Discover Africa's coast & Indian Ocean islands
If you're looking for sun-kissed Africa beach holidays beneath a cloudless sky, then head to the east coast of Africa where the Indian Ocean meets Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique along with their tropical islands.
Whether you prefer a luxury resort or remote lodge, a private spot on a white-sand island or being close to the high life, we can help find your perfect African beach getaway. And if you want to do more than simply relax, there's a fascinating blend of cultures, vibrant marine life and adventure activities to experience.
If you want a short beach holiday after a safari in southern Africa, then you might want to consider the freshwater beach holidays beside Lake Malawi. You’ll be surprised by how good the snorkelling opportunities can be so far from any ocean.
For a more offbeat choice, anglers might brave the cold of the Namibian coast, the Skeleton Coast, for a holiday of outstanding fishing.
Our top ideas for beach holidays in Africa
A few days on a beautiful beach with a focus on adventure or pure relaxation, staying in simple castaway lodge, luxurious hotels or on world-class private islands. Talk to us.
Black Pepper Beach Holiday
7 days • 1 location
DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT
US$2,420 - US$3,980 per person
Fundu Lagoon
Fundu Lagoon organises day trips by boat to Misali Island, which has some of the best beaches around Tanzania's Pemba Island. You can scuba dive here, snorkel, or just relax and enjoy a great beach holiday.
Lemon Grass Beach Holiday
6 days • 2 locations
DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT
US$2,300 - US$3,020 per person
Pole Pole
For a beach holiday, it is more limited than Zanzibar. However, Pole Pole has one of the island’s better beaches. Casting off, some of Mafia’s best beaches are found on remote sandbars in the bay: stunning small beaches with a 360° view of the ocean reached on a dhow trip.
Chole Mjini
The best beaches near Chole Mjini are on isolated sandbars, uncovered by the tide and surrounded by coral reefs of the Indian Ocean. Beaches don't come more magical, untouched or remote than this, making it one of the best beach experiences in Tanzania today.
Benguerra Beach Holiday
6 days • 1 location
VILANCULOS AIRPORT TO VILANCULOS AIRPORT
US$6,280 - US$8,380 per person
Benguerra Lodge
Benguerra Island’s pale, sandy beaches are beautiful and this old, established lodge can deliver a superb beach holiday – amongst the best bets after a Southern Africa safari.
Azura Beach Holiday
6 days • 1 location
VILANCULOS AIRPORT TO VILANCULOS AIRPORT
US$5,250 - US$6,880 per person
Azura Benguerra
The beaches on Benguerra Island are beautiful: fine sand sprinkled with thousands of shells. Tidal variations are considerable – at low tide it may be a couple of kilometres to the sea!
Caraway Beach Holiday
5 days • 1 location
DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT
US$5,260 - US$5,680 per person
Fanjove Lodge
Fanjove’s untouched beaches and exposed sand banks at low tide make it a beautiful spot to relax.
Peacock Cichlid Safari
4 days • 1 location
LILONGWE AIRPORT TO LILONGWE AIRPORT
US$3,430 - US$4,480 per person
Kaya Mawa
The waters of Lake Malawi are implausibly clear, great for diving and especially snorkeling – which you can do straight from the golden beach of Kaya Mawa. This is one of our best spots for a relaxing beach holiday on the lake, and in a surprisingly remote place.
Damselfish island holiday
5 days • 1 location
MAHÉ AIRPORT TO MAHÉ AIRPORT
US$4,520 - US$5,680 per person
Denis Island Lodge
With long, stunning beaches, Denis Private Island is the perfect choice for those seeking a secluded beach holiday on the Seychelles. Each of the stylish cottages comes with its own private access to a lovely stretch of white sandy beach.
Triggerfish island holiday
4 days • 1 location
MAHÉ AIRPORT TO MAHÉ AIRPORT
US$3,410 - US$7,190 per person
Four Seasons Desroches Island
Looking for the best escapist’s beach holiday in the Seychelles? Try Desroches Island. Throw a towel, mask and suncream into your bike's pannier and pedal to a perfect beach. There are 14km to choose from, and you can get a fabulous picnic hamper delivered.
Squirrelfish island holiday
6 days • 2 locations
MAHÉ AIRPORT TO MAHÉ AIRPORT
US$2,750 - US$3,100 per person
Domaine d'Orangeraie
For a beach holiday on the Seychelles, the modern and luxurious Le Domaine de l'Orangeraie is a very good option. Just a short bike ride away are many of La Digue's beaches, including Anse Source d'Argent – arguably one of the world's most beautiful beaches.
