Resort beach in Africa. Women of Africa: inexpressibly beautiful, dangerous and happy. For adventurers and lovers of solitude
West Africa extends south of the Sahara, from Mauritania onwards, along the Atlantic and Gulf of Guinea to the Nigerian border with Cameroon, where coastline The African continent makes a sharp bend, thanks to which Cameroon received the nickname “Armpit of Africa”. Today the Travel+Adventure TV channel tells you about the beaches of West Africa, that part of the continent that is located between the Maghreb countries and the “African Armpit”.
There are a dozen countries along the coast of West Africa, which stretches for four and a half thousand kilometers. And almost throughout their entire length there is one long sand beach. It is interrupted only occasionally by river mouths and ports, and even in the territory major cities remains virtually unchanged.
The coast of West Africa, like Africa in general, is poorly indented. The coastal area is almost everywhere flat, there are few bays and islands, unlike the European Mediterranean or Indonesia and Thailand. Therefore, the beaches in West Africa are almost continuous and uniform and are composed of yellow sand. However, there are also beaches of black volcanic sand in Afika - in Cameroon and Cape Verde. But Cape Verde is an island located quite far from the mainland, and Cameroon is already Central Africa.
By the way, it is interesting to note that the name of the capital of Cape Verde, the city of Praia, is translated from Portuguese as “Beach”.
On the beaches of West Africa there is open ocean everywhere. Even in the Gulf of Guinea, which is a gulf only in name, but in fact there are thousands of kilometers of open ocean all the way to Antarctica with famous island St. Helena is somewhere in the middle. Therefore, on the coast there is always ocean freshness and the water in the ocean is clean. Even in the huge twenty million Lagos, which dumps tons of garbage into the water every day. Garbage can accumulate in lagoons and along inland straits and rivers, but it hardly lingers in the ocean off the coast - too large masses of water move here. Perhaps a certain amount of garbage may wash ashore. But ocean water, being salty, perfectly disinfects any waste.
Because of the open ocean, the beaches of West Africa are always big waves, which is inconvenient and sometimes downright dangerous for swimming. Some beaches have warning signs that swimming is at your own risk. And, for example, on the popular Labadi beach in Accra, swimming is only allowed in close proximity from the lifeguard tower.
However, in local culture, the beach primarily serves as a place where people come to relax after a hot and humid climate African metropolis, socialize and have fun. They swim little, except to splash around the shore, and do not sunbathe at all. Because they are not used to swimming, and Africans have no need to sunbathe. But our native Sochi residents don’t often go swimming in the sea. But on an African beach you can have a wonderful walk, sit in a bar, chat with friends, and kick a ball. Birthdays are often celebrated on the beaches, corporate events and parties are held, as well as discos and concerts of local musicians.
By the way, the Travel+Adventure TV channel, based on its experience, does not advise you to deliberately sunbathe in Africa. The sun here is high and hot, and you can get sunburned quickly. It's better to just sit under an umbrella and tan yourself while you walk along the beach. It is in the north that people catch the sun at the first opportunity, but on the equator, on the contrary, they hide from it.
There are beaches in West Africa that are quite convenient for swimming, for example, such as Tarkwa Bay Beach in Lagos. Such places are located in natural bays and bays, as a result of which there are almost no waves in them. On such beaches, however, the water is usually somewhat dirtier than in the open ocean. And visitors are often predominantly foreigners: Europeans, Chinese, Indians, Lebanese. That is, those who are accustomed to swimming in the sea.
Since there are many beaches in Africa, and for local residents they are a completely ordinary thing, there are never crowds on them. Well, unless suddenly today there is a concert of some Takun Ji.
Well, if you are a surfer, kite surfer, diver or a fan of any other extreme water sport, then you can easily find yourself having fun on the beaches of West Africa. All this is here, but you should keep in mind that the prices for such services and good hotels quite comparable with European ones.
It is generally accepted that in Africa many girls and women go topless, and men are also not very burdened with clothes. And, probably, such people are expected to be met just on the beach. But in fact, it's just the opposite. The number of nationalities and tribes in Africa that allow themselves such liberties in clothing is vanishingly small. And they usually live in the interior of the mainland. And on many beaches in West Africa, even in non-Muslim countries, women's swimsuits that are too revealing are considered indecent. And men, in general, are supposed to wear shorts, not short swimming trunks. However, the more Europeans there are on the beach, the more democratic the dress code is, as a rule.
