With so much open coastline, and so many wide-open spaces, beach vacations in Africa are as diverse as the wildlife that draws the most adventurous and discerning travelers. Beaches in Africa range from untouched powdered white sand with calm turquoise waves lapping the shore to wild, clean, untouched beaches with big surf and some of the world's finest dive spots, and on to trendy beaches with seaside restaurants and bars in its cities.
A beach vacation in paradise is the ultimate way to escape a busy life, and there are plenty of pristine stretches of untouched beach to choose from for your vacation in Africa. For the softest white sand head to Zanzibar's North or East Coasts, or discover the many tiny islands dotted along Mozambique's stunning Quirimbas archipelago. For those looking to fall off the map entirely, an African beach vacation on the exclusive North Island in the spectacular Seychelles is sure to delight your soul.
Although there is plenty of nothing to be done on your dream beach vacation, African beach vacations offer wonderful opportunities to discover more about the local cultures and cuisines. Be sure to try some of the fresh fish served right off the beach in southern Mozambique, learn about the strange geological formations in Mauritius, or explore some of the beaches in South Africa’s KwaZulu Natal.
Families will be delighted by Africa's beach vacations, filled with kid's clubs and ocean adventures, but then sprinkled with decadent luxury for the whole family to reap the rewards and completely unwind. In our view, South Africa offers the most variety for active families, particularly along the Garden Route and KwaZulu Natal coastlines where there are plenty of local tours and outdoor activities to explore. Mauritius is an excellent choice for families looking to spend more downtime on the beach or enjoying the wide range of complimentary water sports offered at the island's top beach resorts. With spectacular scenery and many top-notch beach resorts to choose from, families of all ages are well catered for when designing your dream beach vacation in Africa.
When it comes to glamorous cities, Cape Town is in a league of its own. The city completely embraces beauty, with luxury beach villas and private mansions lining pristine coastlines no further than a stone's throw from some of the country's best bars and restaurants, surrounded by the endless array of cultural attractions, beneath the spectacular presence of the iconic Table Mountain and the twelve apostles. From Cape Town, take a road trip along the famed Garden Route to discover the luxury lifestyle and slower pace of local life as you make your way from town to town playing golf, eating oysters, watching polo and indulging in decadent spa treatments to round off your perfect African beach vacation.
All of our beach vacations in Africa are wonderfully relaxing and can be an ideal vacation in their own right, but your trip to Africa may not be complete without spending at least a few days on safari. Take a look at some of our enticing beach vacations below, as well as some of our exciting beach and safari combination vacations to get a better understanding of how you could get the most out of your trip.