12 Africa's Top Best Beaches To Visit In Your Next Vacation
The African continent is home to some of the world's best beaches, with 18,950 miles of coastline dispersed across 54 nations.
Madagascar's 3,000 miles of coastline, the longest on the continent, is home to hundreds of breathtaking beaches that are frequently extremely secluded as well as offshore islands like île Saint-Marie, where life goes slowly and the scenery is breathtaking.
You can't miss Cape Town's Camps Bay for its sheer wow factor. South Africa and Mozambique boast the third and fourth longest coasts on the African continent, respectively. They also feature a wealth of gorgeous beaches with amazing scenery.
Hundreds of offshore islands, such as the Bazaruto Archipelago, where you may enjoy warm, clear turquoise sea, powdered white beaches, and a relaxed atmosphere, are also found in Mozambique. Further north in Kenya and Tanzania, some of the nicest beaches are also found in island paradises like Zanzibar in Tanzania and Lamu Island in Kenya, which are further away from the mainland.
It's challenging to select the top beaches because there are so many gorgeous stretches of sand spanning across several nations. However, we believe that the ones we've mentioned here are the most captivating on the African continent.
Camps Bay Beach, Cape Town, South Africa
Camps Bay Beach, one of South Africa's most popular beaches, is roughly a 10-minute drive from downtown Cape Town and offers views of Lion's Head and the Twelve Apostle peaks. Sunbathing on the white sand beach is a popular local activity despite the fact that the water is too cold for the ordinary swimmer to handle.
This beach quickly fills up during the course of the summer weekends with families, tourists, lovers, and groups of friends who come to relax or play a game of beach volleyball. Take a brief swim in the turquoise and emerald-striped waters of the Atlantic Ocean to cool yourself when you start to feel too hot. Despite the tropical good appearances, you are not the only one who might be surprised by the chilliness. Here, the current is directly ascending from Antarctica.
Our preferred lodging option on this beach is the boutique hotel, which is decorated with original modern South African art and offers lodging in Miami-inspired studios with white-on-white decor, full kitchens, and private balconies from where you can observe the flaming nightly sunsets.
A 30-minute journey from Cape Town will take you to several outstanding beaches, Camps Bay being just one of them. Located at the bottom of a flight of steep stairs that descend from the main road, the neighboring Clifton Beaches are equally well-liked and are divided into four wind-sheltered coves.
Bazaruto Island, Mozambique
Bazaruto Island, located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Mozambique, is enclosed by the Bazaruto Archipelago Marine Park and is home to some of the most breathtaking beaches we've ever seen. A picture-perfect scene of paradise is created by the warm, turquoise-blue water, white sandy beaches, swaying palm trees, and towering sand dunes.
The coral reefs in Bazaruto are fantastic for snorkeling and are a part of a wider archipelago that is renowned for its incredible diving opportunities.
You may travel to the island by boat or small plane, and there are a variety of lodging options, from inexpensive guesthouses to the opulent &Beyond Benguerra on a neighboring island. The resort offers luxurious, thatched-roof huts of various sizes for guests to stay in, making it ideal for honeymooning couples and families traveling with young children.
Anse Source D'Argent, La Digue Island, Seychelles
The Seychelles Islands, which are situated in the midst of the Indian Ocean, off the east coast of Madagascar, have long been a favorite getaway for the affluent and famous. This archipelago is home to hundreds of exquisite beaches, but Anse Source d'Argent on the island of La Digue is by far the most stunning.
Beyond a snow-white beach and a sea that is so vividly turquoise that it seems unbelievable, the rainforest here erupts into enormous granite boulders. Offshore snorkeling is excellent at the beach as well. On the islands of Desroches, Denis, and Fregate, there are more magnificent beaches that feel more secluded and exclusive. The best months to travel to the Seychelles are April and May or October and November, when the sky is typically clear and sunny.
Nungwi Beach, Zanzibar Island, Tanzania
It is a beautiful experience to travel to Zanzibar Island, which is off the coast of Tanzania. Zanzibar has some extraordinary beaches, like Nungwi, and it has a vibrant culture. Zanzibar is one of the most picturesque destinations in Africa, from the wooden dhows that ply the crystal-clear turquoise ocean to the bustling bazaars of the Swahili coastal trading capital, Stone Town.
A stunning white sand beach with palm trees and an emerald ocean may be found at the northernmost point of the island. It started out as a little fishing community but is now a well-liked vacation spot. Offshore diving and snorkeling are both fantastic.
Naama Bay, Egypt
Naama Bay serves as the central location for Sharm el-Sheikh, the top beach destination in Egypt. The Gulf of Aqaba's crystal-clear, tranquil, blue seas meet the white-sand beach here, and in the distance you can make out Saudi Arabia's rugged shoreline.
As Europeans travel to Naama Bay in the winter to escape the chilly weather back home, the area becomes congested. Divers of all skill levels, including beginners, can enjoy diving on the coral reefs surrounding Ras Mohammed National Park in the vicinity of Sharm el-Sheikh. In the region, snorkeling is also very good.
