People think of Africa as an odd place but little did they know it is one of the beautiful places on earth. Some of the nicest beaches in the world may be found on the African continent, which has 18,950 miles of coastline divided among 54 countries.
With 3,000 miles of coastline, Madagascar boasts the longest on the continent. It is home to hundreds of lovely, frequently extremely secluded beaches and offshore islands like île Saint-Marie, where the scenery is breathtaking and life goes slowly. The longest coastlines in Africa are found in South Africa and Mozambique, which boast an abundance of gorgeous beaches with breathtaking scenery. For absolute jaw-dropping views, don’t miss Cape Town’s Camps Bay.
Moreover, Mozambique is home to hundreds of offshore islands, such as the Bazaruto Archipelago, which has a relaxed atmosphere, warm, clear turquoise water, and pure white beaches. Further north are Kenya and Tanzania, with even more breathtaking coastlines. Some of the nicest beaches in these countries are off the mainland on island paradises like Lamu Island in Kenya and Zanzibar in Tanzania.
The list goes on and on and I might not finish with my intro. So without wasting much time, I’ve put together a list of some of the best beaches in Africa according to expats you should add to your bucket list. From private beaches with instagrammable views to beaches with crystal-clear water.
Best Beaches in Africa
Mafia Island – Tanzania
Mafia Island is an island in Tanzania that is less well-known. Perfectly tranquil and located roughly 100 miles south of Zanzibar, the entire atoll has just 300 hotel rooms overall, while Zanzibar has 10,000. Here, uncrowded beaches are practically a guarantee. The southern portions of Chole Bay and Butiama Beach, which is near Kilindoni, the charming capital, are the nicest. Both have lengthy shoreline changes, featuring tidal flats where the oceans come in and go out and cookie-crumb sands. There are times when swimming calls for a walk, but the benefits are always great.
The island features a protected preserve that protects various marine life amid colorful reefs and intricate dive sites. However, even experienced scuba divers are prepared to trade in their oxygen tanks for good ol’ lungs to take advantage of Mafia’s fantastic summer visitors. The greatest time to see whale sharks is between October and February during the Kaskazi season when seasonal winds bring an abundance of nutrient-rich plankton for the visually appealing fish to eat. A basic snorkel is all you need to watch these magnificent creatures.
Loango National Park – Gabon
This is an adventurous person’s beach. The Loango National Park in West Africa is home to flourishing estuaries, wide grasslands, and teeming forests. It also boasts the best tourism infrastructure and hippos love the spotless beaches. Along with buffaloes and forest elephants, the region is well known for its diverse birdlife. With names like chocolate-backed kingfishers, vermiculated fishing owls, and white-crested tiger herons, its unusual bird species would be more at home in a Roald Dahl novel.
Cabo Ledo – Angola
Angola cut off from the world for decades after the bloody civil war, is gradually opening up due to its stable politics and laxer visa requirements. With 1,025 miles of diverse coastline habitats, it is a place that begs rediscovery, and surfers were the first brave visitors. Cabo Ledo has the most beautiful and accessible beaches. Situated in a large bay next to a traditional fishing community, two hours away from Luanda, the capital, Cabo Ledo provides plenty of sandy beaches with rolling waves that are enhanced by laid-back beachside resorts. According to experts, the optimum consistency for big waves is throughout the winter months of May through October.
Bazaruto Island – Mozambique
Some of the most beautiful beaches we’ve ever seen may be found on Bazaruto Island, which is located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Mozambique and inside the confines of the Bazaruto Archipelago Marine Park. A picture-perfect vision of paradise is created by the warm, turquoise-blue ocean and the white sand beaches flanked by towering dunes and swaying palms. The coral reefs of Bazaruto, which are part of a larger archipelago renowned for their incredible diving opportunities, are also great for snorkeling.
The accommodations on the island vary from inexpensive guesthouses to the opulent &Beyond Benguerra on a neighboring isle. The island is accessible by boat or small plane. The site offers accommodations in a range of sizes of elegant thatched-roof huts that are ideal for honeymooning couples or families traveling with young children.
Camps Bay Beach – South Africa
One of South Africa’s most popular beaches, Camps Bay Beach is just a minute’s drive from the city center and offers views of the Twelve Apostle peaks and Lion’s Head. Sunbathing on the white-sand beach is a popular local activity, even though the water is too chilly for the ordinary swimmer.
This beach fills up quickly on summer weekends with visitors, families, couples, and groups of friends who come to hang out or play beach volleyball. Take a brief plunge into the Atlantic Ocean’s turquoise and emerald-striped waves to cool yourself when the temperature becomes too high. You’re not alone if you’re surprised by how cold it is despite its tropical appearance. This current originates directly from Antarctica.
South Beach Camps Bay is one of the most popular locations to stay on this beach. Original modern South African art adorns the boutique hotel, which also offers accommodations in Miami-style studios with white-on-white décor, full kitchens, and private balconies to enjoy the flaming sunsets every evening. There are several excellent beaches within a 30-minute drive of Cape Town, Camps Bay being just one of them. Situated at the base of a steep flight of stairs that descends from the main road, and arranged in a series of four wind-sheltered bays, the neighboring Clifton Beaches are equally well-known.
