LocationCasa Derika, a newly (2016) renovated self-catering house on Tofo beach is perfectly located, 100m away from the shore line, 50m away from the bursting Tofo town life and around 2 min walk to 4 scuba diving schools, lots of chill out places, as well as public transport. An awesome veranda allows you to relax and enjoy the beach in front of you. When you open the front stack doors, it feels as if you allow the beach inside the house.Casa Derika dates back to the pre-war colonial period (early 1960?s) during which a row of approximately 10 look-alike cottages was built by a Portuguese gentleman with the name of Mr. Poletta, right on the main beach at Tofo. Some of these cottages survived the period of war and were rehabilitated to their original state. Casa Derika, being one of them is located right in the middle.--Accommodation/RoomsCasa Derika has 2 bedrooms and sleeps 6 people. Bedroom 1 has a double bed and bunker bed. 2nd bedroom has 2 single beds, all beds covered with linen and mosquito nets. The kitchen is fully equipped for self-catering with cutlery and crockery for 6 guests and includes a gas stove with oven, a fridge, and a separate box freezer. The bathroom consists of separate rooms for the showers, toilet and wash basin. Casa Derika has standard SA 3 point plugs, a safe for your valuables and a nice outside braai on the beach.--Facilities/Services- The cottage is served by a house-cleaner during the daytime so there's no need for mom to make the beds, sweep the floors, or wash the dishes.- During night time (22:00 to 06:00) a guard is keeping an eye out so that your privacy and security are not compromised.- The house cleaner can arrange someone to wash your clothes at a modest fee. --ActivitiesTofinho, less than a kilometer south, is situated on a more exposed and rocky headland. The waves at Tofinho are known for very good surfing and Tofinho beach is a popular surfing spot. Most of the accommodation in Tofino is on the top of a dune and you can experience amazing views of the ocean, watching the whales and the dolphins playing in the sea. The headland is also a favorite spot for fishermen when a high tide covers the shelf, allowing casting for the plentiful kingfish into the deep waters beyond. Tofinho is also the site of the Frelimo Monument to Fallen Heroes, near to where unfortunate victims of the colonial period were thrown into a sea cave, to be drowned by the rising tide. A spectacular blow hole near the tip of the point can give a raw display of power when there is a large swell running.The warm, clear waters and abundance of sea life that inhabit the coral reefs make this Inhambane coastal area a paradise for divers. There are a great variety of diving reefs including the well-known Manta Reef. Snorkeling and scuba diving are the best-developed activities in Tofo and 4 diving schools in Tofo specializing in showing you the best of the ocean. The turquoise waters hold a vast number of game and tropical fish species as well as a variety of beautiful corals and rare marine creatures including dugongs, whale sharks, and turtles. Conditions compare favorably with those of the Caribbean or Great Barrier Reef but are far less crowded and not nearly as commercialized. Water temperatures range from 24?C (in mid-winter) to 31?C. Visibility is generally between 5 and 35 meters with 15 meters being the year-round average. Gin-clear conditions occur frequently, both along the coast and around the islands.FishingThe Mozambique coastline is renowned for its offshore game fishing and Tofo is at the heart of the action. The pristine, blue waters abound with king mackerel (barracouta), dorado, wahoo, various species of kingfish, bonito and yellow-fin tuna. The sailfish season peaks from June to August. Boats can be launched or chartered from Tofo beach. Summer is the best time if it is marlin you are after. Catch and release of all fish that will not form part of the evening meal is encouraged, as is the protection of all other natural resources and the environment.??Launch sites are carefully designated and vehicle access to beaches is strictly controlled. Angling from the shore can also be most productive. Small kingfish (2 to 3 kg) can be found from the rocks off Tofinho, particularly towards high tide, and at deep water spots, anything can happen (Adrie Prinsloo of Glass fit Witbank holds the Tofinho record of 48 kg for a Kingfish caught off the rocks at Tofinho). Kingfish, stump nose and pompano are taken from the sandy beaches between Tofo and Tofinho. Salt water fly fishing is becoming increasingly popular, particularly off the sandbars at Tofo point.SurfingThe Inhambane coastline has all the makings of a world class surfing destination, with an ideal mix of warm water, consistent swells, and sandy headlands. There are a wide variety of spots in the vicinity of Tofo, working in a range of wind and swell conditions, with the sand point at Tofo beach point being ideal for beginners and long-boarders.??However, it?s