The 10 Best Beaches In Africa: Why You Should Visit?

Africa is home to mystical places on Earth. No one can tell you the beauty of Africa unless you decide to pay a visit.

The coastline stretches around the continent of Africa.  It’s tough to point out one beach to visit from the hundreds of beaches available all over Africa.

Our travel experience across Africa has led us to share these amazing beach destinations with love.

The truth is, we don’t have enough space to cover all available places in Africa, but we believe this guide will shed light on your search for the best beach to visit in Africa.

The beauty of Africa’s beaches will move you and leave a lasting impression.

We’re inviting you to read this article, which is the complete guide for the 10 best beaches to visit in Africa and why you should visit.

Here is the list of the 10 best beaches in Africa

1. Kendwa Beach, Zanzibar

Kendwa Beach is a popular beach in Zanzibar, offering a quiet, relaxed atmosphere.

It offers clear water ideal for water sports such as diving, snorkeling, and swimming.

If you plan to visit Nungwi village, then Kendwa beach is a few miles from Nungwi.

Kendwa Beach is characterized by fewer tides, making it a perfect destination for beach lovers.

This exceptionally clear-water beach offers a range of activities, including volleyball and beach soccer. What about nightlife parties at Kendwa?

The party is lively when the sun goes down.  Don’t mention mouth-watering dishes and drinks.

Kendwa Beach is the place to be if you are planning to have a blissful experience on your holiday in Zanzibar.

How to visit Kendwa Beach in Zanzibar?

Like other famous beaches in Zanzibar, Kendwa is only 56km from Stone Town.

You can either hire a private car or taxi, which is a bit expensive, or board public vehicles ( dala dala ).

Ask the public vehicle conductor to stop you at Kendwa Rock, and villagers can point you in the right direction to the beach.

Walk for 15 minutes to the village before reaching Kendwa Beach in Zanzibar.

2. Kaya Mawa, Malawi

It may shock you to see Malawi on this list, but we promise that this landlocked destination has the third-largest freshwater lake in Africa.

This lake is 47 miles wide and offers a traditional beach resort feel.

The beach lodge Kaya Mawa is translated as “May Be Tomorrow” in the local language and is the best place to visit on Likoma Island in Malawi.

This place is a paradise for honeymooners and beach lovers. You can choose to relax or take a short combined wildlife tour in Malawi or Zambia.

If you need to enjoy the lake, do it in the morning, when there are no tides and the wind is calm. By day, the wind picks up.  You can enjoy kayaking or paddleboarding.

Later in the day, you can do other activities like mountain biking or walking trips, meet the locals, and experience what Malawi has to offer.

If you plan to visit this place, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for a customized trip to Malawi.

3. North Island, Seychelles

Seychelles is the true definition of a tropical paradise destination in Africa.

The fine, powdery sand, lapped by the azure Indian Ocean and fringed with palm trees, enchants visitors to this place.

The North Island is one of the best-rated islands in the world. Many famous people have chosen this Island for its beauty and uniqueness.

Despite being accessed by helicopter from the main Island of Mahe, the North Island is home to 11 luxurious villas with private beaches.

No doubt why the North Island is named a picture-perfect destination in Africa.

Whether you’re planning for a honeymoon vacation in Africa, then this Island is the place to be.

The feeling of pristine, private, and isolated Africa makes the North Island the perfect beach destination on our list.

Are you planning to visit Seychelles? Feel free to talk with our expert today.

4. Thonga Beach Lodge, South Africa

It’s here in rural South Africa, the place known as KwaZulu-Natal.

This land is in Maputaland, which is part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This magical, stretched coastline is the excluded place, away from the built-up, busy city of Durban, just 4 hours further south.

Visiting this place is beyond beach activities. It offers a different experience of wilderness, fresh air, and the salty spray of the ocean as the waves crash against the shoreline.

