Xai Xai - City of Mozambique

Xai-Xai is a city in the south of Mozambique. It is the capital of Gaza Province.

Xai-Xai developed in the early 1900s, under Portuguese rule, as a companion port to Maputo, though its economic significance was never on par with Mozambique's largest city. Before independence from Portugal in 1975, Xai-Xai was known as João Belo, in the Overseas Province of Mozambique. It was hit hard by 2000 floods of the Limpopo, with some buildings 3 metres under water.However, shortly after the waters receded the town was opened for business again.

Xai-Xai is a bustling town with markets, shops, restaurants, bars, petrol stations banks, and a post office. A few blocks from the central market, there is an open-air furniture factory, located underneath several cashew trees. The beach of Praia do Xai-Xai, approximately 12km from Xai-Xai, has been a popular tourist attraction since Mozambican tourism was first developed. A coral reef running parallel to the shore offers good snorkeling and protects the beach from strong waves.In addition, the Wenela Tidal Pool, 2 kilometres south of the town, includes a natural tunnel and blow hole that links the pool to the Indian Ocean.