your program fee, extra spends are usually minimal. There’s a local shop close by that has a few western luxuries where you can buy chocolate, fruit and drinks etc. Other spends may include optional extras such as further diving qualifications (these can be paid on card). Your bar tab can be paid on card but the on-site tuck shop is cash only.

IS THERE ANYWHERE I CAN GET CASH OUT?

Every couple of weeks we’ll make a trip into town and there is a cash point there. This will give you money in the local currency (Metical). You MUST advise your bank that you are travelling to Mozambique and South Africa otherwise it is highly likely that your card will be blocked. Currently, Amex and Mastercard are not accepted in most places – try to bring a visa card with you or other brand.

WHAT CURRENCY SHOULD I BRING?

Mozambique Metical (MZN) is the local currency which is taken everywhere. South African Rand (ZAR) is also commonly used and accepted most places. You cannot get Metical outside of Mozambique and we can take you to a cash point on arrival so don’t worry about bringing local currency with you. The visa waiver fee is $11 and we recommend bringing cash for that, or the equivalent in a different currency.

MEDICATION

Please seek guidance from your general practitioner, practice nurse or travel health clinic on this but here are few typical guidelines.

DO I NEED ANTI-MALARIA TABLETS?

It is highly recommended that you take malaria medication. The area of Mozambique we are in has a low malaria rate and it is the least damaging strains since we are in a coastal location, but it is still recommended.

WHAT MALARIA TABLETS SHOULD I BUY?

Since some of your time will be spent diving it is ESSENTIAL you make sure your malaria tablets are compatible with diving. The most common anti-malaria tablets used that are compatible with diving are Malarone (more expensive but less side effects) and Doxycycline (more side effects but significantly cheaper), you will need to discuss with you medical professional which medication is best for you.

WHAT JABS DO I NEED?

Since Mozambique is not a yellow fever district it is not a requirement for the program that you have this jab (vaccination). Go to your doctor or a travel doctor and ask which jabs you need. You’ll need to know what jabs you’re up to date with and which ones you’ll need boosters on for them to make a decision. We’ve found the most common ones that people get are Hep A and Hep B, and that is usually just a booster/update jab. If you are participating in safari please get a rabies jab.

DO I NEED TO BRING MEDICATION WITH ME?

Bring enough prescription medication you take for the entire duration of your stay. Pack this in your HAND LUGGAGE. There is a medical unit close by and we have access to the pharmacy and hospital but it is strongly advised that you bring your medication with you. The language barrier can make it hard to communicate what you want, and if you are prone to something ( e.g. UTI, IBS, eczema) we have found it best if you bring a course of your usual treatment. We recommend bringing a basic first aid kit with headache tablets (e.g. paracetamol/ibuprofen), anti-histamines, rehydration sachets, blister plasters and some anti- block ear clearing liquid for between dives (easily available in your nearest boots).

WIFI

There is no WIFI, but you can connect through your mobile device on 3G/4G data. You can easily purchase a local SIM at our nearby shop and run internet/data at your own cost (data is quite cheap in Mozambique, 5GB costs around £6). Please ensure your phone is unlocked from your home network PRIOR to departure otherwise the local SIM will not work.

THINGS TO MAKE SURE YOU'VE DONE BEFORE YOU GO

MAKE SURE YOUR JABS ARE UP TO DATE
YOU HAVE YOUR MALARIA TABLETS
Unlock your phone (needs at least a week) – there is no Wi-Fi
Make sure you’ve secured your visa if you need one.
Insurance – making sure you are covered for your travel, medical and diving and have sent us a copy!
THERE IS NO POST IN MOZAMBIQUE – bring anything you need with you!
You have sent LTO all the required documentation (insurance/flights/emergency/criminal record check)

ESSENTIAL PACKING LIST - THINGS TO BRING

We recommend the following items to bring with you:

Re-usable lunchbox + breakfast box
Surface marker buoy for diving, and we recommend your own mask and fins
Your dive computer
A dive knife
Waterproof jacket – we complete our research no matter the weather!
Laptop + charger – bring a zip close laptop case as the humidity and salt-spray can damage technology
Home country to European (2 circular prongs) adaptor
Your GoPro/Camera + charger + memory card (optional but advised)
Phone + charger - a sand proof/waterproof case is strongly advised
A4 Notepad, Clipboard + Pens
Swimsuits
Towels x2 (one freshwater, one saltwater)
A set of old clothes to paint in that cover your knees, shoulders and chest
Jeans/full length trousers for when we go into town & teach at the schools
Large drinking canister, 1.5L minimum
Rehydration tablets - you WILL need these!

soft backpack for daytime activities
In the evening it can be cold. Bring some warm clothes
Shorts/skirts
Tops/t-shirts
Flipflops/shoes – including one pair of closed top shoes for going into town and if you're going on safari please bring trainers
Pants/underwear
Any dive gear you want to bring with you
Sun cream (remember the sea will increase the intensity), try and get reef safe suncream
Sunglasses – UV protection
A sunhat – especially if you’re prone to sunstroke
Spending money
Personal hygiene products & toiletries
Prescription Medication – read the common side effects of your malaria medication
Clothes wash if you want to wash your clothes by hand although there is a washing machine for use for a small fee
A basic first aid kit – plasters, antiseptic wipes, antihistamines, ibuprofen, paracetamol, general medication etc.
Sea sickness medication if you're prone to it

We request that all our participants please bring out at least 5kg of donations each – this can include stationary for the local school (books, pens, paper, rulers etc.), useful items for the swim project (swim costumes, goggles, hats), menstrual products for our gender equity program (tampons, reusable pads and cups), unlocked phones (iphone 7 or newer), laptops (that can process gopro footage at speed) or any useful scientific equipment (measuring tapes, clipboards etc.). Please see our Amazon Wishlist for more ideas.