Kenya

 

 

This tiny country on the East coast of Africa is packed with stunning beaches, some of which is pure white and some with dark with volcanic rock features.

 

Whichever one you decide to venture out to disappointment won’t be part of the equation. Where to stay in Djibouti. For inspiration on things to do in Djibouti, in addition to the best tours in Djibouti, check out this post by Wilbur.

 

 

Cape Vidal is one of the best beaches in South Africa. You will find this beauty on the Eastern shores of South Africa. The perfect spots for snorkeling at low tide with amazing wildlife and sea life.

 

You may be lucky enough to spot Humpback Whales that frequent the area and towards the end of the year, you will find rare loggerhead and leatherback turtles on the shores. Where to stay – Hotels in South Africa’s St Lucia.

 

 

Swakopmund is one of Namibia’s largest coastal towns which draws in travelers from all over the world. It also comes with a little backdrop of German-inspired architecture as Namibia was colonised by the Germans. You can see more of my pictures from my trip to Swakopmund here. Where to stay in Swakopmund.

 

 

Tanzania is not just a must-see the beaches but offers amazing the best way to see wildlife in Africa. Tanzania sits on the northern tip of the island this quiet beach offers great access to some of the best diving and snorkeling spots on Zanzibar Island.

 

Some of the catch of the day served up in the restaurants are caught locally enjoyed while watching the sunset on the beautiful horizons beyond. There are many more beaches on Zanzibar worth checking out when you are visiting the Tanzania island.  Where to stay in Zanzibar.

 

 

 

 

North African gem with golden sand beaches to match the golden sunsets in the evening as the Mediterranean sea glistens.

 

Hammamet is 40 miles from the capital with perfect beaches made for romantic evening walks or maybe riding a camel at the crack of dawn on the shorelines.

 

The choice is yours or you can sample of the bars that line the beaches offering respite from the heat before exploring Tunisia’s whitewashed buildings with their beautiful arched blue doors. Where to stay in Hammamet.

Ghana as a country is peaceful and its people warm and friendly, possibly to do with the fact that Ghana boasts one of the worlds best beaches. Beyin Beach is among the best beaches in West Africa.

 

Tall soaring palm trees line the beaches perfect for people watching or lounging. You can also mingle with the locals as this beach is frequented by local fishermen who pull in larger than life nets for the daily catch. Where to stay in Ghana.

One of the quietest spots among beaches in Africa. Banana Beach is on the tiny island of Principe, off the western coast of Africa.

 

It boasts clear, shallow waters with no tourists in sight you can have the clear waters to yourself. If the beautiful of the beach all becomes too much you can take refuge in the town as Sao Tome town which boasts beautiful architecture, museums and laid back culture and people. Where to stay in Sao Tome.

 

Dubbed a sunbather’s paradise. Isolated with striking dunes that run down into the Atlantic, Boa Vista offers perfect spots for the sun worshiping or dune bashing in jeeps.

 

As the evening draws in, shore-lined restaurants serve up freshly caught lobsters. What could be more perfect? Where to stay in Cape Verde. For tips on things to do in Cape Verde check out Zen Travellers.

Another West African country with stunning landscapes. Ivory Coast’s tropical climate and white sandy beaches make it a popular choice for many tourists that are in the know of this beauty. Where to stay in Abidjan.

A small country with a huge offering. On the topic of beaches, Sierra Leona’s beaches are lined with backdrops of lush vegetated mountains and pure white sand. If you can manage to tear yourself from the beach you can also check out the beautiful waterfalls lying at the foot of the rivers.

Diani Beach is made up of 25 Kilometers of an unadulterated beach. Soft white sand to match its cobalt blue waters of the India Ocean. Diani Beach is the quintessential tropical escape, palm-fringed beach with its blend of natural beauty and uptown chic. The beach is lined with little huts serving ice-cold beers to cool you down. Where to stay on Diani Beach.

 

The beaches here white, soft and if you take into account the lush tropical surroundings of Casamance you get the best spot for a relaxing vacation. Another attraction of Casamance is the unique culture of the Diola people, the major ethnic group of the region. Where to stay in Senegal.