Ephelia Resort
The northern beach at Constance Ephelia Resort on Mahé Island is a lovely spot for relaxed beach holidays in the Seychelles. Non-motorised water sports like kayaking and windsurfing are complimentary here. Expect consistently high standards throughout at this excellent resort!
Jasmine Beach Holiday
7 days • 1 location
DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT
US$3,380 - US$3,950 per person
Manta Resort
The Manta Resort sits on a beautiful stretch of white sandy beach. Its isolated location means that guests are unlikely to be disturbed during their beach break on Zanzibar – other than to be offered a fresh cocktail from the beach bar!
Best camps & lodges for Beach holidays in Africa
Pole Pole
For a beach holiday, it is more limited than Zanzibar. However, Pole Pole has one of the island’s better beaches. Casting off, some of Mafia’s best beaches are found on remote sandbars in the bay: stunning small beaches with a 360° view of the ocean reached on a dhow trip.
Pongwe Beach Hotel
Pongwe has one of the best beaches we have ever seen in Zanzibar. When the tide is high, Pongwe sits in a private cove. Then when it goes out, a wonderful stretch of inter-tidal zone is revealed for walking and exploring.
Unguja Lodge
Unguja Lodge doesn’t have one of Zanzibar’s endless long white beaches, but it is in a quiet, secluded location. Dive or snorkel straight from the beach to explore the coral cliff for a special holiday experience in East Africa.
Greystoke Mahale
Greystoke’s spectacular white beach of fine powder-sand is not beside the ocean, but deep inland, next to the great Lake Tanganyika. So whilst chimp-tracking in Mahale, pause to enjoy a superb beach holiday right in the heart of Africa.
Matemwe Lodge
Get equipment for a long reef walks, snorkelling and kayaking at the water sport centre on Matemwe’s pretty white sandy beach. You can even walk to the village and join a local fishing trip for a unique holiday experience.
Breezes Beach Club
Breezes Beach Club sits on a pretty stretch of beach on the Michamvi Peninsula. With plenty of loungers, a large swimming pool and a water-sports centre it is the location for a great beach holidays particularly for families.
Chole Mjini
The best beaches near Chole Mjini are on isolated sandbars, uncovered by the tide and surrounded by coral reefs of the Indian Ocean. Beaches don't come more magical, untouched or remote than this, making it one of the best beach experiences in Tanzania today.
Pumulani
To make your stay one of your best beach holidays, Pumulani offers a range of activities. Enjoy the sheer feeling of remoteness by the infinity pool, race around the lake on water-skis, or join a stately dhow for sundowners in the middle of the lake – the choice is yours.
Kinondo Kwetu
Having stayed here a couple of times we think this is one of the very best small hotels on Kenya’s coast. Away from any beach boys it’s ideal for a quiet yet luxurious beach holiday. You can make use of the facilities at the PADI diving school.
Kaya Mawa
The waters of Lake Malawi are implausibly clear, great for diving and especially snorkeling – which you can do straight from the golden beach of Kaya Mawa. This is one of our best spots for a relaxing beach holiday on the lake, and in a surprisingly remote place.
Kilindi
With a 500m stretch of white sand, the beach is a main feature at Kilindi. The location on the north-west coast means that sun sets over the sea - a unique feature for the east coast, which creates wonderful evening scenery.
Pinewood Beach Resort
Pinewood Beach Resort is located at the quiet, southern end of Diani Beach, known as Galu Beach. Enjoy your beach holiday in peace and maybe take the opportunity learn to dive at the neighbouring Aqualand water sports centre.
The Plettenberg
Within striking distance of the sweeping Outlook beach, and only a short drive to a number of other great beaches, The Plettenberg offer a smart, comfortable base from which to explore.
Azura Benguerra
The beaches on Benguerra Island are beautiful: fine sand sprinkled with thousands of shells. Tidal variations are considerable – at low tide it may be a couple of kilometres to the sea!
Camps Bay Retreat
Camps Bay Retreat is set within a short walk of three stunning beaches – Glen Beach, Camps Bay & Clifton. Beside this, it has three outdoor swimming pools, so you are spoilt for choice to create a best beach holiday experience.
Garden Lodge
Although not obvious for beach holidays in South Africa, the Garden Lodge overlooks a lovely, quiet, wild beach at Walker Bay. Activities can include beach picnics, riding on the beach, and even guided walks to an archaeological site in a massive local cave.
Baraza Resort & Spa
Baraza sits on a beautiful long stretch of sandy white palm fringed beach on the Michamvi Peninsula. With plenty of comfy loungers, a very large swimming pool and a great water sports centre it is a fantastic beach getaway.
Qambani
Tucked away at the northern tip of the Michamvi Peninsula, Qambani boasts a wide expanse of quiet beaches and blue waters. It is a fantastic spot to lie back, relax and enjoy your surroundings on a beach holiday in Zanzibar.
