Big tide difference when the tides are spring - but this is also good as low tide creates over 30 km of sand bars that are knee to waist deep between the islands and main land. If you have a boat - recommended, you can choose what you want, waves flat water like butter smooth as well as onshore, crosshore, offshore. Beware when the tide turns, do not go into the channels you will be washed out to sea! Crystal clear, awesome. Lots of sea life.

Watch out for the razor claims in some banks, generally great launch spots all over. On the mainland the beach gets tight at high tide.

Generally the blows between 15-22 knots either from the SE or the NE. Depending on which island you go to you can choose between sideshore, onshore and offshore. Don't go and kite in the wet season - not much wind and sometimes typhoons, best time of the year to go from August through to March.

From South Africa go to Nelspruit then through the border at Komatie port through Maputo and up past Inhambane. 4x4 not totally required, but 4x4 is better to have. Or fly direct with Pelican airlines: about R3000 for a direct return ticket.

If a WWF ranger gets hold of you on the islands you must pay in Dollars. Other than that it's Africa - like the wild wild west.

Great restaurant: Casa Rex. Aguia Negra: awesome infinity pool and poolbar, restaurant with great beer and seafood, awesome crab curry and prawns.