the waves around the corner at Tofino that draw the serious surfers. A shallow reef ledge skirts the sandstone headland and at low tide, advanced surfers who can handle the steep take-off have the chance of getting the ride of a lifetime. Tofinho, less than a kilometer south of Tofo, is situated on a more exposed and rocky headland and is known for its stiff currents and a shallow rock shelf makes it a place for advanced riders only.Bird WatchingInhambane Province, with its great variety of habitats, is home to over 500 species of birds. The area around Inhambane Bay, particularly the various mud flats and the extensive mangrove swamps, is popular with bird-watchers. There is a resident population of about 250 greater flamingos and on the outgoing tide whimbrels, turnstones and many other waders work the mud flats. The mangroves near Barra are home to egrets, purple-banded sunbirds, and mangrove kingfishers. The stretches of dune forest that remain along the coast harbor the lilac-breasted roller, Burchell?s coucal and gray and olive sunbirds. Ospreys, fish eagles, olive bee-eaters, Narina trojans, flamingos and numerous seabirds and waders are a common sight. A highlight for avid bird-watchers is a sighting of the crab plover, a visitor from September to April.Curio ShoppingAn array of value-for-money curios are sold at various roadside stalls, general dealers, and markets in Inhambane, Tofo, and surroundings. Colorful cloths called capulanas, worn by women around their waists, but with many other uses, are very popular with tourists as are grass mats, batik prints, wood carvings, baskets, traditional ceramics, sculptures and items carved from semi-precious stones. Always test ebony wood carvings by smelling for shoe polish or dye, or by rubbing with a damp finger. Don?t miss the huge array of ceramic pots for sale alongside the road just out of Inhambane on the EN. At Inhambane's bustling central market, one can browse for curios, fresh fruit and vegetables, bread rolls and sea food. Fresh catches arrive throughout the day. Crabs and shellfish are sold alive. If you buy fish to check for freshness a fresh fish has shiny eyes, red gills and smells of the sea. Some products are from South Africa, others are produced locally. Don?t forget to buy fresh cashew nuts. Prices are reasonable and bargaining should not be necessary.Other ActivitiesDhow trips are an added adventure although you should always allow for the impact of tides and winds on your timetable. Parasailing, windsurfing, paddle-skiing, kayaking and quad biking is also available in and around Tofo, as are escorted excursions into the towns and rural settlements.--More Info- Please note, the following is not available: WiFi, TV, Aircon, and microwave.- Casa Derika is serviced with municipal 220-volt electricity and water supply (we do not recommend it for drinking). Water can be collected from Casa Christine or Casa Isabel, which have borehole water supply. During peak season times (Christmas to New Year), the supply cannot match Tofo?s demand and periodic power and water cuts are experienced. - Access to the cottage by motor vehicle was a few years ago destroyed by cyclones. Your motor vehicle needs to be parked some 50 meters from the cottage. The night guard also keeps an eye on your car.- Tofo is a great destination all year round.  Summer months are from October to March, with daily temperatures around 30?C and humidity around 80%. Rain is more likely to fall from late December, January, and February, but these are mostly tropical showers that last only part of the day.  Winter months are April to September, with daily temperatures around 20-25?C and humidity is low.  June and July might experience occasionally rainfall.   February and August are windy months, so avoid them if you want to do a lot of diving or deep sea fishing.  Humpback whales usually arrive around mid-June and are here until mid-October and the Whale Sharks and Manta Rays are here all year round.- Internet cafes are in Tofo and Inhambane and Wi-Fi is available, mostly at the restaurants and chill out places. Public transport by bus and taxi commuting between Tofo and Inhambane and also to and from the Inhambane Airport.  Banks are in Inhambane and at the petrol station about 4km from Tofo, where you can withdraw money and exchange your currency to Meticais. The petrol station also has a convenience shop and a bakery.- Fishing RegulationsA permit, obtainable at the Maritime office in Inhambane, or at some lodges, is required for launching boats. A spear fishing license must be obtained from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism in Maputo. Fish may not be sold for commercial purposes and there are limits (6kg, but not more than 4kg of a particular species) to what bona fide fishermen and spear fishermen can take out of the country.- Kindly note, your car has to be parked about 50 m away from the house.  - We supply drinking water from our bore hole situated at Casa Isabel.