From Zanzibar's spice-scented shores to Cape Town's dramatic coastline and the Seychelles' granite boulder beaches, Africa's coast is wildly underrated and endlessly diverse.
Tanzania
Spice-scented Stone Town, white sand beaches, and the crossroads of African and Arab culture.
South Africa
Table Mountain, penguin colonies, world-class wine, and some of Africa's most dramatic coastline.
Seychelles
Granite boulder beaches, giant tortoises, and the most unique coastline in the Indian Ocean.
Mauritius
Coral reefs, volcanic peaks, multicultural cuisine, and the 'underwater waterfall' illusion.
Morocco
Where the Sahara meets the Atlantic — surf towns, medinas, and windswept beaches.
Kenya
Kenya's Indian Ocean paradise with powder-white sand, coral reefs, and colobus monkeys in the palms.
Mozambique
Remote Mozambican beach town famous for whale sharks, manta rays, and barefoot backpacker culture.
Madagascar
Madagascar's tropical island escape with lemurs, vanilla plantations, and turquoise diving lagoons.
Sao Tome and Principe
Undiscovered volcanic islands in the Gulf of Guinea with jungle-draped peaks and deserted chocolate-sand beaches.
Kenya
Ancient Swahili trading port where donkeys replace cars and dhow sails catch the Indian Ocean breeze.
Sandy Bay near Cape Town and Mpenjati on the KwaZulu-Natal coast are South Africa's nude beaches. Neither has formal status in 2026: here is why, and what to expect.
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No. Morocco has no nude beaches: Article 483 of the Penal Code punishes deliberate public nudity with one month to two years in prison. Spain is an hour away by ferry.
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Beach-by-beach coverage of the three main Seychelles islands: Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue. Includes access details, swimming safety, restaurant picks, accommodation prices, and tips for visiting the Seychelles without overspending.
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A wind-sport rider's guide to the world's top kite and windsurf beaches: Tarifa, Dakhla, Leucate, Cabarete, Cumbuco, Langebaan, and Essaouira. Includes wind reliability data, lesson costs, gear rental prices, and when to book trips for maximum wind days.
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With 2,500 kilometers of Indian Ocean coast, whale shark diving in Tofo, and the untouched Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique is Africa's most underrated beach destination. Here's how to plan a trip.
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A detailed comparison of the Indian Ocean's three major beach destinations — Zanzibar for culture and budget, Seychelles for pristine natural beauty at premium prices, and Mauritius for polished resort variety — covering beaches, snorkeling, costs, and which island suits which type of traveler.
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Mauritius wraps its beaches in a coral reef lagoon that keeps the water calm and the snorkeling close to shore. Le Morne's mountain backdrop, Flic en Flac's local energy, Blue Bay's marine park, and the case for visiting in September.
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A guide to the Seychelles' best beaches — from the granite boulders of Anse Source d'Argent to the surf of Grand Anse, plus how to island-hop on a budget.
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