Africa has more coastline than many people realise, stretching from the Mediterranean in the north to the Atlantic in the west and south and all the way around to the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
Yet when people talk about the world’s best beaches, Africa is often left out of the conversation.
I think that is a mistake.
The beaches in Africa are incredibly varied. There are enormous stretches of white sand where you can walk for an hour without seeing another person, tropical islands surrounded by impossibly blue water, dramatic Atlantic beaches backed by mountains and deserts, and lively coastal cities where the beach is simply part of everyday life.
Some are perfect for swimming. Others are better for surfing, diving, kitesurfing or watching wildlife. And some are simply places where you can sit down, listen to the waves and realise you have nowhere else you need to be.
We’ve already explored some of the continent’s best coastal destinations in our guide to the 25 Best Beach Cities in Africa. But this time, I want to focus specifically on the best beaches in Africa, the stretches of coastline I think are worth travelling for.
The Best Beaches in East Africa
If you are looking for tropical beaches in Africa, East Africa is probably the first place that comes to mind.
The Indian Ocean coastline is home to warm turquoise water, white sand, coral reefs and centuries-old Swahili coastal culture.
1. Nungwi Beach, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Nungwi is one of those beaches that looks almost too perfect to be real.
Located on the northern tip of Zanzibar, it has soft white sand, turquoise water and spectacular sunsets. You can swim, snorkel, take a traditional dhow cruise or simply spend the afternoon watching fishermen and boatbuilders along the coast.
It is also one of the easiest places to combine a beach holiday with culture. Spend a few days exploring Stone Town, visit a spice farm and then head north to Nungwi.
Nungwi is also included in Travelanders’ 25 Best Beach Cities in Africa, and it remains one of the continent’s most accessible Indian Ocean beach escapes.
2. Diani Beach, Kenya
Diani is a long sweep of white sand south of Mombasa, lined with palm trees and backed by restaurants, hotels and small local businesses.
The beach is beautiful, but what I like about Diani is that there is more to do than simply lie on the sand.
You can snorkel, dive, kiteboard, take a dhow trip or explore the surrounding coastline.
3. Watamu, Kenya
Watamu is quieter and more nature-focused.
Its clear, shallow water forms part of the Malindi Marine Reserve, and the coastline is an important habitat for marine life, including green and hawksbill turtles.
If you want beaches in Africa where you can combine a traditional beach holiday with marine wildlife, Watamu is a beautiful choice.
4. Shela Beach, Lamu, Kenya
Shela Beach is for the traveller who prefers things a little slower.
The long stretch of sand sits beside Lamu’s historic Swahili settlement, where donkeys still outnumber cars and traditional dhows move quietly across the Indian Ocean.
There is something wonderfully timeless about Shela.
In fact, Shela is one of the beaches featured in our guide to 10 Hidden Beaches in Africa, where we explore some of the quieter coastal escapes most visitors overlook.
5. Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique
If your idea of the perfect beach involves white sand, turquoise water and very few people, Bazaruto should be high on your list.
The archipelago is made up of islands surrounded by coral reefs, sand dunes and rich marine life.
This is also a fantastic destination for snorkelling, diving and sailing. TravelAnders has featured Bazaruto among the best African coastal and marine safari experiences because there is so much happening beneath the surface as well as above it.
For me, this is one of the best beaches in Africa for escaping into nature.
The Best Beaches in West Africa
West Africa’s coastline has a completely different character.
The Atlantic is powerful here, and beaches are often closely connected to fishing communities, surfing, local markets and everyday life.
6. Chaves Beach, Boa Vista, Cape Verde
Chaves Beach is one of those places where the landscape feels enormous.
Golden sand stretches beneath huge open skies, while wind-shaped dunes roll towards the Atlantic.
It is particularly beautiful around sunset, when the dunes and ocean seem to merge into one enormous landscape.
Cape Verde is also one of the best choices if you want a beach trip that includes adventure. Our Cape Verde Islands Master Guide covers the country’s best beaches, hiking trails and places to stay.
And don’t limit yourself to Boa Vista. Sal, Maio, Santiago and São Vicente all offer very different coastal experiences.
7. Cap Skirring, Senegal
Cap Skirring sits in Senegal’s Casamance region and is the kind of beach destination that encourages you to slow down.
The beach is wide, sandy and surrounded by greenery, with a much more relaxed atmosphere than some of the country’s larger coastal resorts.
8. N’Gor Beach, Senegal
Just outside Dakar, N’Gor Island offers something very different from the city’s busy streets.
A short boat ride takes you to a small beach surrounded by clear water and a laid-back atmosphere. It is also known for surfing, with waves that attract surfers while the beach itself remains relatively intimate.
N’Gor is another destination featured in our Hidden Beaches in Africa guide.
9. River No. 2 Beach, Sierra Leone
River No. 2 is one of those beaches that makes you wonder why more people aren’t talking about Sierra Leone.
Just outside Freetown, the beach has brilliant white sand, lush green hills and a river meeting the ocean.
You can swim, paddle or hire a canoe, but honestly, doing very little is also a perfectly good plan.
10. Beyin Beach, Ghana
Ghana has plenty of coastline, but Beyin offers something particularly peaceful.
