We are located on a prime position right on the unspoilt Beach of Vilanculos Southern Mozambique, 700 km north of the capital, Maputo.At Dolphin Dhow you can truly admire the beauty of the Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magauruque & Bangue Islands whilst relaxing from the private deck..If you are looking to explore the Archipelago Islands, We provide the highest quality adventurous Island tours....Come join us for some fun in the sun. Here is your chance to enjoy an unforgettable Indian ocean Island experience and also venture into places where no man has ever been.
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HOTEL STYLE
Budget
Family
Languages Spoken
English, Portuguese
Location
Beach Road Rua Do Marginal, Vilanculos 1304 Mozambique
Dolphin Dhow Accommodation
18 reviews
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
We contacted the phone number on the website and booked camping. When we arrived, it was clear that no camping was available. As it was late we decided to stay in a room. The room was clean and the shower was hot. However, the bar was next to the room, and external guests were very loud. In addition, the pump needed to pump the water for showering and toilet is very loud. Overall experience was okayish, and the staff is trying its best.
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Date of stay: May 2022
Value
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Unfortunately,i am surprised regarding this review here. I have been in this lodge twice and i am really happy with their services... they are honesty and i was with my kids,my husband and my in laws... they was in mozambique for the first time....my mother in law,was very happy regarding the rooms,are clean,have everything and air ac,hot and cold water always,nice bathrooms,comfortable garden,wonderful view,the owner named MR.Junior was really a good person...he served us in a good way and we was very surprised how mozambique people treat us... i payd 40 pound each room and the suit was full book. the suit a think he was charge 65 pound /night... very advice for any family...
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Date of stay: July 2013
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
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Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I stayed at the Dolphin's Dhow for the fourth time and wanted to comment on it earlier. Now, after having again a wonderful time, I'd like to share my impressions. I was travelling with my best friend, visiting from Spain and we stayed a week at this really nice lodge with its fantsastic view and terrace on the beach. We were hosted in a nice cosy room in safari style. Rooms, showers, bathroom and the rest of the facility are very well kept and are given a speicial touch with many beautiful details. I love the plenty of flowers and bougainvilia that decoreate the place. And hanging out on the terrace right above the beach is simply amazing. Dolphins Dhow is really a good alternative to the big mainstream hostels. Enjoy Vilanculos and, of course, Bazaruto!
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Date of stay: October 2014
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My friends and I arrived in Vilanculos and found that many places were booked so we didn't have a place to stay for the full time we were there (4 days.) On our way to dinner we passed Dolphin Dhow and rang the bell to ask if they had rooms for backpackers. We were showed several rooms and met Michael. He told us that they don't advertise because they usually try to give rooms to people who are also doing to the dhow with them. He then told us that he waits for people to call from the airport and he tells them they are getting a special "package deal" by staying and booking the dhow with them, but that it isn't actually a deal at all and he can get away with doing this because people are comforted by the fact that he speaks English. He then commented that he could "spot a lonely planet backpacker immediately" and take advantage of that. At the end of the conversation he told us we were more than welcome to stay, no matter who we booked a dhow tour with. Since we were desperate for accommodations we went back early the next morning. Michael greeted us and told one of the staff to give us two waterfront rooms. Then he asked who we were taking the dhow with. When we told him we had chosen another company he became upset then excused himself. We waited in the office for about 10 minutes before Michael sent another staff member over to inform us that there were no longer rooms available. The Dolphin Dhow tour goes to the exact same place as the other tours, despite costing more. Michael also misquoted the Vilanculos set diving fee. I have never met Junior, but based on my impression of Michael alone, I would not give my business to a place that overcharges and takes advantage of backpackers...especially when there are so many friendly and inviting places in town that all work together.
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Date of stay: August 2010Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Juniorcassamo, Owner at Dolphin Dhow Accommodation
Responded 2 Aug 2015
Thank you for your review. Michael does not work here anymore. We are sorry for your experience.
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Challets are very small and not good equipment. Nice view from the tarace only but beach under dirty and a lot stones. For that money you can find a lot nice places on the north part of Vilanculos. Don't use dolphin show safarii. Terrible experience!