 

Trou aux Biches in Mauritius offers the perfect sand for building sand castles as it has few pieces of coral which of course makes it perfect for those that want to bring the kids along to see what paradise looks like. If you want adult only beaches there is plenty on offer too. If you love adventures then also check out diving in Mauritius’ Trou Aux Biches.

 

 

Trou Aux Biches is also great for snorkeling in Mauritius as you can swim around only meters in shallow waters before catching sight of the stunning coral reefs. The difficult part about being in Mauritius is leaving, as you will not want to leave once you have experienced its charm. Where to stay on Trou aux Biches. 

Landlocked Malawi may be, but when half the country is made of freshwater lake then you know you are in for something spectacular! Likoma is one the islands on Lake Malawi. Sunsets on the western side of the island are something out of this world: the big red-orange ball sinking into the lake and disappearing behind the distant hills of the Malawian mainland is a spectacular sight that has to be witnessed to be believed.

 

 

You can also explore surrounding areas on foot with many fishing villages on the coast of the lake. With no cars on the islands, you can relax and enjoy the surrounding natural beauty. Where to stay on Lake Malawi.

 

I am sure you have seen many pictures of this beautiful island in the Indian Ocean on the coast of the continent that it really needs no introduction. Of Seychelles’ 155 islands, Mahe, La Digue and Praslin boast to be the most popular. Mahe’s beautiful beaches and the scenic atmosphere is the perfect royal retreat or getaway you could gift yourself.

 

 

The jade waters give off this laid-back vibe for relaxation beyond your imagination and Praslin is for the adrenaline-rush seeking travelers who long to scuba-dive or snorkel so who wouldn’t want to experience such paradise? For inspiration on things to do in Mauritius and Seychelles click here.

 

Where in the world can you combine sunbathing with whale watching without having to lift a finger or the hustle of getting on a boat? Here that’s where! If you’ve always longed to relax on a white stretch of beach where shade is provided by lazy palm trees, not striped umbrellas, Ifaty, on the southwest coast of Madagascar, could be your answer. Flanked by a coral reef, which you can explore with goggles and a snorkel or on the surface from a colorful dugout canoe.

 

Kribi is home to Cameroon’s best beaches: the sand is fine, the water crystal clear,  fresh fish is on the menu and cold beer on tap; there are times when Africa hugs you and this is one of those. Most of Kribi’s hotels are on the coast usually with their own beach fronts. Beautiful sights await you in this West-African country. The Chutes de la Lobé, a few kilometers south of town have an impressive set of waterfalls that empty directly into the sea. A total must see! For Where to stay in Kirbi.

 

When most people think of Nigeria, I doubt the pictures of stunning beaches are coupled with those thoughts of 419s. Well, think again! Tucked into Nigeria’s southeastern corner, the capital of Cross River state has a rich history and is well worth a trip. The Calabar Beach is located at the mouth of the Calabar River.

 

Visitors will feel like they’re walking into a mirage. Calabar occupies five kilometers of space on the coastline, giving the illusion of total privacy.Very few locals actually go to the beach except for the fishermen. It is not uncommon to see a fishing hut on the beach. Visitors come for the serenity to be found on the beach.

 

The Blue Lagoon on the beach provides more gentle water for weaker swimmers. The climate in the area is tropical so there is high humidity, which in turn heats the water. Visitors can enjoy a pleasant, relaxing swim. They are encouraged to try and explore the shoreline through the water instead of walking. The view from the swim is memorable and will not be forgotten anytime soon.

 

Swimmers can go snorkeling by the coral reefs and see the fabulous aquatic life. Originally a cluster of Efik settlements, Calabar was once one of Nigeria’s biggest slave ports, and later a major exporter of palm oil. A popular stopover for travelers heading to Cameroon. For places to stay in Calabar check out this list of hotel options.

There you have it, 20 of the best beaches in Africa.  So how many of these have you already been to or are now adding to your bucket list?