People who live diving and snorkeling have found paradise here. Diving with Giant Rays, Whale Sharks, and Bottle-nosed dolphins is magical.

Experience the local reefs and their fish. But witness the Leatherback and Loggerhead turtles in November, and hatching in January and April.

Thonga Beach Lodge is a fantastic beach to visit in Africa.

5. Azura Benguerra , Mozambique

Mozambique shares the Indian Ocean coastline. It has a 2,470 km coastline stretching to the southeastern coast of Africa.

Mozambique is home to two of Africa’s archipelagos, Quirimbas (north ) and Bazaruto (south ).

This beach complemented the safari perfectly. Either you take a flight from South Africa to Mozambique.

There are several options for beach visits in Mozambique, but the top choice is Benguerra Island.

The Benguarra is set within the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park.

You can either use speed boats to encircle the island or enjoy the endless beaches that your eyes can see, teaming with reefs and colorful fish.

Guess what? If you love snorkeling and diving, then this area is top-notch.

There is a chance to spot a very rare sea mammal, “Dugong”, native to these waters, but also dolphins.

Benguerra Island is not only about the beach; there is a local community that lives here. Enjoy meeting people and learning and unlearning about cultures.

Local residents on Benguerra Island are fishermen and prefer to unwind on weekends by watching football games.

5. Bweju- Paje Beach, Zanzibar

An exotic place to visit in Zanzibar, away from the noise of Stone Town.

The Bweju-Paje island on the South-East coast remained relatively unchanged over the past decades.

This beautiful beach in Tanzania’s Zanzibar was named one of the World’s Top 30 Beaches by Condé Nast Traveller Magazine.

Bweju-Paje Beach accommodates all types of visitors—either family or solo travelers.

During low tide, a shallow lagoon makes it safe for families to paddle and play, and at high tide, the reef tames the ocean, making it a good swimming spot for divers.

How to get to Bweju- Paje beach in Zanzibar?

If you arrive in Stone Town, the distance is about 60 km.  You can either hire a private car or taxi, or even board a dala dala ( public vehicle ) for a budget option.

This beach is a luxury paradise if you’re visiting Zanzibar for either a honeymoon or a family vacation. Bweju-Paje Beach gets you covered.

It’s home to the popular Zanzibar Collection resorts, yes, you can opt for Luxury, Baraza, and Palms.

These accommodations offer a 5* service experience. Read more on  Zanzibar luxury hotels and lodges.

6. Skeleton Coast, Namibia

This is the mystical beach in Africa’s Namibia.  Why is it named the Skeleton Coast?

This is when the Kalahari Desert meets the Atlantic Ocean, creating a natural beach paradise.

The Skeleton cost is named for the dotted skeletons of whales and the rusting bones of shipwrecks (a tragic story of a lost ship driven by waves to this coast).

A tale of the ocean never ends; it underscores Mother Nature’s power.

There is a mystery about this inhospitable desert environment.

Some animals, including lions, elephants, and brown hyenas, adapted to these harsh environments.

Visiting the Skeleton Coast is not only about a beach vacation; the combined wildlife experience adds spice to your African Namibia experience.

You can read more about Kalahari’s desert lions in our article about lions of the world.

7. Nakupenda Beach

The word Nakupenda is the Swahili word that translates to “I love you.

Nakupenda Beach, no wonder, is the best-rated beach in Zanzibar by locals and foreigners.

This beach resembles a long string of gorgeous white sand dropped in the turquoise waters. Is the wonder of its own visible during the low tides?

Visitors to the island of Zanzibar can take romantic leisure walks or soak up the sun at this location.

Like Nungwi Beach, Nakupenda offers the best opportunity to swim with dolphins and turtles while capturing memorable photos of your Tanzania experience.

Another popular reason to visit Nakupenda Beach is snorkeling. There is a wonderful world underwater.

The beautiful coral reefs and marine life offer the most fantastic view ever seen from the surface.

