We clearly love beaches and it's one of our favorite sites to visit during your trips, Africa is clearly blessed with a lot of amazing beaches and in this article, we'll be sharing 10 of our favourite beaches across the continent and with 18,950 miles of coastline spread across 54 countries, the African continent is home to some of the world's best beaches.
Madagascar has the longest coastline on the continent at 3,000 miles and features hundreds of beautiful and often ultra remote beaches.
South Africa and Mozambique have the third and fourth longest coastlines on the African continent and also host a plethora of dreamy beaches with epic backdrops – you can't miss Cape Town's Camps Bay for its sheer wow factor.
Mozambique is also home to hundreds of offshore islands, including the Bazaruto Archipelago, where you'll find warm, clear turquoise water; powdery white beaches; and a laid-back vibe. More amazing stretches of coastline can be found farther north in Kenya and Tanzania, where some of the best beaches are also located off the mainland in island paradises like Zanzibar in Tanzania and Lamu Island in Kenya.
Here's a cool breakdown of these beaches and more!
1. Nungwi Beach, Zanzibar Island, Tanzania
A trip to Zanzibar Island off the Tanzanian Coast is a magical experience. The beaches, including Nungwi, are extraordinary, and Zanzibar is also rich in culture. From wooden dhows plying the clear turquoise water to the lively bazaars of the Swahili coastal trading center, Stone Town, Zanzibar is one of the most photogenic places to visit in Africa.
Nungwi Beach is a beautiful white-sand and palm-tree-meets-emerald-ocean spectacle at the northern tip of the island. It began as a simple fishing village but today is a popular vacation destination. There is excellent snorkeling and diving offshore as well.
Photo by World Map
2. Naama Bay, Egypt
On Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, Naama Bay is the epicenter of the country's top beach resort, Sharm el-Sheikh. The white-sand beach meets the clear, calm, blue waters of the Gulf of Aqaba here, and you can see Saudi Arabia's craggy coastline in the distance.
In winter, Naama Bay gets crowded, as Europeans head here to escape the cold in their countries. The area around Sharm el-Sheikh is also famous for its diving in the coral reefs around Ras Mohammed National Park, and there are dives for all levels, including first-timers. There is also excellent snorkeling in the area.
3. Shela Beach, Lamu Island, Kenya
For crystal-clear aquamarine and turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, palm trees, and excellent snorkeling and diving in Kenya, you'll want to head to Lamu Island off the coast north of the port town of Mombasa. Shela Beach is a gorgeous beach by the chill town of Shela Village. Time moves slowly here, and you can spend hours just watching the white-sailed dhows pass by on the Indian Ocean in front of you.
For a dose of culture, head to Lamu Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest settlements in Kenya, dating back 700 years. Spend some time wandering its narrow streets. You can also book an island-hopping adventure on a traditional dhow that will take you around the archipelago and introduce you to hidden beaches.
Photo by Shela Houses
4. Grand Popo, Republic of Benin
The expansive sandy beaches of Grand Popo are amazingly enticing, but sadly not suited for swimming, as the sea is typically rough with dangerous rip currents. Stick to the sand instead and discover a precious pocket of West African culture. Benin is the birthplace of the sacred religion of Vodun (better recognized as Voodoo in the West), and visitors flock to the festival, Fête du Vaudou, held on January 10 each year in nearby Ouidah. However, Grand Popo is also the site of many celebrations. Visit at any other time of year to simply unwind below one of the many straw huts with wooden loungers dotted along the sand.
Photo by Tripadvisor
5. Elmina, Ghana
While beach holidays are generally a trivial, leisurely pursuit, many of Africa's shores are profoundly historical sites. Honor the land — and those who left it — with a visit to Elmina beach. Elmina's own St. George's Castle was founded by the Portuguese in 1482, making it the oldest European building in sub-Saharan Africa. Nearby, the Cape Coast Castle Museum acknowledges the grim atrocities and consequences of slavery. In 2019, Ghana hosted a flux of tourists under the Year of Return initiative, and next year, a follow-up project called Beyond the Return is set to begin. After a firsthand confrontation with the castle's inhumane dungeons and a tour of the "Door of No Return," you'll never see the Atlantic Ocean in the same way again. We'll be visiting the Capecoast Castle at Resort Anywhere this December. Find out more HERE
6. Camps Bay Beach, Cape Town, South Africa
With views of Lion's Head and the Twelve Apostle peaks, Camps Bay Beach is about a 10-minute drive from downtown Cape Town and is one of South Africa's most beloved beaches. Although the water here is too cold for the average swimmer to handle, sunbathing on the white-sand beach is a favorite local pastime.
On summer weekends, this beach fills fast with families, tourists, couples, and groups of friends who come to play a game of beach volleyball or just hang out. When you get too hot, cool off with a quick dip in the turquoise- and emerald-striped Atlantic Ocean waters. If you're shocked at the chilliness despite the tropical good looks, you aren't alone. The current here comes straight up from Antarctica.
7. Cabo Ledo, Angola
Sealed off from international travel for decades following the brutal civil war, Angola is slowly becoming more accessible with peaceful politics and relaxed visa systems. Home to 1,025 miles of varying coastline habitats, it's a destination begging for rediscovery, and surfers emerged as the first intrepid guests. The easiest and prettiest beaches to hit are in Cabo Ledo. Located near a traditional fishing village in a broad bay two hours from the capital, Luanda, Cabo Ledo offers ample sandy shores, rolling rides optimized by easygoing beachfront resorts. Experts allege that the winter season between May and October provides the best consistency for great waves.
8. Bruce Beach, Bijagós Archipelago, Guinea-Bissau
The Bijagós archipelago, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve located off the coast of Guinea-Bissau, is composed of 88 islands, but permanent inhabitants reside on roughly only 20 of them. The most significant population calls Bubaque Island home. Visitors will land at the old port and cross the entire peninsula (although bumpy, it's just over 10 miles in total) to reach the crisp waters of Bruce beach. Expect rustic beach camps, fantastically fresh ocean-to-plate fish, and everything (including the ferry ride in) to take its sweet time.
9. Anse Soleil, Mahe, Seychelles
Jungle and boulders tumble down a hillside and into the small beach and bay of Anse Soleil in the southwest of Mahe. It's peaceful, private and a very romantic beach from which to watch the sun set.
10. Belle Mare, Mauritius