In general, beaches in West Africa are for every taste and budget. There are also beaches at expensive hotels or private villas with freshwater swimming pools, bungalows, inexpensive public or private beaches and “wild” beaches, and the latter can be located almost in the city center. In Accra, as soon as you step out into the backyard of Independence Square, you immediately find yourself on a semi-deserted beach, where usually only a few people kick a ball around. On “wild” or cheap public beaches, however, you should not forget about the usual vigilance; you should not just throw things away - theft in Africa has not yet been abolished.
The best beaches in terms of price/quality ratio are usually located in the suburbs: away from the bustle of the city, but not too far to get to. Like, for example, Lekki Beach in Lagos.
Previously, on some “wild” beaches in West Africa, it was not uncommon to see heaps of garbage and sewage. Usually near slum areas. But in last years the situation has improved significantly. The authorities are taking measures to maintain cleanliness: installing garbage containers and building free public toilets for slum residents. And in Monrovia, for example, special beach guards have appeared to monitor order and cleanliness.
On African beaches you can often see vendors selling various goods and musicians. Therefore, here you can very well get acquainted with the local culture without leaving your sun lounger by the ocean. Almost all local handicrafts will be brought to you and offered to buy. Wooden crafts, various decorations, paintings and drawings, even drums. On the beaches of Lagos, for example, you can buy interesting wooden figurines representing scenes local life. And on the beaches of Accra there are crafts with traditional graphic symbols of the Ashanti culture, called “adinkra”. Or a set (board and pebbles) for a traditional board game, called here “ovare”, also known as “mancala”. It looks like backgammon, but the rules have nothing in common with backgammon.
Here you can also taste the famous African palm wine. It is usually not very strong and quenches thirst in the heat much better than beer and soda. And it tastes like our well-known drinking mushroom.
And when you leave the official beach for the “wild” one, you may well meet local fishermen who go to sea on beautifully painted boats, and usually don’t mind talking to a white stranger. And, most likely, you will be able to take the same beautiful photographs of their boats as in the program “Travel with a Photographer to the Edge of Geography” on the Travel+Adventures channel.
Some African beaches are being transformed and given new life. For example, ex public beach Beach Bar, located in the heart of Lagos. It was closed a couple of years ago and expanded, creating a large artificial peninsula in the ocean. Now a new elite business district called “Eco Atlantic City” is being built on it, almost like the Nigerian Dubai. They say, however, that this changed the local coastal currents, and Lekki Beach began to erode. But there is hope that this process will not go far.
The best time on the coast of West Africa is our winter. Because the temperature here is stable, around +30°C all year round, but in summer there is a rainy season, and in winter there is a dry season.
Every year more and more Europeans go on holiday to resorts in West Africa, some have even moved permanently. Countries that are more stable and closer to Europe, such as Senegal and Sierra Leone, are especially popular.
I would like to express the hope that Russian tourists will become frequent guests on the beaches of West Africa. Especially considering that best season here it falls during our harsh Russian winter, and flying here is no further than Thailand and Bali.
1. Local jewelry seller on the beach. Lagos, Nigeria.
2. Labadi Beach. Accra. Ghana.
3. Musician on Labadi Beach. Accra.
4. Boy by the boat. Monrovia. Liberia.
5. Boat. Monrovia. Liberia.
6. Girl with fish. Monrovia. Liberia.
7. Beach. Monrovia. Liberia.
8. Beach. Monrovia. Liberia.
9. Beach. Monrovia. Liberia.
10. Beach. Monrovia. Liberia.
11. Crowd at a concert on the beach “At Bernard's”. Monrovia. Liberia.
There are some truly beautiful places on the vast continent of Africa that are definitely worth exploring
Active tourists always on the lookout for new places to enjoy adventure and explore new cultures and places. Europe, Caribbean and Latin America - popular destinations due to their proximity and relative accessibility. However, there are some truly beautiful places on the vast continent of Africa that are also worth exploring. This film contains some of the most scenic and picturesque beaches in Africa, even the simple contemplation of which will give you a real summer mood.
Belle Mare – Mauritius
Mauritius is a magnificent island country located in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Africa. This country has passed through a succession of colonial masters, dominated by Portugal, France and England, and the influences of all these empires are visible throughout the island. If you are looking for a quiet and serene beach to enjoy some peace and quiet, then Belle Mare Beach is on east coast Mauritius - perfect place. The beaches are covered with beautiful white sand, and the sunrises in these parts will make you look at life in a new way.
