Africa's Top 50+ Beaches

Anse Volbert // Seychelles

Daria

Anse Volbert Beach is the most popular beach on Praslin, and for good reason. This is yet another Seychellois archetypal tropical gem; the sand is pure white, the water is clear and turquoise, and the backdrop of palm trees provides plenty of shade and completes the paradise feel.
But Anse Volbert has more to offer than just relaxing in these idylic… read more »
Grande Anse // Seychelles

dronepicr

Grande Anse is one of the most beautiful beaches on the Seychelles island of La Digue. Not to be confused with Grande l'Anse beach, it is also a beautiful stretch of powder white sand bookmarked by headlands of large granite boulders, and the waters are the same stunning turquoise blue. There are not many visitors here as it is… read more »
Watamu Beach // Kenya

Jenny Kellett

Particularly popular with high-end Italian travellers, Watamu Beach is one of the best places to sample genuine Italian gelato in Africa.
Stretching from the mouth of Mida Creek to the centre of Watamu town, the beach's white sand attracts not only those seeking out a tropical paradise but also endangered sea turtles, who routinely nest on the beach.
In fact, the range… read more »
Legzira // Morocco

Yassine 1312

One of the most unique and beautiful beaches you'll find anywhere, Legzira Beach is famous for its huge rock arch. There were oririnally two arches, but one collapsed in late 2016. The second arch is at risk as the ocean continues to erode the red sandstone from which it is formed. The arch is accessible at low tide, and it… read more »
Milnerton Beach // South Africa

© Milnerton Beach / CC BY

You can find Milnerton Beach around 11 kilometres or 20 minutes from the centre of Cape Town in the area known as Blaauwberg. While drawing visitors from right across the region as a result of its fantastic views of Table Mountain, its delightful white sands actually remain something of an open secret.
Patrolled by lifeguards during the peak December season, the… read more »
Muizenberg // South Africa

Sitting at the western end of the huge curve of sand that make up False Bay, Muizenberg is rightfully one of Cape Town's best known beaches. The beach is around 200 metres of soft white sand which backs onto the laid back seaside town of Muizenberg.

The sandy stretch which forms the northern shore of False bay itself goes on… read more »
Sandy Bay // South Africa

© Gary Bembridge / CC BY

One of Cape Town's most inacessible beaches it is not entirely surprising that Sandy Bay is also Cape Town's only recognised naturist beach (although it is still unofficial). The beach is located just around the corner from upmarket Llandudno at the base of the rugged peaks of the Twelve Apostles mountains.
Like neighbouring Llandudno, Sandy Bay is a pretty stretch… read more »
Umhlanga // South Africa

Set on KwaZulu-Natal's Sugar Coast, just north of Durban is the buzzing resort town of Umhlanga. With the golden sand of the beach meeting the warm waters of the Indian Ocean it is little wonder the beachfront here has become home to a number of luxury hotels and apartments. Some of these actually predate the resort; the Oyster Box, a… read more »
Seaforth Beach // South Africa

© Kostas Limitsios / CC BY

Though narrow, at 600 metres long Seaforth Beach in the Simons Town suburb of Cape Town has one spectacular surprise for the unprepared – penguins. Best witnessed in the early morning just after sunrise and in the early evening at sunset, African penguins waddle happily along the sands of Seaforth Beach from their better-known colony at nearby Boulders Beach.
However,… read more »
St James Beach // South Africa

© Lennon Fletcher / CC BY

The Cape Town suburb of St James is located on the western side of False Bay, at the base of the Cape Peninsula. The name relates to the Roman Catholic churhc of St James which was built here in the 19th century for the Filipino fishermen who worked from adjoining Kalk Bay. With the coming of the railway the area… read more »
Anse Forbans // Seychelles

Marco Zanferrari

Anse Forbans is located on the quieter southeast coast of Mahe. It is a wide bay with shallow, clear, calm waters that form a lagoon between the coral reef off the shore. The oversized granite boulders on the shore make this beach feel secluded and private, and it is generally safe for swimming.
You can snorkel in the pristine turquoise waters… read more »
Pointe aux Sables // Mauritius

helloworld18

Pointe aux Sables Beach is located on the north-western side of Mauritius. It sits beside the fishing village of the same name, and is dotted with local fishing boats in and out of the warm Indian Ocean waters as a result.
Pointe aux Sables Beach has yellow sand, rather than the white coral sand of much of the island’s coast, though… read more »
South Beach // South Africa

© ilf_

Situated on Durban's famed "Golden Mile", South Beach sits to the south of the city centre about halfway between the surfing mecca of North Beach and Ushaka. As with other beaches in Durban South Beach has golden sands and warm blue waters that are a magnet to beachgoers, swimmers, and surfers alike. The beach is protected by shark… read more »
Santos Beach // South Africa

© ZS1TP / CC BY

Santos Beach is located in Mossel Bay, around 100 miles east of Cape Town. It is one of the most popular spots on the south coast for locals and holiday travelers alike. Besides hanging out on the beach there plenty of activities to enjoy, from checking out the harbour, dolphin and whale watching, snorkeling, swimming, and fishing.
The golden sands… read more »
Salt Rock Beach // South Africa

© HelenSTB / CC BY

Situated on the soft sands and warm waters of KwaZulu-Natal's Dolphin Coast, part of South Africa's Indian Ocean coastline, Salt Rock Beach is the main beach in a town of the same name. It's just 20 minutes' drive from Durban's King Shaka International Airport.
Both wide and long, this family-friendly beach is suitable for swimming, as well as past times… read more »