Beach Holidays in Africa

Beach Holidays

In terms of the best beach experiences, focus your research on Tanzania, South Africa, Kenya, Mozambique and Zanzibar. If an inland lake can be classified as a beach, don’t forget to swing by Lake Malawi too. All of these destinations cater for family getaways, and are wonderful as honeymoon escapes too.

Beach destinations may not be the first thing that springs to mind when considering Africa, but the continent does offer some of the best beach-lounging, cocktail-sipping, novel-reading, body-bronzing experiences in the world.

What You Need To Know

South Africa doesn’t have too many beach resorts in the true sense of the word, but if you find yourself on the east coast, in particular the Garden Route or Kwa-Zulu Natal, you’ll be able to experience the warm Indian Ocean right on your doorstep.

Cape Town has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, but the freezing Benguerra current makes swimming at these beaches a chilly affair.

Kenya offers white sandy beaches and clear, warm water along its glorious coastline. As with Tanzania, a Kenyan beach experience after a safari is a wonderful addition to your itinerary. June to the end of September is the best time to visit Kenya’s coast.

When travelling to Tanzania, you have the option of visiting a beach on the mainland or head to one of the islands just off the coast, like Pemba and Mafia. There’s a resort to suit every budget. Zanzibar, which lies off the coast from Tanzania, is possibly one of the most under-rated of all beach destinations in Africa.

Mozambique has some of the most iconic beaches in Africa. The mainland resorts offer a wealth of activities and some of the best Scuba diving spots in the world. The islands off the coast of Mozambique are something special too. It’s possible to feel like you are the only person for hundreds of miles when relaxing on these pristine white beaches, with the warm Indian Ocean lapping at your feet.