Cocrobite Beach, Ghana
Among the advantages of visiting Ghana is the fact that you are guaranteed not to encounter any social unrest or social upheaval. The country is peaceful, warm and very attractive to tourists, with some of the best beaches in the world. One of the most beautiful beaches in Ghana is Cocrobite, which is located 19 miles from the capital. The water here is very clear, the sand is soft, and everything is located in close proximity to friendly locals and fishermen. This is a great travel destination where you can blend in with the locals and have a wonderful holiday.
Kitimba Beach, Malawi
Malawi is a landlocked country in Africa, bordered by Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique. But even though it doesn't share a border with the ocean, Malawi has a beautiful beach along the breathtaking Lake Malawi. One of best places The place to visit this lake is the Kitimba campsite. It is located 143 km from largest city Mzuzu. The beach here is quite exotic: golden sand with abundant banana trees and papaya trees. In a short distance you can see the magnificent mountains Livingstonia and Nyika. If you want to relax on a unique beach, Kitimba is definitely it.
Anse Soleil, Seychelles
Seychelles has always been known among tourists as paradise on earth. This archipelago of islands in the Indian Ocean has the smallest population of any African country, with just 100,000 inhabitants. Anse Soleil beach is located on the island of Mahe and is unique for its isolated location. It can be called one of the most romantic beaches in the world. It's picturesque private beach, surrounded by cascading jungle and boulders, and one of the best places in the world to watch the sunrise and watch the sunset.
Uvongo Beach in South Africa
Many beaches around the world are occupied by couples and older tourists, but there are also some that are ideal for families with children. One of them is Uvongo Beach in South Africa. It is located at a lower level south coast South Africa, with a shallow, child-friendly lagoon. Here kids can have fun and play as much as they want. Here you can completely immerse yourself in the exotic and enjoy a unique beach holiday.
Elmina in Ghana
The town of Elmina in the coastal region of Ghana is one of the first European settlements in coastal Africa. The name El Mina literally translates to “Mine” in Portuguese. It was the Portuguese who built several castles here during the transatlantic slave trade. Even though human trafficking took place here, the beauty of this Atlantic coastline makes you forget everything. This city is located three hours from the capital Accra. Elmina's beaches are home to outstanding 15th-century architecture and charming resorts, the most popular of which is Coconut Grove Resort.
Nungwi Beach, Zanzibar
It is impossible to make a list of the most beautiful beaches in Africa, without mentioning the scenic archipelago of Zanzibar. This semi-autonomous Tanzanian territory has several breathtaking beaches, but one of the standouts is Nungwi Beach. This is traditionally a fishing village, and now a tourist center and one of the most beautiful places in Tanzania. Beaches with endless white sand and clear turquoise water stretch as far as the eye can see. If you are looking for heaven on earth, this is definitely it.
Skeleton Coast, Namibia
Don't let the name of this beach scare you, because here you can have one of the most intriguing vacation experiences. The Skeleton Coast in Namibia is located between the Namib Desert and the Atlantic Ocean. This is a unique point of contact between warm air from the desert and cold air from the ocean, which results in shrouds of thick fog. The Skeleton Coast is a very beautiful and popular place among travelers. Intrepid surfers also know that this is a great surf spot where you can catch best waves. Among the attractions of Namibia, this coast is especially popular. 
Cap Skirring in Senegal
For all lovers West Coast Africa, this beach on the Atlantic Coast of Senegal is a must-see. It is located in the beautiful Casamance region, isolated from all the hustle and bustle of urban areas. A striking feature of the beach is that it is very flat and huge, with white sands that stretch for many kilometers. This place deserves attention.
Beaches of Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia
True travel lovers already know that most coasts Mediterranean Sea have a temperate climate, pleasant and absolutely relaxing. The beach in the Tunisian coastal town of Sidi Bou Said has all these advantages. The city itself is called an “artist's paradise” because of its quaint whitewashed buildings with their beautiful arched blue doors that look like they came straight out of a postcard. The beaches here are clean and the water is completely clear. Around you can find a lot of eateries and restaurants, where you should definitely enjoy delicious North African cuisine.
How much do we know about Africa? What is this hot continent with unique nature and little-explored territory. Do you know about the beach resorts in Africa, of which there are a lot - Tunisia, Morocco and Seychelles are the most famous. Did you know that Africa's white sandy beaches are some of the best in the world? We invite you to a virtual tour of the best African beaches.
The beach with snow-white sand, which is absolutely white without any inclusions, makes a truly fantastic impression: greenery and flowers are fragrant all around, and the coastal strip seems to be covered with snow. Paje Beach has one nuance - however, traditional for the entire coast Indian Ocean, at low tides you will have to walk quite a long time to get to deep water. But there is an abundance of entertainment on the shore - cafes, discos and so on.
