Mozambique - Clearance
Mozambique Pre-Arrival Procedures for Yachts
Ports of Entry
The corruption and mis-management in Mozambique since independence and freedom from colonial rule, has escalated exponentially and unless you experience an emergency, it is recommended to choose carefully where you stop here. Although some places have had favourable reports from cruising boats they are the exception (Ilha de Mozambique being one). Most ports have been privatised giving the locals a license to do as they please more efficiently. Port authorities treat all vessels as commercial and there are few exceptions for pleasure yachts.
Usual Ports of Entry for visiting yachts are Maputo in the south and Nacala in the north. Pemba is a popular port for yachts heading to Tanzania
Stopovers without clearing-in are generally tolerated by the authorities who accept this – as long as you are just sheltering from the weather. However, it’s better to choose an anchorage removed from the authorities. Bazaruto, Inhambane /Ponta Barra & Inhaca Island may work, however, in the past there have been reports of yachts anchored at these locations being boarded and threatened. See Latest Reports for more information on recommended anchorages.
Immigration
Crew on board yachts in transit are typically issued embarkation cards / shore passes instead of visas, usually valid 30 days – plus many tourists visiting for short stays are visa exempt. If you wish to stay longer than 30 days, however, you may prefer to secure a visa ahead of arrival from an overseas Mozambique embassy or consulate. See Immigration for more details.
Clearance Agent
While use of an agent is not mandatory, most Mozambique ports are familiar with commercial vessels, not recreational vessels, so you will be treated as such. In order to assist with the authorities and try to avoid harassment and bribes, use of an agent is recommended. Most of the authorities do not speak English, so unless you speak Portuguese there may well be communication issues without an agent.
Other Tips
Ensure you have a courtesy flag that is larger than your national flag, as at times this has resulted in $100 fine.
Mozambique Arrival Procedures for Yachts
- Expect a lot of paperwork, delays and unexpected costs.
- If the authorities do not come to your yacht for clearance (if you have an agent they will arrange this and normally takes at least half a day), then you will have to go and find the authorities ashore.
- Visit Immigration first. This is where the highest fees will be paid (see Fees for details).
- At the Maritime offices you will pay navigation fees and be issued a licence to be in the country for 30 days with your boat. These fees are Tonnage related. The license can be extended if done prior to expiration.
- There is also Customs and Health to see.
- Formalities can be time-consuming.
- Speaking Portuguese is certainly an advantage as few officials speak any English.
Mozambique Departure Procedures for Yachts
If leaving for a foreign port, it may be advisable to leave from Maputo as officials in the smaller ports are unfamiliar with the necessary procedures for yachts.
Last updated: October 2025
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To all,
I suggest to see this video from 19 min.: Bazaruto anchorage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_DChPX9OYQ&t=5s
We are at Bazaruto beach ( 7/11/2016) and the fisherman with red shirt is the village boss and the thief.
We were at our anchorage when they indicated us a new position. No problem, we changed our anchorage .
Any way, it was difficult to trust them ( they were well looking at our deck) and, over all, the very unfriendly boss. So when we had, after a while, the visit of a rangers boat ( two uniform of them on board and. we payed a modest Park fee) I asked them if the anchorage was safe. “ No problem, Sir, my family lives here at village on the shore”
We went ashore for a short walk with some gifts (colored pens, books ecc) for children.
Before sunset we hauled out the tender and we fixed it on right side (the outboard with little chain). The day after, at dawn, the outboard was disappeared. We sailed away immediately.
I hope this experience may help…over all, don’t stay alone for more one night anchorage.
Giovanni Testa
Sv EUTIKIA
For our Madagascar, Mahajanga armed robbery look at:
https://www.noonsite.com/report/madagascar-mahajanga-armed-robbery-october-2016/
Reported by Des Cason:
I have been involved in weather f/casting and route planning for yachts coming to SA via Madagascar/Reunion/Mauritius and so far have had 22 either safe in Richards Bay or still en route, in addition, the 15 ARC yachts en route from Reunion.
Having learnt from bitter experience to stay out of Mozambique I have consistently warned yachties about the corruption and crime with the recommendation to stay away. During the past 5-7 years the port operations were privatised which one would assume would be a good thing, but this just brought into play a more efficient ”mafia” to extort exorbitant fees etc. from defenceless yachties. Threats of attaching/impounding yachts and confiscation of passports were favourites.
The bright spot to this is a report received from SV PARMELIA (Italian registry) following a visit to Ilha D’Mozambique (14 59S 40 46E). He was advised that due to the negative effect corruption has had on tourism, the central government has clamped down with draconian measures and all of a sudden it is all happiness. The fees he was charged were reasonable and he had no hassle with officials who could not be more accommodating and helpful.
Whether this is a local anomaly or a sign of what we can expect at other ports (especially needed at Nacala which is a den of iniquity) we don’t know yet, but it is a bit of positive news out of Africa for a change. I will keep you posted on developments.
Regards,
Des