Casa John

Casa John forms the last outpost on the Tofinho Beach, just 20 km south of Inhambane. Its position provides spectacular coastal views, the sea spray tingling the decks of the three luxury houses.  

Resident Whale sharks loll in the immediate waters, competing for space when migratory Humpback whales make their appearance from early June to October. From the living areas, dolphins can be sighted chasing their catch, frustrating sea birds and interrupting your afternoon siesta.

There is no rush for you at Casa John. Designed and built by John and Jessica Youens, these houses were created with easy, relaxed living in mind. Domingo is on call to care for your needs, and will oversee daily cleaning.

Each house is fully equipped and comfortably appointed, and family and friends can spread out with ease between the three bedrooms and two bathrooms, sleeping up to six guests. An open-plan design marries the dining, kitchen and living areas. These all centre towards the verandahs that unashamedly stare on the beach views to either side and magnificent ocean ahead, while an enclosed courtyard in the centre of each house provides sheltered space should the wind pick up. Casa John is competitively priced and the cost includes electricity, water charges, domestic help, Domingo's assistance, as well as the night guard.

The Tofo marine area is increasingly gaining a reputation as one of the best diving spots in the world, and it is highly likely that you will spot a Whale shark en route to a dive and have the opportunity to snorkel with it. Invariably, mantas circle you in numbers every time you go down on scuba off the famous Manta Reef. Also on show are cheeky devil rays, turtles, large schools of tropical fish, and reef shark.

Casa John is superbly situated on a rocky cliff face, allowing excellent access for shore fishing, and local charters for deep-sea fishing are available, with spear fishing permitted off the entire coast. The nearby Tofo and Inhambane markets stock basic provisions and stable foods, including a selected range of fruit, vegetables, fresh bread and the famous 2M local beer. There is also a liquor store that sells imported beers, wines, spirits and cigarettes.  Local fishermen usually sell their daily catches of fresh fish, prawns, calamari and crayfish along the beaches and along the roads in front of the houses.

Tofo does lie in a malaria area and all malaria precautions should be taken. Casa John is however far from any marsh areas that can attract mosquitoes and enjoys an almost constant breeze that also drives them off. Each bed is equipped with an oversized mosquito net and all bedroom windows are fitted with netting for guests' comfort.