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Date of stay: August 2014
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Juniorcassamo, Owner at Dolphin Dhow Accommodation
Responded 2 Aug 2015
Thank you for your review. Actually, we have all kinds of rooms: dorms, one bed suites, and even large suites with two double beds, and the beach out front is one of the cleanest in Vilankulo. The other side of the beach gets garbage from the summer Sunday parties. The stones are natural.
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I was by myself, my first time in Africa and pretty tired from the long, uncomfortable trip by bus from Maputo. This guy, Junior, took advantage of the fact and charged me 100 euro for night for a room that he define "suite" because it has the bathroom. It's a simple cottage, nothing special, with old and smelly sheets and towels. I almost had to argue to have something for breakfast and it was always just a couple of fried eggs and some bread. Avoid, avoid, there are many others nicer and much cheaper place n Vilanculo.
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Date of stay: July 2012
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Juniorcassamo, Owner at Dolphin Dhow Accommodation
Responded 9 Dec 2013
Good Day, We don’t know who you are, in our register we had no Italian guests staying with us in the month of July 2012, I have tried many times to respond to your review and hopefully this time it goes through… Firstly I have never charged a guest 100 euro per night, we charge 3000 Meticais (for 2 people) which is $100 USD. Secondly, our Bungalows are comfortable for many other travelers who have enjoyed their stay with us, they are not for guests who want room service in the middle of the night, or a tourist information office, judging but your profile, it seems to me that you need to stay in a five star environment, instead of a self catering establishment like Dolphin Dhow, our bedding is changed on a daily basis for your information, please don’t make false defamatory remarks about us. Lastly you said that they are better places to stay in Vilanculos… why have you not written a review about the other cheaper and nicer places as you have done so by giving over 500 contributions, from the many countries that you have visited? If by any chance, that you stayed with us, and you wanted a continental breakfast, all you had to do was ask, as we do have a chef available for guests who don’t want to cook, at a cost that is.
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As sister we are travelling the world and during our stay in Vilanculos, we stayed at Dolphin Dhow. It is a ver cosy and colourful accommodation,located next to the ocean. The rooms are very comfortable and offer everything you need, such as: airco, wifi, a garden balcony, a large bed, showers and toilet. Also there is a chef working for Dolphin Dhow and he can make delicious meals! Another thing that we really liked was the tours they offer. We went to one of the islands nearby, they will prepare a delicious meal for you. We had the pleasure to eat fresh crab, rice and salad, really delicious. The price for this accommodation is also relatively cheap, which makes it perfect for backpackers, and tourists on a budget. We would absolutely recommend this place in Vilanculos.
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Date of stay: April 2018
Value
Rooms
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
You get really warm hospitality in Dolphin Dhow, and all staff are attentive and really trying to help you have a good and relaxing time. The rooms are nicely decorated, spotlessly clean, located in a garden setting, with a small romantic terrace overlooking the sea. Dolphin Dhow is the largest and most experienced tour operator of Vilankulo, and you can easily make booking arrangements while you are there. A better online communication would have helped with the booking of both the accommodation and the sea activities.
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Date of stay: August 2017
Value
Rooms
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Junior, the owner, and Mito, the tour guide, were Awesome, along with the rest of the staff!! Everyone was friendly & very accommodating! We stayed in a spacious suite with our own bathroom. The shower was nice & hot! There was wi-fi available if you needed to connect. The common area was peaceful to chill at. I stayed in the hammock overlooking the beach most of the time. Dolphin Dhow is a nice little get away I definitely recommend! Until next time!! Thanks a Bunch!! :)
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Date of stay: August 2017
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Overall, everything worked in dolphin. Food was absolutely fantastic and the staff was accommodating. Slightly pushy with the tours but overall a great place to stay!
I'd say definitely keep it as an option during your visit
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Date of stay: December 2016Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Vilanculos area.
LOCATION
MozambiqueInhambane ProvinceVilanculos
NUMBER OF ROOMS
5
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