Some of the best beach holidays in Africa are found in Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique, Seychelles, Mauritius, and South Africa. There are coastlines, tropical islands, and freshwater lakes to choose from for your beach holiday.
Tanzania
Tanzania is famous for wildlife including Big Five and the wildebeest migration. The country also offers a wide range of beach destinations including Lake Tanganyika, Zanzibar Islands, Mafia Island, and Pemba Island. There are also private islands such as Mnemba Atoll and Fanjove for those intending to enjoy an exclusive holiday.
Lake Tanganyika
Beach holiday on Lake Tanganyika offers secluded beaches far away from tourist crowds, marine wildlife, and snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, and boat trips to Lupita Island. The freshwater lake is part of the western Tanzania circuit safari and is accessible together with the national parks of Mahale, Gombe Stream, and Katavi, where you can engage top African wildlife safari activities including guided bush walks, game drives, and chimpanzee trekking.
Mafia Island
Forming part of the larger Zanzibar archipelago, Mafia Island is 20 km from the mouth of Rufigi River Delta and 130 km (4-hour ferry ride from the port of Nyamisati) southeast of Dar es Salaam. Nyamisati is 157 km (3-hour drive) south of Dar es Salaam. The island can also be reached by air through Mafia airport in Kilindoni capital city. Only light planes carrying no more than 14 people are permitted. Mafia Island is a lesser-known destination for beach holidays in East Africa given that most of the travelers tend to go to Zanzibar Island. As such, Mafia Island offers secluded beaches including Utende, Bweni, and Butiama, each with unique activities, marine wildlife, and accommodation. Utende beach is located at the southern tip of Chole Bay within Mafia Island Marine Park, famous for harboring whale sharks. The beach offers top-notch accommodation on the entire island including the 3-star Mafia Island Lodge. Diving and snorkeling are fantastic at Utende beach due to the calm waters and high visibility which offers an opportunity to swim and snorkel with whale sharks from Octobers to February. Bweni Beach, a natural beach on Mafia Island’s northwest shore is best for those intending to unwind without engaging in any water sports. The beach has no accommodation and can be visited on a day trip from Kilindoni town. Butiama beach is 3 km from Kilindoni town on the southwest coast of Mafia Island and offers 3 budget accommodation including Butiama Camp, Butiama Beach Lodge, and Butiama Bustani Hotel. The beach also offers one diving center offering opportunity to see whale sharks.
Pemba Island
Situated 35 km southwest of the main island of Zanzibar, Pemba is a low lying island with valleys and rolling hills, mangrove and tropical forests including Ngezi and Mwita Mkuu forest reserves which harbor rich biodiversity including 132 species of birds, fish species, and the Pemba flying fox, a fruit bat. The island is surrounded by smaller islands including Misali Island which offers beaches, accommodation, diving, and snorkeling. Snorkeling on Misali Island offers a chance to spot starfish and sea turtles. Another idyllic spot is Fundu Lagoon Island which offers a private beach, resort with spa treatments that is ideal for honeymooners. The beaches on Pemba Island include Vumawimbi beach, set against the backdrop of green hills, it’s the most popular due to enough space for to enjoy sunbathing and water sports such as swimming. Those intending to explore more can visit Pemba Ngezi forest reserve for birding and nature walks. Among others things to do on Pemba Island include Chake Chake city tour, visiting the Mkame Ndume and Ras Mkumbuu ruins. These ruins are 10 km from Chake Chake town.
Kenya
Kenya’s Indian Ocean coastline stretches for over 600 km and offers some of the best beach holiday destinations including Lamu Island, Mombasa town, Malindi, Diani beach, and Watamu.
Lamu Archipelago
Protected by coral reefs and mangrove forests, Lamu Archipelago consists of Lamu, Manda, and Pate Islands among other smaller ones such as Manda Toto Island. Lamu is the main Island with an old town that was designated a UNESCO world heritage site in 2002 due to its original East African Swahili settlements characterized by magnificent stone buildings and narrow streets. The main modes of transport are donkeys and dhow boats and there are few cars and motorcycles that offer transport. The old town has a strong religious community centered on the annual Maulidi festival featuring a parade, poetry, music and dance, art exhibitions, dhow boat cruise, swimming and donkey race competitions. Lamu offers more of a historical and cultural experience than a beach holiday. Explore the Lamu museum, Lamu Fort, a Donkey Sanctuary, Swahili shops with a variety of traditional art work, fabrics, jewelry, furniture, and artifacts. Lamu also offers a wide range of restaurants than Shela which offer traditional cuisine.