The Movenpick Sharm El Sheikh is a sizable, contemporary resort that overlooks the bay from its elevation atop a cliff, and it is one of many lodging alternatives near this beach. Oonas Dive Club, where you may also learn to scuba dive, is an excellent middle-of-the-road choice.
Île Sainte-Marie, Madagascar
One of the most unusual nations in Africa is Madagascar, which is yet unexplored. The beauty here is extremely amazing, and it is home to creatures and vegetation that are unique to our planet. One of Madagascar's greatest beaches, Île Sainte-Marie, is located just off the country's eastern coast.
The island is a tropical dream with year-round sunshine and beautiful, porcelain-white sand beaches bordered by swaying palm trees and backed by crystal-clear blue water. All year long, there is beautiful weather with clear, sunny skies. Humpback whales can be seen off the shore between July and September, and there is good diving in pristine coral gardens.
Shela Beach, Lamu Island, Kenya
Visit Lamu Island, which is located off the coast of Kenya's port city of Mombasa, for stunning turquoise and aquamarine waters, white-sand beaches, palm palms, and fantastic snorkeling and diving. Beautiful Shela Beach is located in the laid-back community of Shela Village. Here, time moves slowly, and you can while away hours just gazing out at the white-sailed dhows sailing by on the Indian Ocean.
Visit Lamu Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Kenya's oldest communities with a 700-year history, for a taste of the local culture. Spend some time exploring the confined spaces.
A traditional dhow tour that will transport you around the archipelago and show you undiscovered beaches is another option.
Agadir, Morocco
The most well-known beach in the world is that of Agadir, which is located on Morocco's southern Atlantic coast. European visitors who come here in the winter to escape the cold in their homelands are particularly fond of the family-friendly beach and the resort town that lies beyond it.
There are several distinct portions of the beach, including two exclusive ones called Palm Beach and Sunset Beach that are only accessible to visitors of the resorts situated there.
If you're taking a family vacation, consider staying at the Iberostar Founty Beach, which has a ton of family-friendly activities and is situated on a lovely stretch of sand.
Coffee Bay, South Africa
Another stunning beach in South Africa is Coffee Bay, which is situated in the Eastern Cape province along the wild Wild Coast, which stretches along the nation's Indian Ocean coastline. Here, the Indian Ocean's deep blue seas and huge expanse of gold sand meet the area's lush hills and cliffs.
Although there are some good surf breaks nearby and the sea can be turbulent and wild at times, it is not recommended for swimming. Coffee Bay is still the best beach for taking long walks around since it has the most melancholy raw beauty. Few backpackers and guesthouses are available in the town, yet it nevertheless exudes a distant atmosphere that many tourists will find alluring.
A boulder in the seat at the mouth of the Mpako River that produces an impressive display of force as the water crashes through it is called Hole In The Wall, and it is only eight kilometers from Coffee Bay.
Bom Bom Beach, Principe
Bom Bom beach is located on Prncipe, the smaller of the two islands, which are part of the island republic of So Tomé and Prncipe, off the coast of West Africa. The beach here is a part of Bom Bom Island Resort, an eco-friendly hotel option on a small islet connected to the mainland by a lengthy walkway, and is situated on its northern shore. There is a restaurant there as well as cabins for lodging right on the beach.
For those who enjoy the outdoors, especially birdwatchers, this lovely beach is a great option. Sea turtles that are nesting nearby can also be viewed. Deep sea fishing, whale viewing, and snorkeling are other popular tourist activities. The greatest time to travel to this far-off location is between June and October, when it's dry.
Trou-aux-Biches, Mauritius
Along with the Seychelles, Mauritius is another collection of islands in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Madagascar. Mauritius, which is slightly more accessible financially than the Seychelles, is also home to many white-sand beaches set against a stunning blue sea.
On the main island, next to the small town of the same name, sits Trou-aux-Biches, one of the best beaches in the nation. The beach here is a mile-long stretch of beautiful white sand. Here, the ocean is tranquil and ideal for swimming. There are chances for everything from jet skiing to kayaking if you want to get out on the water in a watercraft.
Near this beach, there are also a number of hotels in various price ranges, including options for families, as well as eateries serving local and international cuisine. The dry season, which runs between September and December and between April and May, is the ideal time to visit Mauritius.
Skeleton Coast, Namibia
The water is icy and the skies are frequently enveloped in mist, so you won't want to swim or even sunbathe here. The beaches of Namibia's Skeleton Coast, however, are among the most mesmerizingly beautiful places on earth.
A ruggedly wild area where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Namib Desert's dunes may be found between the Swakop and Kunene Rivers, north of the town of Swakopmund.
The name refers to all the ships that have sunk along this shore over the years after running aground in the stormy, shallow waters. There are plenty of seabirds close to the wrecks if you enjoy bird watching. A sizable colony of seals calls the area home as well.