Enthusiastic travelers are always on the lookout for new places to enjoy adventures and discover new cultures and scenes. Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America are popular destinations because of their proximity and ease of accessibility. However there are some really beautiful locations on the vast continent of Africa that are begging to be explored. Here, we enlighten you on ten of the most scenic and picturesque beaches in Africa.
Belle Mare – Mauritius
Mauritius is another gorgeous island country based in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Africa. This is a country that has gone through the trifecta of colonial masters, Portugal, French and England – and the influences of all these empires are visible all over the island. If you are looking for a quiet and serene beach that really allows you to take in your peaceful surroundings, then the Belle Mare beach on the east coast of Mauritius is the place to go. The beaches are glistening with stunning white sand and the sunrises here will give you a new outlook on life. Add this one to your bucket list – it’s a must-see.
Kokrobite Beach – Ghana
The great thing about visiting Ghana is that you’re guaranteed not to run into any civil unrest or other social upheavals. The country is known for being peaceful, warm and very inviting, and they also have some of the very best beaches in the world. One of the beautiful beaches in Ghana is Kokrobite Beach, which is only 19 miles from the capital. The water is beautiful, the sand draws you in, and everything is in close proximity to the friendly locals and fishermen. It’s a great place to be a tourist and also merge in with the locals at the same time. Sometimes, those are the best kind of vacations.
Chitimba Beach – Malawi
Malawi is a landlocked country in Africa that’s bordered by Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique. But even though, it doesn’t share a border with an ocean, it still has a beautiful beach that stretches along the breathtaking Lake Malawi. One of the best places to experience this lake is by visiting the Chitimba camp which is located 143km from the major town, Mzuzu. The beach here is quite absorbing; golden sand with copious banana and papaya trees. Also not too far in the distance, you can cast your gaze upon the gorgeous Livingstonia and Nyika mountains. If you’re looking for a new type of beach experience, this is definitely it.
Anse Soleil Beach – Seychelles
Seychelles has long been known amongst avid travelers as a paradise on earth. Seychelles itself is an archipelago of islands in the Indian Ocean. It also happens to have the smallest population of all the African countries – clocking in at just under 100,000 inhabitants. The Anse Soleil beach is located on the Mahé island and what makes it so unique is how secluded and romantic it is. It is a scenic, private beach bordered by cascading jungles and boulders, and it’s perhaps one of the best places in the world to take in a beautiful sunset
Uvongo Beach – South Africa
A lot of beaches around the world are designated for couples and older crowds, but there are a handful of beaches around the world that are very family-friendly and Uvongo beach in South Africa is certainly one of them. Uvongo is located on the lower south coast of South Africa, and the beach has a shallow lagoon that’s perfect for kids to rollick and play around in. For an exotic and enriching family experience, this is a place that beckons to be fully enjoyed.
Elmina Beach – Ghana
The town Elmina in the coastal region of Ghana is one of the first European vestiges in coastal Africa. The name El Mina literally means “A Mine” and the Portuguese settled here and built a handful of grand castles during the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. Even though several crimes of humanity happened here, the beauty of this Atlantic coast line still persists and prevails. This town is about a three hour drive from the capital city Accra, and the beaches are peppered with statuesque 15th century architecture and enchanting establishments like the ever popular Coconut Grove resort.
Nungwi, Zanzibar
You can’t have a story about the most beautiful beaches in Africa without mentioning the scenic archipelago of Zanzibar. There are several breathtaking beaches in this semi-autonomous Tanzanian territory but one of the standouts is certainly the Nungwi beach. It’s traditionally a fishing village and dhow-building center, and there is sparkling white sand and clear turquoise water as far as the eyes can see. If you’re looking for paradise on earth – this is certainly it.
Skeleton Coast, Namibia
Don’t let the name of this beach scare you, away, because it just might be one of the intriguing vacation experiences you will ever have. This stretch of beach in Namibia is the intersection point between the Namib Desert and the Atlantic ocean. This unique convergence of warm air from the desert and cold air from the ocean results in shrouds of dense fog. It’s haunting and very beautiful. Intrepid surfers also know that it’s a great place for catching some of the best waves around.
Cap Skirring, Senegal
For all those who are in love with visiting the West Coast of Africa, this beach on the Atlantic Coast of Senegal is one you definitely need to see. It is located in the beautiful Casamance region of the country and it’s largely isolated from all the hustle and noise of regular urban dwellings. The striking feature of the beach is how flat and expansive it is – with white sands that stretch for miles and miles. It’s certainly a sight to behold.
Sidi Bou Said – Tunisia
True travel enthusiasts are already aware that most coasts off the Mediterranean sea tend to be temperate, scenic and absolutely relaxing. The beach in the Tunisian coastal town of Sidi Bou Said is no different. The town itself has been called an “artist’s paradise” because of its quaint whitewashed houses with their postcard-perfect arched blue doors. The beaches are clean and the water is crystal clear, and of course, there are several local eateries around to enjoy the delicious North African cuisine.