Wild beaches of Africa - Trou d'Argent - ideal in the classical sense. It is uncrowded, spacious, safe, clean, surrounded from prying eyes by rocks, the entrance to the ocean is gentle. There is nothing stopping you from enjoying a truly unique landscape. For example, palm trees of the subspecies Geophorbe Verschaffelta grow only here, on the Mascarene Islands of the Indian Ocean.
Source D'Argent Beach is among the top 5 best beaches not only in Africa, but in the whole world according to BBC Travel. You can hardly find sand of such a pale pinkish hue. And the turquoise color of the ocean and granite boulders surrounding the beach create a magnificent landscape. It can also be classified as wild beaches Africa, since civilization will definitely not distract you from your vacation.
Grand Anse Beach is a popular beach on La Digue, also included in the BBC Travel rating. In beauty it is in no way inferior to the nearby Source D'Argent. And in the nearby island park L’Union Estate, scenes from the French film “Emmanuelle” were filmed, because all the surrounding nature contributes to a romantic mood.
Another beach on the Indian Ocean with sand of a specific white-pink hue is Nakupenda Beach. In addition to a relaxing beach holiday, swimming and sunbathing, this beach is just a godsend for those who want to snorkel. At the same time, you can admire the underwater inhabitants quite safely - they are non-aggressive and non-poisonous.
The island of Nosy Be is located in the north of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. This is a great combination beautiful nature and civilization - the island’s beach is fully equipped for a civilized holiday. At the same time, here you can see real lemurs, chameleons and turtles, and also touch them - the animals do not expect anything bad from people and do not run away. On the Internet it is easy to find an amateur video from this particular island, where you can see how close tropical animals come to humans.
No less beautiful beaches in Africa are located on Atlantic coast. The Moroccan resort city of Agadir on the Atlantic coast boasts luxurious, spacious beaches with specific reddish sand. These are quite civilized, well-equipped beaches with sun loungers, umbrellas and a warning system for approaching dust storms, which happen regularly in the desert. Here you can also catch a wave, which surfers and other lovers enjoy with pleasure. marine species sports
The island of Sal is located in the south of Cape Verde on the coast Atlantic Ocean. This is one of the most popular islands in the country. And Santa Maria is the most famous city on the island among tourists. This is where the bulk of travelers stop when visiting neighboring islands with excursions. Santa Maria is a four-kilometer beach with clean, reddish sand depending on the light. All water activities are developed here: windsurfing, kitesurfing and diving.
Boulders Beach at Falls Bay is truly unique beach, where you can see real penguins. By nature's standards, the penguin colony was formed recently - in 1982. However, these animals liked it here so much that the colony grows every year. Boulders Beach is included in the boundaries National Park, including because of the habitat of penguins here. People will also like it here: many neat coves protected from high waves, centuries-old huge boulders around the beach area. To make it easier to observe animals and take photos and videos, wooden platforms have been built.
These are perhaps the most beautiful beaches in Africa that are worth visiting. You will get a lot of impressions, and Africa itself will be remembered by you with bright colors that are not found on the European continent.
10 most beautiful beaches in Africa: 1. Paje, Zanzibar, Tanzania Zanzibar is famous for its snow-white and cleanest beaches, which are among the best in the world. Well, Paje Beach definitely deserves the title of the most beautiful - an excellent place for those who are looking for privacy, but at the same time want to relax in comfort. One of the advantages of a holiday on Paje is the absence of sudden low tides, so you can always swim to your heart’s content and at the same time appreciate the purest snow-white sand, and various entertainment (kiting, bars, beach discos) will greatly diversify your vacation. One of the possible disadvantages is the rather low water level. 2. Paradise Beach, Jeffreys Bay, South Africa The Republic of South Africa is a real “beach pearl” of the Black Continent: it will appeal to both lovers of active recreation (for example, diving, surfing, kiting or snorkeling), and those who just want to relax against the backdrop beautiful landscape. For the latter, we recommend one of the most picturesque beaches in South Africa - Paradise Beach. Silence, tranquility and snow-white sand against the backdrop of the azure ocean... What else is needed to enjoy life to the fullest? 3. Trou d’Argent beach, Rodrigues Island, Mauritius Mauritius is your choice if you prefer uncrowded beaches, for example, Trou d’Argent beach on Rodrigues Island. A very beautiful and small beach in the lagoon, surrounded by rocks, with many rare birds that you will not see anywhere else. Only the turquoise ocean, silky sand and you - beauty! 