The Most Beautiful Beaches In Africa

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Located off the Tanzanian coast in the Indian Ocean, Zanzibar is nothing short of a paradise for travelers wishing to soak in local culture while relaxing at the most stunning white sand beaches. Stone Town, the cultural heart of the island, makes you travel back in time with its winding alleys, extravagant houses, and animated bazaars. This Swahili coastal trading town is also home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters that will leave no one indifferent.

The most laid back and relaxing coastal town in Kenya is Lamu, by far. With only occasional braying donkeys and calls to prayer, nothing can disturb the peacefulness travelers will experience in Lamu. What is best, the beaches there are breathtaking, and the town is located very close to a stunning marine national park ideal for snorkeling activities. Shela Beach is one of the most perfect places to chill out and adopt a slow coastal living style.

Just picture yourself for one second relaxing at a mesmerizing white sand beach surrounded by crystal clear waters, lush green hills, and impressive glacis boulders on a sunny day. It might sound too good to be true, but this is the everyday reality for those traveling to the Seychelles. No wonder it is a famous honeymoon destination. But there is more to the island than mere romance. The most adventurous can embark on jungle walks, dive, snorkel or go on boat excursions. What’s more, there are stunning marine parks and nature reserves to the delight of wildlife and nature lovers.

For a slice of paradise, hop on board a plane heading to Mauritius. Not only does the island offer amazing sunbathing and swimming opportunities on white sand beaches and cobalt blue waters, it also offers a rich history and cultural diversity. As what makes a place is also, and mostly, its people, travelers will be pleased to know that the stunning island is also home to some of the warmest and most welcoming people in the world who simply know how to relax and enjoy a slow-paced, happy life.

Who has not heard about the beauty of the Cape Verdean islands? Amongst them, Santo Antão is without doubt one of the most spectaculars. Ruptured with stunning gorges, canyons and valleys, the vertical isle offers some of the best hiking opportunities in the West African region. The country’s second largest island is also one of the greenest with pine trees dominating gorgeous hilltops and tropical plants covering valleys. Here the coastline is picturesque, and even though winds can be strong and seas rough, there are still a couple of beautiful places where travelers can swim, including Praia Formosa.

Located only a 45-minute drive from Accra, Ghana’s capital city, Kokrobite consists of a long stunning stretch of beautiful white sand beaches. The area is a favorite among backpackers, Accra weekenders and also volunteers. It does not have all the luxurious hotels and facilities. Instead, it provides authentic beach experiences for travelers who are up for a good party with barbecue, beer and live music. This is, indeed, the perfect place to unwind while listening to the sound of the waves for days.

It almost seems impossible to have such a great diversity of astonishing landscapes on such a small area until you see it for yourself when visiting Réunion. Comparable to the island of Hawaii, this magical African island is home to gorgeous waterfalls, breathtaking mountainous landscapes, emerald forests, white but also black sand beaches, incredible panoramic views and much more. There is also a very accessible active volcano around and hiking remains a favorite activity. With a mix of Indian, Creole, African, French and Chinese heritage, this is the paradise island for nature, culture, food and beach lovers combined.

Looking for an unspoiled African island? Do not look any further. You have your answer in Cape Maclear, Malawi’s little jewel. In this tiny fishing village located on Lake Nyasa, the pace of life is not only slow, it is extremely slow. The place is made famous for its kayaking opportunities, freshwater diving and many hammocks to relax in. But, most importantly, the whole point of traveling there is doing as little as you can!

Located in Cameroon between the rainforest of Mount Cameroon and the stunning Atlantic coastline, Limbe is a stunning cosmopolitan seaside city. This attractive and charming place is popular both with local and international travelers who come to relax on the beach for some days before exploring another destination. The best beaches around are located at the north of the city and are known by the distance you need to travel to reach them. Mile 11 and Mile 6 are popular options and so is Mile 8 in Batoké village.