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With 25,000 miles (40,000 km) of coastline to choose from, there’s a lot of competition when it comes to the best beaches in Africa. From the tried and tested to hidden gems in little visited corners of the continent, I drill down to my top 10. So whatever your plans, don’t head anywhere without checking out these stunning stretches of sand first!
10. Essaouira, Morocco
The Kingdom of Morocco may not be your first thought when it comes to the top beach resorts in Africa, but hear me out as I convince you otherwise.
Pronounced something like ‘essa-weera’, this little North Atlantic port city has charms aplenty. Handcrafted fishing vessels painted the richest of blues still bob up and down in the harbour, while its medina’s narrow lanes are a relaxing alternative to those in Tangier and Marrakesh.
Bohemian in atmosphere, many of its buildings have been turned into cool cafés or small art galleries welcoming of holidaymakers and digital nomads alike.
The beach itself isn’t everyone’s cup of tea (of which Morocco has plenty). Offshore winds can make it difficult in sunbathe in comfort much of the year.
However, this wide expanse of golden sand is the perfect spot for a walk or a quick camel ride (you won’t want a long camel ride, trust me). Beach football is popular on the weekends, and it won’t be hard to join the locals in a game.
For swimming, stick to the waves closest to town. But most people end up staying in Essaouira for its surf scene. Windsurfing and kite surfing are particularly popular. A growing number of rental stores and surf schools providing all you’ll need, from kit to beginner surf lessons.
9. Quirimbas Archipelago, Mozambique
Head to the Quirimbas and you’ll encounter pearly white beaches free of crowds and littered with nothing but shells.
Located off the northern portions of Mozambique’s extensive coastline, the Quirimbas Archipelago (or Quirimbas Islands) have much more in common with the island destinations of the Indian Ocean like the Maldives then with mainland Africa.
Still developing as a tourist destination, service isn’t as slick as in the resorts of the Maldives, however you certainly won’t be roughing it.
Made up of 32 individual islands, some no bigger than a city centre park, they have rapidly developed a reputation as one of the best places for scuba diving in Africa.
Tropical coral reefs inhabited by almost 400 species of fish dot the shallows around these islands. They can often be explored without the need for a boat, straight from the beaches.
Non-human visitors include endangered hawksbill turtles, humpback whales and dolphins. A stable population of dugong (sea cows) reside here too, chomping down on the sea grass.
Going their own way for so long, the island’s culture blends African, Arab and Portuguese traits. The historic star-shaped fort on Ibo Island is a must for anyone with an interest in the history of the region.
If your budget doesn’t stretch quite as far as the islands themselves, take a look at Situ Island Resort. Despite the name, it lies within the mainland part of Quirimbas National Park. Alternatively, make the rather rough journey to the palm woven huts of Swahili speaking Quisanga, where you’re more likely to encounter a chicken on the road than a motor vehicle.
8. Pointe Denis, Gabon
If you find yourself in Gabon on the trail of lowland gorilla or forest elephant, it’s possible you’ve already discovered the gem of a coastline this central west African nation has at Loango National Park.
One of the continent’s most exclusive wildlife destinations, its shoreline is home to surfing hippos and significant numbers of humpback and killer whales.
A fun weekend alternative is the beach at Pointe Denis. Part of Pongara National Park, Pointe Denis sits on the opposite side of the Gabon estuary to the capital Libreville. Only accessible by boat from Port Mole, a small boat makes the journey a couple of times a day on Saturdays and Sundays.
Overnight visitors are accommodated at one of the handful of resorts beside the beach. There are plenty of activities to keep you entertained, from surfing to quad bike rides, though most come to rest on the sands after working in the capital all week.
Visitors tend to be a mix of better-off Gabonese and expat French workers. Stay overnight at the right times of year and amid the solitude there’s the chance to see turtles dragging themselves ashore to lay their eggs, or their hatchlings breaking free of the sands to return to the ocean.
7. Nkhata Bay, Malawi
Situated midway along the western shores of Lake Malawi, Nkhata Bay’s Chikale Beach has been attracting visitors since not long after explorer David Livingstone pitched up here in the mid-1800s.
During the week, its sands are left to the few travellers seeking out a place to unwind. At the weekends, and particularly after mass on Sunday mornings, the beach takes on an altogether different appearance.
Sound systems are set up as locals head out to enjoy all the lake has to offer. Don’t worry about the fact Nkhata Bay is considered one of the lake’s larger ports, it sees little more than a few local boats and the Ilala ferry.
Instead, the area is actually pretty easy to miss if you didn’t know it was there, giving a sense that maybe the last century was all a dream.
Closer to town you’ll find the base of the long-established dive school, with the lake one of the cheapest places to get your dive certificate worldwide. Pros then have the chance to meet the lake’s famed cichlid fish eyeball to eyeball.
6. Hurghada, Egypt
Hurghada lies almost directly opposite Sharm El Sheikh, on the eastern shores of the Red Sea. Much easier to reach if you’re exploring the Nile Valley, this tiny fishing village became a major tourist destination in the late 1980s.
The reason? Incredible beaches alongside Red Sea snorkelling and a nightlife akin to the party islands of the Mediterranean.
If it’s authentic Egypt you’re after, I’d give Hurghada a wide berth. But if it’s budget-friendly fun in the sun that’s the order of the day, keep reading!