Nungwi Beach, Zanzibar Island – Tanzania
The island of Zanzibar, which sits off the coast of Tanzania, is a lovely place to visit. In addition to having amazing beaches, like Nungwi, Zanzibar has a vibrant cultural scene. One of Africa’s most picturesque destinations, Stone Town is home to the vibrant bazaars of the Swahili coastal commerce hub, as well as wooden dhows cruising the crystal-clear turquoise waters.
Nungwi Beach, located at the northernmost point of the island, is a stunning sight with white sand and palm trees meeting emerald water. Originally only a little fishing community, it is now a well-liked vacation spot. Excellent diving and snorkeling are available offshore. Arguably, Zanzibar is one of the best places to visit in Africa.
Anse Source D’Argent – Seychelles
The Seychelles islands are in the center of the Indian Ocean, off the east coast of Madagascar, and have long been a favorite destination for celebrities and the wealthy. This archipelago is home to hundreds of breathtaking beaches, but Anse Source d’Argent on the island of La Digue is the most stunning.
Here, the beach is snow-white, the sea so brilliantly turquoise that it seems unreal, and the rainforest tumbles into enormous granite boulders. Offshore snorkeling at the beach is also excellent. The resort areas on Desroches, Denis, and Fregate Islands boast more spectacular beaches with a more secluded, exclusive vibe. With typically sunny and blue skies, April and May or October and November are the finest months to visit the Seychelles.
Naama Bay – Egypt
Egypt’s best beach resort, Sharm el-Sheikh, is centered around Naama Bay on the Sinai Peninsula. This is where the white-sand beach meets the calm, clear, blue seas of the Gulf of Aqaba. In the distance, you can see the rocky coastline of Saudi Arabia.
Naama Bay fills up with tourists in the winter as Europeans flee their own nations’ bitter weather. Divers of all skill levels, including novices, can enjoy the world-famous coral reefs around Ras Mohammed National Park in the vicinity of Sharm el-Sheikh. The region offers great snorkeling as well.
There are lots of places to stay near this beach, such as the spacious and contemporary Movenpick Resort Sharm El Sheikh, which is perched atop a cliff and overlooks the bay. Oonas Dive Club Hotel is a nice middle-class choice where you may also take scuba diving lessons.
Le Morne – Mauritius
Le Morne Brabant, a Unesco World Heritage site, rises to the sky from the southeast corner of the main island and towers over a gorgeous, long arc of sand. About a mile out to sea, waves break and surfers ride the shallow lagoon waters, which take on the most amazing tones of blue when they get offshore. From here, the southern shoreline opens up into Baie du Cap, where a succession of secluded, stunning beaches may be found.
iSimangaliso Wetland Park – South Africa
The word “place of miracle and wonder” (iSimangaliso) comes from the isiZulu, the regional language of South Africa. This 136-mile stretch of serene, tropical coastline is deserving of the term because it is one of South Africa’s most stunning, productive, and biodiverse regions. Despite having several large beaches, the best places to swim are in the south at Cape Vidal and Sodwana Bay, which doubles as a diving destination because it has the southernmost coral reefs on the continent. By comparison, the St.
Beaches in Lucia are well-liked for day trips and make a perfect combination with an afternoon or morning safari. Still, more pristine areas can be found further north for even more seclusion. Kosi Bay, Bhanga Nek, Mabibi, and Black Rock are great places for private snorkeling and unhurried tanning. Advice: If you go between October and March during South Africa’s summer, you might be able to follow loggerhead and leatherback turtles with certified guides. Observing the animals as they make their way up a steep beach to deposit their eggs, or, if you’re lucky, as they return to the sea as hatchlings, is a timeless wonder.
Busua Beach – Ghana
Though tides and currents can be unpredictable here, as they are anywhere along Ghana’s coastline, take local advice before swimming and don’t go deeper than the locals do. The beach, which is bordered on the west by the Busua Lagoon, is widely regarded as having some of the safest swimming in the nation.
Ever since the 1960s, Busua Beach has become a major hub for Ghana’s rapidly expanding surfing industry, drawing a steady stream of low-cost visitors. Although most of the facilities are geared toward budget volunteers and tourists, Busua also attracts a more affluent clientele; the Busua Beach Resort, for example, is a well-liked weekend retreat for foreigners employed in the mining sectors in Tarkwa and Takoradi.
Cape Maclear – Lake Malawi
Though the name “sea” may be a stretch, this massive inland pool of crystal-clear water offers reasonably priced lakeside fun that extends as far as the eye can see. You may wander straight from your room onto the beach at Cape Maclear, an exuberant sanctuary on Lake Malawi, or to a bar. Past the rim, you can kayak, swim, and snorkel with the lake’s colorful cichlid species. The first freshwater natural reserve in the world, Lake Malawi National Park, includes the surrounding area as well.
