Africa has some of the most extraordinary coastlines in the world, but its beaches don’t always get the recognition they deserve.
And perhaps that is part of their appeal.
From the turquoise waters of Zanzibar and Seychelles to the wild Atlantic coastline of Namibia and Senegal, the beaches in Africa are incredibly diverse. Some are surrounded by tropical forests and coral reefs. Others sit beneath enormous sand dunes. Some are lively and easy to reach, while others require a boat, a 4×4 or simply a willingness to go a little further.
There are beaches for swimming, surfing, diving, kitesurfing and wildlife watching. And then there are the beaches where you really don’t need to do anything at all.
Just sit down and enjoy the view.
I’ve picked 25 of the best beach cities and coastal destinations across Africa, from West and North Africa to the Indian Ocean and Southern Africa. Some are famous, some are surprisingly underrated, but every one offers something worth travelling for.
The Best Beach Cities in West Africa
West Africa has a coastline that is often overlooked by international beach travellers. That’s a shame because this part of the continent has some beautiful stretches of Atlantic sand, from the islands of Cape Verde to the palm-fringed beaches of Ghana and Senegal.
1. Cap Skirring, Senegal
Cap Skirring is the kind of place that makes you want to cancel whatever plans you had for the afternoon.
Located in Senegal’s Casamance region, the beach is long, wide and beautifully fringed with palms and coastal vegetation. There is a relaxed atmosphere here that feels very different from the energy of Dakar.
You can spend your morning walking along the sand, stop for freshly grilled fish and spend the afternoon swimming or simply watching the fishing boats.
For travellers looking for beaches in Africa that feel relaxed rather than overdeveloped, Cap Skirring is a wonderful choice.
2. Chaves Beach, Boa Vista, Cape Verde
Chaves Beach on Boa Vista is where the Atlantic meets enormous golden dunes.
The landscape is dramatic: soft sand, open skies and wind-shaped dunes stretching towards the ocean.
It is particularly beautiful around sunset, when the light turns the dunes golden and the beach seems to go on forever.
Cape Verde is also much more than a beach destination. The islands have completely different landscapes and personalities, from the volcanic mountains of Santo Antão to the calmer bays of Sal and Santiago.
Our Cape Verde Islands Master Guide goes into much more detail on the best beaches, hiking trails and where to stay across the archipelago.
3. River No. 2 Beach, Sierra Leone
Just outside Freetown, River No. 2 Beach is one of those places that makes you wonder why Sierra Leone isn’t mentioned more often when people talk about beaches in Africa.
The beach is backed by lush green hills and has beautiful pale sand where the river meets the Atlantic.
You can swim, paddle, hire a canoe or simply find somewhere to sit and watch the waves.
There is a wonderfully natural quality to the place that makes it feel more like an escape than a conventional beach resort.
4. Beyin Beach, Ghana
Beyin is a quiet coastal destination in Ghana’s Western Region, with tall palms, soft sand and a much slower pace.
One of the reasons to visit is that you can combine the beach with a trip to Nzulezo, the remarkable stilt village built over Lake Tadane.
That combination of beach, culture and history is exactly what makes travelling through Africa so rewarding.
You don’t have to choose between exploring and relaxing.
5. Banana Beach, São Tomé and Príncipe
Banana Beach on Príncipe is for travellers who want to get away from everything.
The beach is tucked beneath lush tropical vegetation and dramatic cliffs, with clear shallow water and a feeling of isolation that is becoming increasingly difficult to find.
There are no huge crowds or rows of high-rise hotels here.
Just tropical forest, sand and the ocean.
Banana Beach also appears in our guide to 10 Hidden Beaches in Africa, alongside some of the continent’s other quieter coastal escapes.
The Best Beach Cities in North Africa
North Africa may be better known for its ancient cities, deserts and historic sites, but the Mediterranean and Red Sea coastlines offer some spectacular beaches in Africa too.
6. Essaouira, Morocco
Essaouira has never felt like a conventional beach resort to me.
And that is precisely why I like it.
The Atlantic winds sweep across the coastline, making the city particularly popular with surfers, windsurfers and kitesurfers. Behind the beach is a beautiful old medina filled with narrow streets, cafés, markets and whitewashed buildings.
You can spend the morning on the water and the afternoon wandering through the medina.
It is a beach city with personality.
7. Dakhla, Morocco
Dakhla is another destination where the wind is part of the attraction.
Located on a narrow peninsula in Western Sahara, Dakhla sits between the Atlantic Ocean and a sheltered lagoon. The area has become internationally known for kitesurfing, with the constant trade winds creating excellent conditions.
