The lagoon
Calm turquoise water.
Meraj Chhaya from Johannesburg, South Africa — CC BY 2.0 · Meraj Chhaya from Johannesburg, South Africa — CC BY 2.0 · Meraj Chhaya from Johannesburg, South Africa — CC BY 2.0 · Meraj Chhaya from Johannesburg, South Africa — CC BY 2.0 · Edward Middleton — CC BY-SA 4.0
Bilene is a beach town in southern Mozambique, in Gaza Province, on the shore of the calm Uembje Lagoon. It lies about 103 km in a straight line northeast of Maputo and is the closest beach to the capital reached by paved road. A line of high sand dunes separates the lagoon from the Indian Ocean, so its water stays clear and calm, away from the surf. The town lives mainly from tourism, became a municipality in 2013, and is often described as the closest beach to Johannesburg in South Africa. The water is shallow and turquoise and the sand white and soft, with thatched cottages and resorts looking over the lagoon from green hills. Beyond the dunes the ocean beach has real waves, and red sand cliffs show along the edges. Boats and floating platforms dot the water. The lagoon suits sailing, canoeing, windsurfing, snorkelling and paragliding. Bring sunscreen, follow safety briefings when renting gear, and take care when swimming on the ocean side, where the waves are stronger.
Calm turquoise water.
High sand between lagoon and ocean.
Red sand at the edges.
Bilene, Gaza Province, Mozambique
High dunes separate the lagoon from the ocean.
Sailing, canoeing, windsurfing and snorkelling.