The town of Inhambane existed in the 10th century, and was the southernmost port used by Arabs for slave trading.

The region was visited by Vasco da Gama in 1498, who claimed Inhambane Bay for Portugal.

The province is the second largest grower of cashews (after Nampula), and also produces coconut and citrus fruit (inspiring Mozambique's most famous poet Craveirinha to write of "The Tasty Tangerines of Inhambane").

The Inhambane Bay area is of some interest for tourism, with a number of beaches, and one of the last remaining populations of dugong in Mozambique.

Imhambane Province is divided into the 12 districts of: and the municipalities of: Inhambane is famous for its music, in particular the timbila (xylophone ensemble) of the Chopi ethnic group.