But even if you don’t kiteboard, there is something fascinating about the landscape.
Desert on one side. Ocean on the other. And almost nothing in between.
8. Sidi Bou Saïd, Tunisia
Sidi Bou Saïd is one of those places where the setting is almost too beautiful.
Whitewashed buildings, blue doors, bougainvillaea and views across the Mediterranean give this hilltop town its unmistakable character.
It isn’t a traditional beach resort, and that is part of its appeal.
You can explore the old streets, stop for Tunisian food and then head towards the coast for beautiful Mediterranean views.
9. Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt
If underwater adventures are important to you, Sharm El-Sheikh belongs on your list.
The Red Sea is famous for its clear water, coral reefs and extraordinary marine life, making this one of the best destinations in Africa for diving and snorkelling.
You can spend the morning exploring the reef and the afternoon relaxing beside the water.
For travellers who want beaches in Africa combined with world-class diving, it is difficult to overlook Sharm El-Sheikh.
10. Swakopmund, Namibia
Swakopmund is one of Africa’s most unusual beach destinations.
It is a coastal town surrounded by desert, where the cold Atlantic Ocean meets the enormous Namib Desert.
You don’t necessarily come here for swimming.
You come for the adventure.
Sandboarding, quad biking, kayaking, fishing and desert excursions are all part of the experience.
Swakopmund is proof that a great beach destination doesn’t have to be tropical.
The Best Beach Cities in Southern Africa
Southern Africa has some of the most dramatic beaches in Africa, from Cape Town’s mountain-backed coastline to Namibia’s foggy Skeleton Coast and the wild beaches of Mozambique.
11. Camps Bay, South Africa
Camps Bay is probably one of the most recognisable beaches in Africa.
The Twelve Apostles form a spectacular backdrop, while the beach itself sits directly beside one of Cape Town’s liveliest strips of restaurants and cafés.
This is the kind of beach where you can spend the morning hiking, have lunch overlooking the ocean and then watch the sunset from the sand.
If you’re planning a longer Cape Town trip, our Cape Town guide is a useful companion.
12. Skeleton Coast, Namibia
The Skeleton Coast is nothing like the tropical beaches you usually see in travel brochures.
It is wild, remote and often wrapped in coastal fog.
The Atlantic crashes against a landscape of desert, dunes and rugged coastline, while seals and seabirds make the area their home.
This is not really a beach for swimming.
It is a beach for experiencing something completely different.
Standing where the Namib Desert meets the Atlantic can feel almost surreal.
13. Coffee Bay, South Africa
Coffee Bay sits along South Africa’s Wild Coast and has exactly the sort of scenery that makes you stop walking and reach for your camera.
Green hills roll towards the ocean, dramatic cliffs rise along the coastline and the landscape feels wonderfully untamed.
This is a good destination for travellers who want hiking, coastal scenery and a quieter beach experience rather than a traditional resort holiday.
14. Uvongo, South Africa
Uvongo is another beautiful coastal destination in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province.
Its sheltered lagoon and waterfall create a landscape that feels different from many of the country’s open Atlantic beaches.
There are also quieter spots to explore along the coast, making it a good choice if you want a beach holiday with a little room to wander.
15. Tofo Beach, Mozambique
Tofo is one of Mozambique’s best-known beach destinations and a favourite among travellers who love the ocean.
The beach itself is beautiful, but the real attraction is what lies offshore.
The surrounding waters are known for marine life, including manta rays, whale sharks and humpback whales at certain times of year.
This makes Tofo particularly appealing if you want your time at the beach to involve more than swimming.
16. Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique
Bazaruto is what many people imagine when they picture the perfect African island.
White sand dunes meet turquoise water, coral reefs sit offshore and the islands feel wonderfully removed from everyday life.
The Bazaruto Archipelago is particularly famous for diving, snorkelling and marine wildlife.
It is also one of the destinations featured in our article on hidden beaches in Africa, because it manages to feel far more remote than many better-known island destinations.
17. Ifaty, Madagascar
Ifaty sits along Madagascar’s southwestern coast and offers a completely different type of beach escape.
Palm trees line the shore, the water is warm and the nearby coral reefs make it a good destination for snorkelling and diving.
Depending on the season, you may also have the chance to see whales offshore.
And, of course, being in Madagascar means you have an entire country of extraordinary landscapes and wildlife to explore beyond the beach.
The Best Beach Cities in East Africa
East Africa is home to some of the most famous beaches in Africa, particularly along the Indian Ocean.
The combination of warm water, white sand, coral reefs and Swahili culture makes this one of the continent’s most rewarding coastal regions.