Tall palms line the beach, and nearby attractions such as the stilt village of Nzulezo make it possible to combine a beach escape with cultural exploration.
It is a good reminder that some of the most interesting beaches in Africa are not necessarily the ones you see on every international travel list.
The Best Beaches in Southern Africa
Southern Africa gives you a completely different beach experience.
You can have tropical Indian Ocean beaches in Mozambique and South Africa, dramatic Atlantic coastline in Namibia and wild beaches where the landscape feels almost untouched.
11. Camps Bay, South Africa
Camps Bay is one of the most recognisable beaches in Africa, and for good reason.
The beach sits beneath the Twelve Apostles with Table Mountain rising nearby. There are restaurants and cafés along the road, so it is easy to spend an entire afternoon here.
What makes Cape Town particularly special is that you can combine a city break with some of the best beaches in Africa.
Hike in the morning. Have lunch in the city. Watch the sunset over the Atlantic in the evening.
TravelAnders has also written a Cape Town guide to eating, drinking and exploring the city, which is useful if you are planning to combine your beach time with a city stay.
12. Coffee Bay, South Africa
Coffee Bay is part of South Africa’s spectacular Wild Coast, and it feels worlds away from the polished beaches of Cape Town.
Here, green hills roll towards dramatic cliffs and the Indian Ocean.
This is a beach for people who like a little adventure with their scenery.
13. Skeleton Coast, Namibia
The Skeleton Coast is not your typical beach holiday.
The Atlantic crashes against a vast, rugged coastline where desert meets ocean. Fog often rolls in from the sea, creating an almost otherworldly landscape.
You don’t come here for beach clubs or swimming.
You come for the feeling of standing at the edge of the world.
14. Bazaruto, Mozambique
Yes, Bazaruto deserves another mention.
There are some beaches you visit once and immediately understand why people return year after year.
Bazaruto is one of them.
The white sand dunes, clear water and marine life make it one of the most spectacular beaches in Africa, particularly if you want your beach holiday to include diving, snorkelling and sailing.
15. Kosi Bay, South Africa
Kosi Bay is for travellers who prefer their beaches a little wild.
Located near the Mozambique border, it is a remarkable landscape of lakes, wetlands, dunes, forests and beaches.
There are no big-city crowds here. Instead, you get nature, traditional fishing practices and a coastline that feels wonderfully untouched.
The Best Beaches in North Africa
North Africa may be better known for its ancient cities, deserts and historic sites, but its coastline is just as impressive.
The Mediterranean and Red Sea offer some of the most beautiful beaches in Africa, particularly for travellers interested in swimming, diving and water sports.
16. Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt
Sharm El-Sheikh is one of Africa’s best-known diving destinations.
The Red Sea is famous for its clear water and coral reefs, making this a particularly good choice if you want to spend as much time underwater as you do on the beach.
17. Essaouira, Morocco
Essaouira is not your typical tropical beach destination.
The Atlantic winds can be strong, but that is exactly what makes it popular with surfers, windsurfers and kiteboarders.
Behind the beach is a beautiful historic medina, while the fishing port gives the city an atmosphere that is distinctly Moroccan.
18. Dakhla, Morocco
If you love watersports, put Dakhla on your list.
The wind is one of the main attractions, making it particularly popular with kiteboarders. The lagoon also creates calmer conditions for other water activities.
Dakhla is another reminder that the best beaches in Africa aren’t always about lying quietly under a palm tree.
Sometimes the fun is in the water.
19. Sidi Bou Saïd, Tunisia
Sidi Bou Saïd is one of those places where the setting is almost as important as the beach.
Whitewashed buildings, blue doors, bougainvillaea and views over the Mediterranean give the town a distinctly romantic atmosphere.
If you are already travelling through Tunis and Carthage, it makes a beautiful coastal addition to the trip.
20. Al Hoceima, Morocco
For something quieter, head north.
Al Hoceima sits along Morocco’s Mediterranean coast, surrounded by rocky coves and clear blue water.
It is much less talked about internationally than Morocco’s famous Atlantic destinations, which is precisely why it is worth considering.
So, Where Are the Best Beaches in Africa?
The answer really depends on what you want from your trip.
If you want tropical beaches in Africa, look towards Zanzibar, Kenya, Seychelles and Mozambique.
If you want wild and remote beaches, Namibia, South Africa and Madagascar have some extraordinary options.
For surfing and watersports, Cape Verde, Morocco, Senegal and South Africa are excellent choices.
For diving and marine life, Mozambique, Egypt, Kenya and Seychelles should be on your radar.
And if you want beaches combined with culture, Lamu, Essaouira, Zanzibar, Senegal and Cape Verde give you plenty to explore away from the sand.
The beauty of travelling around Africa is that you don’t have to choose just one type of beach.
You can spend one trip swimming in turquoise Indian Ocean water, another watching the Atlantic crash against the Namib Desert, and another walking through a quiet fishing village in Senegal.
The best beaches in Africa aren’t all famous. Some are hidden behind dirt roads. Some require a boat ride. Some are part of busy cities, while others feel like you’ve reached the end of the world.
And perhaps that is what makes exploring them so rewarding.
You never quite know what you are going to find.