Nakupenda Beach can be combined with Prison Island or Changuu; don’t forget to take photos for a social media post.

8. Nungwi Beach, Zanzibar Island

Nungwi Beach is a vibrant beach in Zanzibar, and the lively nightlife is a unique experience that money can’t buy.

Nungwi Beach is very popular, and it offers fun opportunities beyond what you might expect in Zanzibar.

The palatable food and drinks are always excellent.

The warm water at Nungwi Beach offers the perfect chance for you to enjoy snorkeling and diving.

You will also get a chance to explore underwater creatures, including the sea turtle, dolphins, and tropical fish.

Don’t forget that Nungwi Beach offers a range of activities, including water sports such as kayaking, horse riding, and fishing.

But when the sun goes down, we put on our dancing shoes to celebrate the day.

Rooftops Bar, Sex Fish, and Fisherman’s Grill are the best places to enjoy music, good drinks, and marine foods.

9. Diani Beach, Mombasa, Kenya

Diani Beach is Africa’s top-rated beach in Mombasa, Kenya.  Diani Beach is heaven for silky wind sand lovers.

It marks the border where Africa’s land meets the vast Indian Ocean, creating this tropical paradise in Kenya.

Visiting Diani Beach can be combined with Kenya’s best wildlife safari.

You can start with a safari either at the Maasai Mara or head toward Diani to unwind and relax on the turquoise water and palm-lined streets.

Diani Beach has been awarded as the best beach destination in Africa for years running, and it’s easy to see why.

How to get to Diani Beach, Mombasa?

Located 30km south of Mombasa, this south coast beach is surrounded by the warm Indian Ocean, with countless beach resorts to accommodate you during your stay.

Diani Beach is everything that comes to mind when you think of a tropical paradise – rolling white sands perfect for sunbathing, crystal clear waters ideal for snorkeling, and an abundance of wildlife to discover.

Perfect for families and couples, Diani is a popular choice for a few days at the end of a safari in Kenya and makes an excellent standalone getaway.

Diani Beach is one of the most incredible water sports destinations in East Africa.

Kayaking, jet-skiing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, paddleboarding, and scuba-diving are all possible – whatever your pace or skill level, you’ll find something to experience at Diani.

You can check out our 11 Days Kenya Honeymoon Safari 

10. Agadir Beach, Morocco

Morocco is the best destination in North Africa. It is a popular destination for visitors from Europe.

Morocco offers some of the best attractions for visitors, including Africa’s finest beaches and historical tours in Marrakech.

We have decided to choose Agadir Beach on our list instead of others, and you can see why.

Agadir is located on Morocco’s southern Atlantic Coast and is one of the country’s most famous beach resort towns.

European travelers looking for a laid-back,well-priced, family-friendly beach vacation have flocked here for decades.

Agadir’s trailing stretch of golden sand rims the length of the city center, so there’s plenty of space to choose from.

If you’re after full facilities and easy access to cafés and restaurants while on the sand, head to one of the two private sections: Palm Beach or Sunset Beach.

These two strips sit in front of Agadir’s central tourism district and offer up the promise of easygoing days of sun and sand.

Hotels that sit slap on the seafront also have their own private patch of sand.

The five-star Sofitel Agadir Royal Bay Resort Hotel is the pick of the bunch for visitors seeking resort living with a beach, pool, excellent service, and rooms imbued with a stylish Moroccan aesthetic.

For family travelers, the Iberostar Founty Beach stands out for activities and entertainment geared toward children, a large pool area, and a vast stretch of beach.

If you’re planning to visit Morocco and don’t know where to start, feel free to contact us

Conclusion

Choosing where and which beach to visit in Africa can be challenging.

But we hope this simple guide for the 10 Best beaches to visit in Africa, and why.

Have shed light on your understanding of which part of Africa can make the most of it for your beach holiday.

Learn more about 11 Best Beaches to Visit in Zanzibar 

If you have any questions or requests regarding your African safari, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.

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