18. Diani Beach, Kenya
Diani is one of Kenya’s great beach destinations.
The long stretch of white sand is lined with palms and backed by hotels, restaurants and activities, but it is still possible to find quieter corners.
You can snorkel, dive, kiteboard, take a dhow trip or simply spend the day doing nothing.
And after a safari, there may be no better place to finish a trip through Kenya.
19. Watamu, Kenya
Watamu is a little quieter and more nature-focused.
The shallow turquoise waters are part of the Watamu Marine National Park and Reserve, making the area particularly interesting for snorkelling and marine wildlife.
The coastline is also important for sea turtles, while the wider area offers a mixture of beaches, mangroves and local communities.
20. Nungwi, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Nungwi is one of those beaches where it is very easy to lose track of time.
The water is turquoise, the sand is soft and the sunsets can be spectacular.
You can watch traditional dhows being built, visit the fishing village, go snorkelling or simply sit on the beach as the sky changes colour.
And if you want to explore beyond the beach, Zanzibar’s Stone Town and spice farms make it easy to turn a beach holiday into a much richer cultural trip.
21. Chitimba, Malawi
Not every great African beach is beside the ocean.
Chitimba sits on the northern shore of Lake Malawi, surrounded by green hills and mountains.
The freshwater lake is enormous, and from the shore it can look remarkably like an inland sea.
This is a beautiful reminder that beaches in Africa are not limited to the continent’s coastline.
The Best Beaches in the Indian Ocean
Some of Africa’s most spectacular beaches are scattered across the Indian Ocean islands.
If white sand, clear water and tropical scenery are what you’re looking for, these destinations are difficult to beat.
22. Anse Soleil, Seychelles
Anse Soleil is a small, beautiful beach on Mahé surrounded by lush vegetation and granite boulders.
It has the secluded feeling that people often travel to the Seychelles looking for.
The water is clear, the scenery is spectacular and there is enough shade to make spending several hours here very easy.
23. Anse Source d’Argent, Seychelles
If you’ve ever searched for photographs of the world’s most beautiful beaches, chances are you’ve seen Anse Source d’Argent.
Located on La Digue, the beach is famous for enormous granite boulders, pale sand and clear shallow water.
It is one of the most photographed beaches in Africa, and once you see it in person, it is easy to understand why.
The real pleasure is walking around La Digue itself, where bicycles and a slower pace make the island feel completely different from the outside world.
24. Belle Mare, Mauritius
Belle Mare is a long stretch of white sand on Mauritius’ eastern coast.
The lagoon is calm and beautifully coloured, while the beach itself has plenty of space to find a quieter spot.
It is particularly lovely in the morning, when the sunrise appears over the Indian Ocean.
Mauritius also makes it easy to combine beach time with hiking, food, markets and the island’s diverse cultural heritage.
25. Chitimba, Malawi
The beach is backed by mountains and surrounded by a quieter, more laid-back atmosphere than some of Malawi’s better-known lakeside destinations. You can swim in the warm freshwater, kayak, take a boat trip or simply spend an afternoon watching the fishermen and enjoying the scenery.
What makes Chitimba particularly interesting is that it offers a completely different type of African beach experience. There is no ocean here, no saltwater and no tropical island, just an enormous freshwater lake, golden sand and mountains.
For travellers looking beyond the usual beaches in Africa, Chitimba is a beautiful reminder that some of the continent’s best beach experiences can be found far from the coast.
The Best Beaches in Africa Are About More Than Sand
What makes the beaches in Africa so interesting is that there isn’t one particular type of African beach.
You can go from the volcanic landscapes of Cape Verde to the tropical islands of Seychelles. From the desert meeting the Atlantic in Namibia to the warm Indian Ocean around Zanzibar. From the fishing communities of Senegal to the wildlife-rich waters of Mozambique.
And that is why I wouldn’t choose just one.
If you want a classic tropical beach, start with Zanzibar, Seychelles, Mozambique or Kenya.
If you want adventure, look at Namibia, Morocco or Cape Verde.
If you want wildlife, consider Watamu, Tofo or Bazaruto.
And if you want somewhere that feels a little less discovered, look beyond the obvious names. Our guide to 10 hidden beaches in Africa is a good place to start.
The best thing about travelling through Africa is that there is always another coastline to discover.
Sometimes it is a beach you’ve seen photographed a hundred times.
Sometimes it is a stretch of sand you stumble upon after a long drive.
And sometimes, those unexpected beaches are the ones you remember.
Did we miss your favourite African beach city? Share with us in the comment below.
