The Best Beaches in and Around Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo

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A long stretch of beautiful nature, Côte Sauvage is the jewel of Pointe-Noire. Good for surfing and long walks, it’s the perfect place to just sit and breathe. Local and modern international restaurants and bars are dotted along the road and vary in price. The best food served here is obviously seafood. The beach is regularly cleaned, so it’s always a pleasure to visit, however you should avoid going at night when it’s deserted and unlit. Sundays also tend to get very busy, but whatever the time and whatever the day, it’s always a good place to relax with a beer. It should be noted that the sea can be quite rough with very strong currents, so even if you’re strong swimmer be advised to stay close to the shore.

Mvassa is one of the most beautiful beaches also situated in the south of the city of Pointe-Noire, on one end of the Côte Sauvage. This beautiful beach is often less-visited, most likely because of its small size. Because this part of the coast is sheltered, this beach is known as a surfer’s spot, but is also a great place for swimming and diving. To access this beach it is recommended you take a 4×4 car as the road to Mvassa tends can be very sandy.

Côte Mondaine is located in south-west Ndili and Loandjili in the north-west of Pointe-Noire. This quiet location is still popular as it is located close to the city centre and is sheltered by the bay. The beach is located across from the popular restaurant La Pyramid, as well as other great luxury spots such as Villa Madiba and Palm Beach. Côte Mondaine beach is breathtakingly beautiful. Take a walk along the beach at sunrise for the most perfect view of the sparkling sea water. This beach does not have any trees for shade but does offer a beautiful view of golden sand and is often empty during the week, though it can get a little crowded over weekends and during holidays.

This lovely stretch of sandy beach is located next to Mabindou in Kouloui 19km north of Pointe-Noire. This is a great place to visit if you’re hoping to get out of the city for the day. It is a popular destination and often filled with locals over the weekends, with several hotels and restaurants nearby. During the week you’re likely to have the place almost entirely to yourself, so take advantage of the fact that this beach is definitely the perfect spot for an afternoon swim or surf trip.

Loango Bay is one of the few rocky areas of the Congolese coast, with the waters sheltered from strong currents. This particular beach is filled with a cluster of rocks. Thus, throughout the year, a large population of sea turtles, mainly juvenile green turtles, hawksbill, olive and leatherback turtles are concentrated in this area. Loango Bay is also a historic site of the slave trade. It was one of the main doors for where colonisers embarked on the forced exile of slaves.