Scorchingly hot in the summer months – it was 41°C away from the sea breeze when I was there in August – Hurghada is primarily a winter sun destination.
It’s especially popular with eastern Europeans, with Cyrillic writing not hard to find on store windows. There are no less than four schools teaching in Russian.
Its beaches gently slope into turquoise waves, and have all you would expect from a European beach resort. Sun loungers and umbrellas aren’t difficult to find, although trying to reserve them in advance may be advisable at busier times of year.
A mixture of public and private (hotel-owned beaches), whichever you choose you can be sure they are never more than a short distance away and will be every bit as fine as you think they’re going to be!
5. Ponta do Ouro, Mozambique
As close to the border with South Africa as you can get while still being on Mozambican territory, it’s no surprise prices in Ponta do Ouro are quoted in rand as well as metical.
Its proximity means most travellers you’ll meet are South Africans nipping across the border. This makes it a good first stop for anyone a little nervous about heading deeper into Mozambique.
A long stretch of pale sand backed by low forested slopes, it’s a beach relatively free of facilities, meaning it’s more towels than sun loungers.
A popular place for the local kids to hang out, the sunrises are sublime, though do necessitate an early wake up call. So does the transport out if you’re reliant on the country’s minibus network.
On the plus side, Ponta do Ouro’s cantinas have some of the best seafood in the region, the beers are the right side of chilled, and no one’s going to say a thing if you don’t budge from your spot on the sand for the day.
4. Tokeh & River No 2, Sierra Leone
Separated by the narrow estuary of River No 2 – a boatman stands waiting to make the crossing a dry one – Tokeh & River No 2 have to be some of the best beaches in west Africa.
And you don’t have to trust my word alone. In the 1970s, the French elite used to fly in on Concorde for the weekend, while the same beaches were chosen for the shoot of Bounty’s famed ‘taste of paradise’ television adverts.
It’s tempting to stop right there. Do you need to know more than Tokeh and River No 2 beaches are tastes of paradise? Probably not.
Together, their pure white sands are a couple of miles in length, dotted every so often with resorts that disappear into the bush, including Tokeh Sands.
To experience an authentic west African town, stay to the south around Tokeh itself, which can be reached via the Peninsula Highway. Most beachgoers instead choose to stay around the mouth of the river, where colourfully-painted if roughly built chairs and tables contrast with the sand, sea and sky.
They provide the perfect place to enjoy a lazy breakfast, lunch or dinner. Being on Africa’s west coast, they’re a great place to enjoy the sunsets too!
3. Diani Beach, Kenya
Half a continent away from Tokeh and Rivers No 2 beaches but sharing the same bleached white appearance is Kenya’s Diani Beach.
Often rated as one of Africa’s top beaches in surveys, it spans a massive 11 miles (17 km) of the country’s Indian Ocean coastline. Just a short distance south of Mombasa, this hasn’t affected the water quality, which is still clear enough to see the sandy bottom as you wade out into the shallows on its sandbars.
At its northern end it’s worth seeking out the sixteenth-century Swahili culture Kongo Mosque ruins before taking advantage of water sports. These include snorkelling, kite surfing and jet skiing.
Angelina Jolie and Jose Mourinho have both (separately) enjoyed Diani Beach in recent years. However, you don’t have to be a Hollywood A lister or top-flight football manager to appreciate the mix of beach tranquillity, shopping and culture that Diani offers.
2. Durban, South Africa
A host city for the 2010 South Africa football world cup and the country’s third largest city (after Johannesburg and Cape Town), Durban has a commanding position on South Africa’s Indian Ocean coast.
Choosing between its beaches is difficult, since those which line the city centre are all family-friendly beaches of the richest sand. Often watched over by lifeguards – always swim between the flags – shark nets keep unwanted visitors at bay. And because of their miles of sand, there’s space for everyone even on busy days.
Sometimes called ‘South Africa’s playground’, Durban is the domestic holiday resort of choice for many. Together, its beaches are known as the Golden Mile, lined with places to eat and sleep at its southern end. It’s backed by parkland towards the Blue Lagoon in the north.
A wide renovated promenade runs much of the way, adding to the feeling of traditional seaside resort. For surfing, another popular past time, the bravest boarders hitting the waves around North Beach.
1. Chindidi Beach, Comoros
The Comoros islands sit a little way north of Madagascar. Chindidi Beach can be found on the largest island in the group, Grande Comore, or Ngazidja. For tropical island vibes with a little added realism and authenticity thrown in, Chindidi is difficult to beat.
Edged by smooth volcanic rocks which are positioned as such that they won’t get in your way, Chindidi is a relatively broad sweep of sand sloping gently into the ocean. A handful of palms provide a little natural shade, with native flora developing at the tide line.
The waters are calm enough for everyone to enjoy a swim, while small boats can be arranged to head out in search of dolphin and whale encounters. But the true magic of a stay at Chindidi Beach is the feeling of allowing time to slip and adopting a life closer to that of Robinson Crusoe than the 9 to 5 you’ve left behind.
Searching out the best beaches in Africa
Know where to go and the beaches of California or New South Wales aren’t a patch on those in Africa. Pristine ribbons of warm sand may be the main attraction, but the best beaches in Africa have plenty of other reasons to enjoy them as part of any time on the continent.
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