Grand-Popo – Republic of Benin
Grand-Popo’s vast sandy beaches are very alluring, but regrettably not suitable for swimming due to the often choppy waves and hazardous rip currents. Instead, stay on the sand and uncover a priceless nugget of West African tradition. The holy religion of Vodun, which is more often known as Voodoo in the West, originated in Benin. Every year on January 10, Ouidah, a nearby town, hosts the Fête du Vaudou, drawing large crowds of people. Grand-Popo is the location of numerous festivities, nevertheless. Come any other time of year and just relax beneath one of the many straw huts scattered along the dunes, complete with wooden loungers.
Trou aux Biches – Mauritius
West is the best option when it comes to selecting the best beach location in Mauritius. The west coast of this jewel in the Indian Ocean is protected from the elements most of the year during the rainy season (January to March) and is home to some of Africa’s best beaches, from the secluded Le Morne Peninsula on the island’s southwest tip to the fine white sands of Trou aux Biches in the far north.
Family vacationers especially like Trou aux Biches because of its crystal-clear waters and secure swimming areas. The youngsters will be amused by the variety of water sports available, and a fantastic coral reef is only a short swim from the shore. Delectable international food is served at the neighborhood restaurants.
Lamu – Kenya
Situated near the northern coast of Kenya, the Lamu Archipelago is made up of the captivating islands of Manda, Lamu, Pate, Kiwayu, and Manda Toto in the Indian Ocean. If you’re seeking peaceful, uncrowded beach holidays in Africa, these islands are worth a visit. Take pleasure in excursions on classic sailboats, historical strolling tours, kayaking, and swimming with dolphins. The greatest months to go snorkeling and scuba diving are November through March when the water is at its purest.
Situated in the heart of Swahili culture for more than 700 years, Lamu Island is a World Heritage Site that provides exceptional barefoot luxury at wonderful beach resorts in Kenya. In addition, the island has some of Africa’s best beaches, complete with stunning coral reefs, an abundance of things to do, delicious food, and discreet, kind service.
De Hoop Nature Reserve – South Africa
Known as the “jewel of the Western Cape,” the De Hoop Nature Reserve is a handy stopover for visitors touring South Africa’s breathtaking Garden Route. It is situated around three hours’ drive from Cape Town. Part of South Africa’s Whale Coast, which is well known for offering the best land-based whale viewing experiences worldwide, is this amazing coastal reserve.
Dolphins, seals, and a variety of pelagic birds enjoy this protected maritime region as well as whales that migrate here from Antarctica between July and November to calve and breed. De Hoop, a region endowed with an abundance of marine life, rolling hills, and amazing flora and fauna, provides exceptional land-based marine safari experiences on some of Africa’s greatest beaches.
Bom Bom Island – São Tomé and Príncipe
Two tropical islands make up São Tomé and Príncipe, which is located off the west coast of Africa in the Gulf of Guinea. Barefoot luxury meets Crusoesque adventure at this undiscovered African beach paradise that’s sure to on your bucket list. Of the two islands, São Tomé is the bigger and more developed, whereas Príncipe is considerably less traveled. Some of Africa’s most exquisite beaches, from golden sweeps to powder-soft white crescents, round both islands.
Situated near Príncipe’s northern tip, Bom Bom Island is surrounded by beaches with palm trees growing on them. While deep-sea fishing, whale viewing, and snorkeling will keep active travelers occupied, the inner forests are a birdwatcher’s heaven.
Sandwich Harbour – Namibia
The Skeleton Coast of Namibia is a desolate place of desolate shipwrecks, sand dunes, and unending stretches of deserted coastline. Sandwich Harbour, located about 80 km/50 mi south of Walvis Bay, is unique even by these standards and even on the list of the greatest beaches in Africa. The Atlantic Ocean rolls and swirls with all of its might and splendor on one side. On the other side, the Namib Desert’s vast sand dunes extend hundreds of miles inland. There is sheer seriousness where they meet.
Anakao – Madagascar
Madagascar is surrounded by absolutely stunning beaches, albeit some have been marred by overdevelopment. In the southwest, Anakao is not like that. It features beautiful beaches and waters that lean cobalt blue as is typical. It also boasts the Great Reef of Madagascar, passing humpback whales, and a shoreline that is sparsely dotted with lodging. Moreover, it’s frequently uncontrolled—aside from nearby fishing boats.
Coffee Bay – South Africa
Another amazing beach in South Africa is Coffee Bay, situated in the Eastern Cape province along the untamed Wild Coast, stretching along the nation’s Indian Ocean coastline. This is where the Indian Ocean’s deep blue seas and a broad stretch of gold sand meet the verdant hills and cliffs.
Although the sea isn’t the best for swimming, it can be stormy and choppy, and there are some nice surf breaks nearby. Still, Coffee Bay is hard to top for dark, untamed beauty, and it’s a great beach for strolls. The village still has a rural feel that many travelers will find intriguing, despite the small number of guesthouses and backpackers.
Hole In The Wall, a boulder in the seat at the mouth of the Mpako River, is only eight kilometers from Coffee Bay. When the water crashes through it, it creates a breathtaking display of force.