Skipping the Caribbean resort fare this time around? Doesn't mean you can't work in a little bit of ocean and beach into your trip. Mozambique has more than 1,500 miles of uninterrupted sandy white coastline bordering the warm waters of the Indian ocean, with tiny beach towns offering tranquil spots for diving and snorkeling. The tiny capital of Maputo is accessible from Johannesburg, South Africa, by air or road (a bit of trivia: Maputo's rail station was built by Gustave Eiffel). Megan Shaw of Arlington, Va., who vacationed on Mozambique's coast, recommends the Xai-Xaibeach and nearby Imhambane, and Vilankulo for isolation and accessibility to the water. The accommodations aren't comparable to, say, Waikiki Beach -- the cabins at the smaller resorts stick to the basics -- but you won't want to spend a lot of time indoors when your backyard is an uncrowded beach in a tropical climate.

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