The best beaches on Lamu Island are found in Shela town and Kizingoni beach. Shela Village is a modern town situated 3 km south of Lamu with clean touristic environment, a wide range of accommodation, 14 km of beach and in close proximity to the offshore Kizingoni beach. This beach is separated from island by a mangrove forest bay and offers white sands and clear water. There are privately owned Swahili houses and nice venues for wedding and events. Kizingoni beach is ideal for snorkeling, scuba diving with dolphins, and sea kayaking. The best time to visit Lamu Island is during November and March. Shela is 3 km south of Lamu town and can be reached by boat, donkey or walk.
Pate Island
The largest on Lamu archipelago, Pate Island is surrounded by mangrove forests and is rich in biodiversity including birds, sea turtles, and marine mammals such as dugong. The island doesn’t have nice beaches for a beach holiday and should be visited on day trips from Lamu or Shela for nature and cultural and historical heritage purpose. The Patte Resources and Tourism Initiative, a community based organization offers a band accommodation and Eco tourism initiatives such as Mtanga Bird Sanctuary, bee keeping to help reduce overdependence on fishing and mangroves.
Mombasa
One of the largest ports in Africa, Mombasa is 484 km south east of Nairobi capital city and can be reached by 15-hour overnight train journey and by air via Moi international airport. Direct flights are available from the Maasai Mara national reserve with average 2-hour flight time. Mombasa is a perfect place to unwind after a safari in Kenya. Mombasa offers pristine beaches including Diani, Nyali, Shanzu, New Big Tree Beach, Bamburi, and Mombasa. You can easily access them from the city center by car or taxi given that some of these beaches are located some distance from the main city. Exploring Mombasa city and its beautiful beaches can be an exciting and relaxing experience. Mombasa is rich in history, culture, and architecture with a unique blend of East African Swahili, Arab, Portuguese, Indian, and European influences. Some of the top things to do in Mombasa include walking tours in Mombasa old town to explore historical buildings dating back from the 18th century including Fort Jesus, a UNESCO world heritage site and now a museum showcasing the history of Mombasa. The best beaches to explore for beach holiday in Mombasa include the following:-
Diani beach
Situated 57 km (45-minute drive) south of Mombasa city, Dian is the most beautiful beach in Mombasa perfect for relaxing and water sport activities. Diani beach offers white sand and crystal-clear waters including water sports including kite surfing, windsurfing, and snorkeling, and diving. Diani beach also offers a wide range of luxury resorts such as Elewana Afrochick, Baobab Beach Resort and Spa, Swahili Beach Resort, and Nomad Beach Resort. Diani beach is also close to Shimba hills national reserve, offering a short excursion to see wildlife including sable antelope, elephants, and buffaloes.
Nyali beach
A more urban beach, Nyali is 7 km south of Mombasa city via Mombasa Malindi road and offers a quieter escape from with nice stretches of white sand, great restaurants, and a wide range of accommodations including Sun African Beach resort, Serena Beach Resort and Spa, Voyager Beach resort, and Sarova White sands Beach resort and Spa.
Bamburi Beach is 13 km (20 minutes drive) from Mombasa this beach is famous for its coral reefs and calm waters, making it great for snorkeling and diving. The area has plenty of resorts and restaurants where you can enjoy the local cuisine.
Shanzu
A quieter alternative to Bamburi and Nyali, Shanzu beach is (30 minute drive) offers a peaceful, more private beach experience and has several resorts.
Mombasa Marine National Park
The 210 sq. km protected area can be reached by car from Shanzu, Bamburi, and Nyali beaches and is rich in biodiversity including coral reefs, sea grasses and algae such as Porites, Acropora, and Turbinaria. Among other marine fish species include Surgeon fish, Crabs, Sea Urchins, Snappers, Jelly fish, groupers, and Sweetlips. Sea birds also include Roseate terns and Crab plovers. In addition to marine wildlife, the park offers water sport activities which include diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, jet skiing and boat rides.
Mozambique
Mozambique has over 2,500 km of coastline featuring pristine beaches and tropical islands including Bazaruto, Quirimbas, and Ponta du Ouro.
Quirimbas is a group of 32 islands along the Indian Ocean Coast of Mozambique and includes a protected area of Quirimbas national park. The gateway to these islands is Pemba, a colonial town with an airport, banks, forex exchange, craft shops, markets, restaurants and accommodations. This allows visitors to spend some time in the town exploring its rich historical and cultural heritage before going to one of the islands including the Medjumbe Private Island and Resort which offers 12 beach pool villas. The island is protected by reefs from ocean currents, making for one of the best places for diving, snorkeling, fishing, and watching the These reefs provide a natural barrier that helps protect the island from strong currents and waves.The resort offers a variety of activities for guests, including diving, snorkeling, fishing, sailing, and whale watching. There are also opportunities to explore the nearby islands and villages. Pemba can be reached by air with direct flights from Kruger national park, Kenya or Tanzania.