Bazaruto Lodge
If you are looking for a great beach holiday, then consider Bazaruto Lodge on Bazaruto Island. There are beaches all over the island with the waters on the western side generally very calm, perfect for swimming and sunbathing in Africa.
Manta Resort
The Manta Resort sits on a beautiful stretch of white sandy beach. Its isolated location means that guests are unlikely to be disturbed during their beach break on Zanzibar – other than to be offered a fresh cocktail from the beach bar!
Mnemba Island Lodge
Mnemba Island Lodge is the ultimate remote, exclusive beach retreat. It's relaxing and laid-back, with high standards that are delightfully understated. It is costly, but the beaches are stunning and it will a fabulous beach holiday in Tanzania.
Zuri Zanzibar
Located in the north west of Zanzibar, Zuri Zanzibar sits on a beautiful stretch of palm fringed beach. This area of the island is less tidal than Zanzibar's east coast meaning that you can swim in the sea throughout the day.
Matemwe Retreat
Many guests at Matemwe Retreat will stay in their villa, but a short walk away, the Retreat’s private beach usually has crystal clear water and, at high tide, it’s great for swimming. Relax on the beach or snorkel with the PADI dive centre.
Forest Lodge
Sandy beaches and clear water make Grootbos an ideal location for unforgettable beach holidays in South Africa. Not only for relaxing, but also for more or less highly adventurous activities as horse riding, whale watching or the thrilling shark cage diving.
Coco de Mer Hotel
Coco de Mer Hotel stands beside the sandy beach at Anse Bois de Rose, on Praslin’s south-west coast. With two pools, lots of activities and a gently sloping beach, it is great for children and one of the Seychelles best spots for a family beach holiday.
Ephelia Resort
The northern beach at Constance Ephelia Resort on Mahé Island is a lovely spot for relaxed beach holidays in the Seychelles. Non-motorised water sports like kayaking and windsurfing are complimentary here. Expect consistently high standards throughout at this excellent resort!
Asha Boutique Hotel
One of Asha's main natural attractions is its broad white beach frontage and often crystal-clear sea – great for beach holidays. You can relax on the beachfront terrace, have a drink or a meal, lie in the sun or take a snorkelling trip in the hotel’s boat.
Water Lovers
The extensive white sands of Diani Beach are the perfect lure for a beach break in Kenya, where WaterLovers has plenty of personal spaces to relax in the shade, along with a freshwater pool and kayaks for the more active.
Fundu Lagoon
Fundu Lagoon organises day trips by boat to Misali Island, which has some of the best beaches around Tanzania's Pemba Island. You can scuba dive here, snorkel, or just relax and enjoy a great beach holiday.
Fanjove Lodge
Fanjove’s untouched beaches and exposed sand banks at low tide make it a beautiful spot to relax.
Southern Cross Beach
Towards the south end of Plettenberg Bay, 5km of white sandy beaches stretch from the doorstep of Southern Cross. A scattering of marine visitors – like seals, dolphins and Southern right whales – can help make for an interesting beach holidays.
Chintheche Inn
The simple Chintheche Inn, owned and managed by Wilderness Safaris, is a relaxed beach lodge on the western shore of Lake Malawi, Africa's third-largest lake. This northern part of the Malawi lakeshore is green and lush, dotted with fishing villages and endless sandy beaches.
The Marine
With a great Blue Flag beach and quieter, secluded beaches in and around Hermanus, The Marine is a good base for a beach break in South Africa during the summer months of November to March.
Makokola Retreat
Makokola Retreat is a great holiday-spot for water-lovers. It offers many water-based activities, from diving and waterskiing, to parasailing and further extraordinary sports. Discover the underwater world of the fresh water lake on a snorkeling trip straight from the beach.
Rubondo Island Camp
Rubondo Island Camp has a delightful location in a sandy bay on Lake Victoria. Although the presence of hippos and crocodiles make the water unsafe for a dip, it would nonetheless work for a relaxing beach break in Tanzania.
Zoi Hotel
Located on a pretty beach, typical of Zanzibar’s east coast, Zoi Boutique Hotel is a good-value lodge which is colourful and vibrant. Away from the beach’s attractions, it has pleasant gardens and a relaxed lounge and cocktail bar.
White Sand Villas
Contemporary and luxurious, White Sand Villas sits on a beautiful coastline, ideal for a beach break in Zanzibar. Here you can enjoy a stroll along the beach and watch the kitesurfers skim across the waves – or join them!
