MSC Cruises adds marine safari experience Pomene Bay to SA itineraries

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Pomene Bay is a remote and unspoiled peninsula, 605km north of Mozambique’s Capital Maputo and 170km south of Vilanculos. It will offer a unique marine safari experience, complete with its own beach club, the MSC Pomene Safari Beach Club, exclusively for MSC Cruises guests sailing on MSC Sinfonia from Durban, South Africa.

Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises’ executive chairman said: “The addition to South African itineraries of Pomene Bay will be a game-changer for cruise holidays in the region. It is a reflection of our ongoing commitment to innovation, also when it comes to destinations and guest experiences.

Preservation of marine environment top of mind

Vago continued: “Our vision for creating this unique marine safari experience is to give our guests exclusive access to some of the most beautiful and remote destinations in the world, as we are already doing for example with the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Caribbean. We want guests to discover the rich and varied marine life that inhabits the waters around Pomene Bay within a context that puts the preservation and respect of the local environment as our top, uncompromising priority.

“At MSC Cruises, as a company with over 300 years of seafaring tradition we have a passion for the sea and we respect the environment in which we operate,” concluded Vago. “For this reason, wherever possible we create opportunities to protect and preserve the natural habitat of some of the amazing destinations that we have the privilege to call. We hope that in the future we can establish Pomene Bay as an official marine reserve. In the meantime, we committed to developing its facilities in harmony with the natural surroundings and with a strong environmental focus. We are also working with the local community to ensure a positive, long-term impact.”

MSC Cruises developed this destination with careful consideration of the local ecology and economy and in close cooperation with the local community. There is a ‘no trash’ policy and all garbage will be taken back on board and delivered to the adequate port facilities in Durban. All construction and refurbishing works have been carried out in a way to protect the environmental integrity of the peninsula and an energy-efficient infrastructure will help put a sustainable operation in place. To create a positive economic impact, MSC Cruises employed local people for the renovation and construction work and will employ local people to deliver the shore excursions and activities, upskilling them to meet international tourism standards.

The development of Pomene Bay is part of an unprecedented, ten-plus-year €9bn investment plan, which includes the building of up to 11 next-generation smart ships, coming into service between 2017 and 2026, as well as the development of the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bahamas.

More reasons to cruise

Ross Volk, MSC Cruises’ country manager South Africa said: “The addition of Pomene Bay will give guests more reasons to cruise with MSC Cruises. Portuguese Island represents a day of fun and festivities, Pomene Bay will enhance the cruise experience with an element of tranquillity, serenity and discovery, bringing something fresh and exciting to our itineraries.”

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Pomene Bay, Mozambique’s hidden gem, is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled destinations in the region. Uniquely positioned in the Mozambique Channel, the beautiful stretch of coastline offers breath-taking white sandy beaches and crystal clear, blue waters. Thanks to the warm currents from the Indian Ocean, the area is home to a rich variety of marine life; plants and birds, with a wide variety of tropical fish, turtles, dugongs and flamingos, to name just a few. The spectacular mangrove forests surrounding the bay are part of the Pomene Nature Reserve, a protected marine area that has managed to preserve its authentic and wild beauty thanks to its remote location. MSC Sinfonia will call once a week for a full day as part of an itinerary that also includes the Inhaca Archipelago on Portuguese Island.

The MSC Pomene Safari Beach Club, will offer a range of facilities dedicated to the guests, including a Club House complete with swimming pool, three beach bars and spa services from the MSC Aurea Spa in two private cabanas. A further eight cabanas able to accommodate up to six people each and six private cabanas can be booked for the day. For the kids, there is a jungle gym play area that will host animations, games and activities. To ensure an authentic look and feel, local artists have provided carvings and light fittings for the buildings and many of the furnishings have been made locally. Guests are able to visit a nearby fishing village, where they can purchase local handicrafts.

During their day at the beach, guests can choose to explore the area at their leisure and rent equipment to discover the ocean with snorkels, kayaks or stand-up paddle boards. A whole range of quality organised excursions are available, designed to meet differing holiday needs and showcase the highlights of the bay.