Beach experiences

The iconic Kochi fishing nets were introduced by the Chinese explorer Zheng He.

Visit Mafia Island between October and March to swim with whale sharks, the world’s largest known fish species, as they slowly migrate north. Take a boat out from the island to the deeper water and then jump in with snorkel and fins and float beside these gentle giants as they open their mouths and feed on plankton, completely relaxed by your presence. The water is clear and warm in this part of the Indian Ocean, and you can spend hours enjoying the company of these great animals. Head back to the island and end your day with cocktails and a tropical sunset, a life-changing experience that will stay with you forever.

Pemba’s lush, undulating interior is beautiful and wild, but nothing compared to the tropical waters that surround it. Here, fisherman craft handmade traditional sailing boats called dhows using mango wood and invite you to experience sailing their way. They can take you on a day trip to a secretive sandbank to enjoy a picnic lunch on powder sand, watch the sunset from the open ocean or jump right in and snorkel the colourful reefs that surround this quiet, castaway island.

In one of nature’s true wonders, sea turtles arrive every year to nest at Ras Kutani in Tanzania, and guests can witness baby turtles hatch and make their first beach journey towards the ocean. This activity is organised in conjunction with Sea Sense, a Non Government Organisation (NGO) that works closely with coastal communities in Tanzania to conserve and protect endangered marine species. Seeing these turtles hatch and make their way to the ocean is one of those unique experiences that remains with you long after you leave this paradise.

Part sleepy fishing village, part culinary heaven, you can’t visit Paternoster without doing a little restaurant hopping. So for a 24 hour, tastebud-ticklingly delicious foodie journey, here’s the plan. Cast off your flip-flops and head straight along the beach to Voorstrandt. The 115-year-old green and red tin hut is a Paternoster institution where the beer is cold and the fish comes straight from boat to plate. For dinner it’s Gaaitjie and chef Suzi Waterhouse’s Afrikaans classics with a seaside twist and the best sunset in town. After an early morning dip (essential to replenish the appetite!), roll in to the Strandloper Hotel for freshly baked pastries and heavenly coffee. Next up is Oep ve Koep, a rustic farm-stall-come-restaurant owned by the legendary Kobus van der Merwe. Foraging is the name of his game, so expect wild oysters in the restaurant and fynbos jam in the pretty shop. And if you’ve got an extra few hours, squeeze in a Malay fish curry under the twinkling garden lights at the Noisy Oyster. Talk about saving the best till last….

Part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Sodwana Bay on South Africa's east coast is rich in natural biodiversity, a place of whales, sharks, dolphins, manta rays and turtles. Go fishing, scuba diving or kite-surfing, join a turtle tour, and explore the area's birds and wildlife on nature walks, quad bikes or game drives.

Dubbed the 'Pearl of the Indian Ocean', the Bazaruto Archipelago is nothing short of picturesque. Ask anybody and they'd tell you, one of the best ways to take in this dreamy destination is from a dhow. The traditional way of getting around these seas for thousands of years, dhows have become synonymous with Africa's east coast. From the island's quiet beaches of soft white sand you'll watch local dhows sail to and fro on the turquoise waters. As the wind fills the wistful, curved sails, you'll cruise across the water, toasting another splendid day as the sun turns the sea from gold to pink to dusky blue. Keep your eyes peeled for flocks of pelicans, sea turtles, rare dugong and dolphin dancing in the waves! Temperate and steady most of the year (with the chance of rain between January and March), there isn't a 'bad' time for a dhow cruise.

Float above thousands of colourful fish in Africa’s great Lake Malawi. This huge body of freshwater hosts perhaps the largest number of fish species of any lake in Africa. Due to the Lake’s high alkalinity, it also has an amazingly high proportion of endemic brightly-coloured fish. This makes for an amazing snorkelling experience in the clear, turquoise water beside your lodge. There are also few plants and organic material in the lake, which makes for amazing visibility above the sandy and rocky bottom. Dive into the waters and get lost in this gin-clear paradise, as you search out new species of fish, or just sink to the floor and let your body float up to the surface as all your troubles melt away.

Depending on your plans for the day, head out in the early morning or late afternoon to explore the dunes, island roads and beaches on horseback. In the category of unique activities, this ranks highly on our list. You'll get a feel for the natural rhythm of Bazaruto as you navigate overgrown paths abuzz with birdlife, and canter past glassy lakes and across powdery white sand beaches. You could even go swimming with your horse and it doesn't much more magical than that.