Beaches & Islands

Africa's beaches come in far more flavors than most travelers expect. Some are about pure relaxation; others come with superb diving, Swahili history or mountain hikes just behind the sand. The right choice depends on the season, your style and whether the beach is the whole trip or the finale to a safari.

The Indian Ocean

Zanzibar is the classic safari-and-beach pairing, with white sand, dhows and the UNESCO-listed old quarter of Stone Town, just a short flight from the Serengeti. Mauritius offers lagoons protected by a coral reef, excellent resorts and villas, and a fascinating multicultural island life, with a wilder, more adventurous side around Le Morne.

Seychelles is the most exclusive of the three, its granite boulders and palm-fringed coves on islands such as La Digue making it a honeymoon favorite. On the mainland, Kenya's Diani and Watamu beaches round off a safari beautifully.

The Atlantic and the Mediterranean

Cabo Verde, still widely known as Cape Verde, brings year-round sunshine within easy reach of Europe, with Sal for beaches and kitesurfing and greener islands for hiking. Tunisia's Djerba and Morocco's Atlantic coast combine beaches with culture, and South Africa's coastline, from the Garden Route to Cape Town's Atlantic seaboard, suits road-trippers and whale watchers.

Timing your beach time

Every coast has its seasons. Trade winds, monsoon rains and cyclone seasons vary from one island to the next, and the calmest side of an island in one month can be the windiest in another. We'll match your dates to the right island, and to the right coast of that island, so the water is calm when you want to swim and breezy when you want to kite.

How we plan your beach escape

We choose the hotel style that fits you, whether boutique, barefoot, family-friendly or ultra-private, arrange every transfer and suggest experiences from snorkeling and sunset sailing to spa days and island hopping. Take inspiration from our Mauritius Island Romance and Seychelles Island Hopping journeys, then let us tailor the dates, hotels and pace around you.