Hotel L'Archipel
Hotel L'Archipel on the small cove of Anse Gouvernement, has a smart, French feel and an almost-private beach, making it superb for a beach holiday on the Seychelles. It’s also very close to the Anse Volbert Beach, with its beachfront restaurants and activity centres.
Benguerra Lodge
Benguerra Island’s pale, sandy beaches are beautiful and this old, established lodge can deliver a superb beach holiday – amongst the best bets after a Southern Africa safari.
Nuarro Mozambique
The yellow sand of Napula’s beaches and beautiful reef in front of the Lodge are ideal for activities on the beach and the water. Get ready for one of the best beaches in east Africa.
Bay Hotel
With a stunning sea front location, the Bay Hotel makes a superb base for a beach stay in Cape Town. It is also right on the door step for the numerous restaurants, bars and cafés of chic Camps Bay.
Domaine d'Orangeraie
For a beach holiday on the Seychelles, the modern and luxurious Le Domaine de l'Orangeraie is a very good option. Just a short bike ride away are many of La Digue's beaches, including Anse Source d'Argent – arguably one of the world's most beautiful beaches.
Periwinkle Guest Lodge
The Periwinkle is just across the road from the middle of a long stretch of the beach at Plattenberg Bay; it’s a great venue for a beach holiday. The Lodge extends to three levels, and has breathtaking views of the famous Robberg Peninsula, Tsitsikamma Mountains and the sea.
Xanadu Villas
Xanadu Villas exudes peace, tranquillity, and provides an idyllic setting for a romantic honeymoon on Zanzibar. Stroll along the beach, indulge in a massage, or enjoy a gourmet meal in the privacy of your own exquisite villa.
Denis Island Lodge
With long, stunning beaches, Denis Private Island is the perfect choice for those seeking a secluded beach holiday on the Seychelles. Each of the stylish cottages comes with its own private access to a lovely stretch of white sandy beach.
Hemingways Watamu
Hemingways is an internationally recognised game-fishing centre where you can try your luck hooking swordfish, marlin, sailfish and sharks. You can also go dolphin-watching, snorkel straight off the beach and go on BBQ and dhow trip to Sudi Island.
Twelve Apostles
With the wide expanse of Camps Bay beach only a ten-minute drive away from the Twelve Apostles Hotel, you are in an ideal position to relax and soak up the sun on a beach break in South Africa. The weather is best during the southern summer – between December and March.
North Island
North Island’s private villas are all close to one of four powdery white sand beaches here, lapped by the Indian Ocean’s clear, turquoise water. An amazing location, luxury, excellent service and food – certainly one of the best beach holidays in the Seychelles!
Four Seasons Desroches Island
Looking for the best escapist’s beach holiday in the Seychelles? Try Desroches Island. Throw a towel, mask and suncream into your bike's pannier and pedal to a perfect beach. There are 14km to choose from, and you can get a fabulous picnic hamper delivered.
Tulia Zanzibar
For a totally relaxing, luxury beach break, with excellent cuisine, Tulia Resort is hard to beat. The location is serene, the sea is often crystal clear for snorkelling and diving, and the pools and waterslides are fun.
Thanda Island
Thanda Private Island offers a stunning private island experience. If the sheer number of activities on offer here isn’t reason enough to come then the location certainly is. If you are travelling as a group consider this exclusive island for a beach holiday in Tanzania.
Beach holidays in Africa
Browse trip ideas by country.
Kenya
Sandy beaches, clear water, coconut palms casting shadows and tropical colours characterise beach ...
Malawi
The clear freshwater of Lake Malawi make it a perfect spot for unforgettable beach holidays in ...
Mozambique
With numerous white sandy beaches and clear blue reef waters, the coastline and the islands of ...
Seychelles
Are you looking for truly magical beach holidays in the Seychelles? Set right in the heart of the ...
South Africa
Whilst most come to South Africa's Cape for more than a beach holiday, many want a few relaxing ...
Tanzania
Tanzania offers some of east Africa's very best beaches, both on the mainland and on the islands ...
Zanzibar
Zanzibar provides some of the top destinations for beach holidays, with endless stretches of palm-fr...
Africa trips to appeal to many different interests
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Get an insight into Africa's cultures and history.
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Find captivating marine life beneath the waves
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Romantic safaris and castaway island retreats.
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Great holidays to suit the keen photographer.
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Enjoy Africa with just your friends & family
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Explore Africa's wilderness on horseback.
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Trip ideas ideally suited for a solo traveller.
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Explore Africa's most scenic trails on foot.
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Explore Africa's untouched wildernesses on foot.
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Wellness escapes in stunning locations
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These trips include hard-hitting game and fascinatingly elusive species alike, as well as superb guiding and a variety of diverse ecosystems.
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