4. Anse Soleil, Mahe, Seychelles This beach is a real treasure of the Seychelles archipelago and one of the most romantic beaches in the world, with amazing sunrises and sunsets and heavenly landscapes. Surrounded by wave-glossy boulders and emerald jungle, Anse Soleil is a must-see for everyone! 5. Grand Anse, La Digue, Seychelles One more thing most beautiful place in the Seychelles, worthy of the epithet “paradise”. Grand Anse beach is everything that we associate with exoticism and tropical bliss: slender palm trees, 500 meters of white coral sand and gentle waves of the azure ocean. Another undoubted plus is the minimum number of tourists, which is the best way to have a good rest. 6. Anse Lazio, Praslin Island, Seychelles This beach is an ideal incarnate: no annoying algae in which you tend to get entangled, no sharp corals. The waves are perfectly stunning, the depth is perfectly deep. And the beach is also free. What else is needed? Plus, you can find a secluded place among the boulders if the neighbors are really overwhelming. 7. Nosy Be, Madagascar This beach, located on the island of the same name, boasts a developed tourist infrastructure and excellent condition of the beach area, which, combined with stunning scenery, creates all the conditions for a comfortable holiday. 8. Santa Maria, Sal Island, Cape Verde Santa Maria is considered best beach Cape Verde, and this opinion is quite understandable: the crystal clear blue of the ocean and the amazing beach invite you to laze in the sun, and the expanses of water are ideal for surfing, windsurfing and diving (near the island there is a wreck of ancient ships). 9. Diani Beach, Ukunda, Kenya Here you will find everything for a good holiday: white sand, warm ocean waves and the opportunity to do aquatic species sports One thing: at low tide you should be careful not to accidentally step on a sea urchin. 10. Nakupenda Beach, Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania Nakupenda Beach is the epitome of paradise: azure ocean, gentle sand, sparsely populated areas and vibrant beauty underwater world will give you a lot of impressions and a desire to come back here again!
- this is a separate page in the list of pleasures the country provides to its tourist guests who are interested in relaxation and bliss in the sun, and not active recreation.
Most tourists flock to South Africa in search of wildlife, unexplored routes and exciting excursion programs. But South Africa is also a country of beach relaxation with clear ocean waves and soft golden sand. The entire coastline belongs to the state, which means that the country’s hotels will not be able to offer tourists a vacation on closed private beaches. This, of course, will surprise regulars of resorts in Turkey or Egypt. But the lack of sun loungers or umbrellas on the beaches of South Africa is fully compensated by excellent climatic conditions and picturesque coastal views.
The best beaches in South Africa
Leading position in the TOP beach resorts Cape Town occupies the country. The city is located at the junction of the cool Atlantic and warm Indian Ocean. Due to the cold Antarctic current, the water temperature on most Cape Town beaches is around 15-16C, sometimes warming up to 20C. The city's best urban beaches are Clifton Beach and Camps Bay. Llandudno Beach is ideal for surfing, with soft, clean yellow sand and great sunset views. But because of the strong ocean currents It is not recommended to swim far. And the local “nobility” and all the “rich and famous” residents of the city and tourists prefer the beaches under the general name “Cape Town Riviera” - this is the beach area from Victoria and Alfred Waterfront to Hout Bay.
There is also Boulder Beach, where you can sunbathe and swim with the penguins!
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In general, to be honest, I was simply shocked when I first found out that in South Africa there are such nice guys as penguins)))))))
The beaches on the Garden Route are located on the coast of the warm Indian Ocean. All of them are famous for their picturesque views, but a significant disadvantage will be the significant distance from coastal hotels.
Durban's beaches are located on the Golden Mile - the street of beaches. Mostly people relax here local residents, although Durban's beaches are in close proximity to the hotels. It is on Durban beaches that it is recommended to keep an eye on your belongings, since the city is very ambiguous in terms of crime. Many tourists recommend the beach at the Zimbali Lodge, which is located 40 km north of Durban. Many visiting Europeans relax on this beach.
Beach holidays in South Africa with children
The beaches on the Indian Ocean coast are recommended for families with children, because the ocean water here is several degrees warmer than in the Atlantic, and each beach is patrolled by lifeguards.
When going to the beaches in South Africa, be prepared for surprises such as the lack of umbrellas and sun loungers or uncomfortable changing rooms and showers. At the resorts of South Africa beach holiday involves not only lying in a hammock, but also diving, surfing and other extreme entertainment.
It is becoming increasingly popular around the world. With friends, with children or with family, you will always get the most out of such a vacation!
Have a nice holiday!
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