Zalala Beach

The road north from Quelimane runs for half an hour through coconut plantation, palm after palm in rows, and comes out at Zalala, a long open beach backed by casuarina trees with almost nothing built on it beyond a few simple places to eat and stay. The sand runs for kilometres, the surf is moderate, and it is where Quelimane comes at weekends. During the week it is usually empty.

What you'll find

• The beach - kilometres of open sand backed by casuarinas.
• The coconut drive - plantations lining the whole road out from Quelimane.
• The weekend crowd - Quelimane families on Saturdays and Sundays.
• The emptiness - a long coast with almost no development.

When to go

May to September is the cooler dry season and the most comfortable. Weekends bring the crowds. The rains from December to March make the road difficult and the sea rough.

Practical notes

Facilities are very basic and there is little accommodation. There are no lifeguards and the surf can be strong. The road out deteriorates in the wet season.

Nearby

Quelimane is south, and the Zambezia coast runs northeast.

Key facts