Barra Beach Club

Barra Beach Club stretches across the Baia de Inhambane peninsula's northern tip, with broad open beachfront on one side and mangrove forests on the other. The architecture is traditional taken up a notch, with blanched walls and steep, thatched roofs. Three-course dinners are served in the high-peaked dining room, although in reality most guests prefer to take their meals outdoors on the patio. There's a swimming pool and, in the thatch's apex, a lounge with seating and great ocean views.

Twelve rooms are spread throughout the grounds. Eight deluxe rooms with large glass sliding doors face the sunrise across a mangrove-lined channel. These are sufficiently roomy inside, and have high peaked ceilings, cool tiled floors, gauzy netted beds, and good en-suite bathrooms. Nearer the beach, three ocean villas have their own private gardens, and en-suite bathrooms with spacious showers. Honeymooners are drawn to the spacious Presidential Suite, with its elegant lounge, romantic outdoor shower, and full en-suite bathroom.

The ocean's the star. At Barra, sunbathing, paddle-boarding, surfing, kite-surfing and beach volleyball are fun. Take the 20-minute drive to Praia do Tofo for excellent scuba diving and snorkelling, and the chance for some of the world's most exciting whale-shark and manta-ray viewing. Skim the water on a dhow, or spend a day in eclectic Inhambane for great photos and culinary experiences – the place once attracted maritime traders and explorers keen to admire its rich culture and hospitality.