Africa's Top 50+ Beaches

  • Margate Beach // South Africa

    Margate Beach
    © ~ souTH AFRica ~ / CC BY

    Named rather quaintly – for the comparison ends there – after a beach on the south coast of England, the almost orange sands of Margate Beach in South Africa lie on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal province, around 90 minutes from Durban.

    A paved footpath runs along the beach amid the occasional lofty palm swaying gently in the breeze, but… read more »

  • Brenton-on-Sea // South Africa

    Brenton-on-Sea
    © Meraj Chhaya / CC BY

    Situated on the Garden Route some 15 kilometres west of Knysna in Western Cape province, Brenton-on-Sea Beach extends its light sands for approximately three kilometres.

    Largely undeveloped due to official protection afforded to the endangered Brenton Blue butterfly (most easily sighted from the end of October until December), the sound of the warm Indian Ocean waves is likely to be all… read more »

  • Buffalo Bay // South Africa

    Buffalo Bay
    © Werner Bayer / CC BY

    Buffalo Bay, or Buffelsbaai, is found in the Goukamma Nature Reserve in the Western Cape. Stretching for 14 kilometers this vast beach has incredible white sand and dunes which contrast with the beautiful blue waters of the ocean. With a backdrop of coastal forest the beach here really can feel like a lost paradise.

    The beach has plenty of activities… read more »

  • Umdloti Beach // South Africa

    Umdloti Beach
    © Ossewa / CC BY

    Umdloti Beach lies a short distance north of the South African city of Durban, close enough to be incorporated into the Greater Durban Metropolitan Municipality of eThekwini. Making the most of the area's warm Indian Ocean waters, Umdloti Beach is also situated at the mouth of the Mdloti River, from which the beach garners its name, and is surrounded by… read more »

  • Scottburgh Beach // South Africa

    Scottburgh Beach
    © Ossewa / CC BY

    Scottburgh Beach lies on a curved bay of KwaZulu-Natal province's South Coast region. It is reached via a footpath that runs across an area of grass perfect for games or for sitting down to a picnic. Its position on the south bank of the Mpambanyoni River as it exits the Indian Ocean means visitors are able to enjoy not only… read more »

  • Kariega Beach // South Africa

    Kariega Beach
    © Africa Deluxe Tours / CC BY

    Part of the charming seaside resort town of Kenton-on-Sea, Kariega Beach is situated between Port Elizabeth and East London on South Africa's southeast coast. It is a quiet town where many people spend their holidays. As you relax on the golden sands, you can gaze at the incredible sunsets over the blue ocean. You will have a glimpse of… read more »

  • Kelly's Beach // South Africa

    Kelly's Beach
    © South African Tourism / CC BY

    Kelly's Beach is located near the Kowie River estuary mouth at Port Alfred and is a wild and beautiful place. A wide stretch of pale golden sand backed by sand dunes where natural vegetation abounds.

    You can relax on the sandy beach and then view the amazing sunsets from one of two viewing decks late in the afternoon. When the whales… read more »

  • uShaka Beach // South Africa

    uShaka Beach
    © Diriye Amey / CC BY

    With a fine location at the southern end of Durban's Golden Mile of beaches, uShaka Beach on the Point Waterfront is a relatively sheltered stretch of glorious golden sands with direct access to the uShaka Marine World theme park that backs on to it.

    Technically one of the free to access parts of the park, uShaka Beach is also… read more »

  • Petite Anse Kerlan // Seychelles

    Petite Anse Kerlan
    Fabio Achilli

    This small beach of Petite Anse Kerlan has sweeping views over the turquoise waters towards a small offshore island, and the white sand is bookmarked by large boulders. Behind, shady palm and coconut trees stretch down to the beach.

    The water is calm and shallow, and it is almost always safe for everyone including children. Most of the beach-goers are guests… read more »

  • Anse Kerlan // Seychelles

    Anse Kerlan
    dronepicr

    Along the northwest coast of Praslin is a beautiful slice of paradise. Anse Kerlan is an amazing beach with incredible views of Cousin and Cousine islands, and this west-facing beach also has phenomenal sunsets. This stretch of Seychelles coast has a somewhat wilder more remote feel and there are often fallen trees on the beach. The waves can be strong… read more »

  • Anse Cocos // Seychelles

    Anse Cocos
    Tobi 87

    Anse Cocos is a beautiful location on La Digue, with its pale golden sandy beaches and a natural pool of crystal clear water. Formed by huge time-sculpted boulders, this pool is shallow at low tide and perfect for swimming. You will need to access the beach on foot, but there are a few easy paths, so it is not difficult… read more »

  • Petite Anse // Seychelles

    Petite Anse
    © www.walkers.sk

    This serene beach has crystal clear water, white sand and is set in a pristine landscape replete with palm trees and other tropical greenery. The reason for the name, Petite Anse (Little Cove), isn't entirely clear as it is possibly slightly bigger than neighbouring Grand Anse (Big Cove). That said this is quite a cosy spot so it is… read more »

  • Anse Marron // Seychelles

    Anse Marron
    otterboris

    The pretty little cove of Anse Marron is at the most southerly point on La Digue island. This beach is stunning and remote with the white sands and clear waters bookmarked by huge granite boulders jutting out of the sand. Unlike much of the west coast there is no coral reef to protect the beach, so the water gets deep… read more »

  • Msambweni Beach // Kenya

    Msambweni Beach
    Mbuyubeach

    Located on a quiet stretch of Kenya's Indian Ocean coastline between Mombasa and the border with Tanzania to the south, Msambweni Beach is dominated by the upscale beach resort of the same name which watches over the beach from low rocky cliffs.

    The beach comprises close to three kilometres of soft white sand contrasted against the deep green of the surrounding… read more »

  • Kikambala Beach // Kenya

    Kikambala Beach
    DocWoKav

    One of a string of excellent stretches of white sand which lie immediately north of Mombasa, Kikambala Beach is one of the quietest and the most serene.

    Part of this sense of space comes from the fact Kikambala Beach runs for approximately 12 kilometres in total. Difficult to reach without your own transport or pre-arranged shuttle service, you'll still need to… read more »