The first thing that comes to mind when you hear Africa is probably bush safaris. However, Africa has more to offer than just safaris. Africa’s coastline covers the Indian ocean to the east, Atlantic ocean to the west, Mediterranean to the north and the red sea to the north east. These coastlines boast some of the best beaches in Africa with crystal clear waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling
Whether you’re a surfer, scuba diver, or just want to relax at the beach, you can rest assured that there is a beach somewhere in Africa perfect for you.
So, which beaches in Africa have the clearest waters? Read on to discover some hidden gems that you need to add to your bucket list.
Before we go into detail, here’s a summary of the best beaches in Africa with the clearest waters;
- Watamu Beach, Kenya
- Nungwi Beach, Zanzibar
- Sodwana Bay, South Africa
- Clifton Beaches, Cape Town
- Buffalo Bay Beach, South Africa
- Anse Lazio Beach, Seychelles
- Le Morne Beach, Mauritius
- Pemba Island, Tanzania
- Anakao Beach, Madagascar
- Mnemba Island, Tanzania
- Anse Source D’Argent, Seychelles
- Trou aux Biches, Mauritius
- Mafia Island, Tanzania
- Diani Beach, Kenya
- Belle Mare, Mauritius
Watamu Beaches, Kenya
Watamu is a small town 65 miles north of Mombasa and about 10 miles from Malindi town. The town’s shoreline consists of turtle bay, watamu bay, blue lagoon bay, ocean breeze, garoda beach and jacaranda beach. They are all part of Watamu Marine national park.
The marine park is rated as one one the best beaches in Africa for deep sea diving and snorkelling. All this is made possible because of its crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches.
Nungwi Beach, Zanzibar
Nungwi beach in Zanzibar is considered by most travellers to be the best beach in Zanzibar. It is located in Nungwi village and boasts of white sandy beaches and pristine waters. The beach also features great views of the indian ocean which allows visitors to enjoy morning or evening walks along the shorelines.
The cool evening breeze makes for a perfect sundowner by the beach. The best time to visit Nungwi is from July to March. It is usually hot and humid so sunscreen is a must to avoid sun burns.
Sodwana Bay, South Africa
Another must visit beach in Africa is Sodwana Bay. It is located in the north eastern part of South Africa in the province of KwaZulu Natal. The Sodwana Bay National park located in the same area consists of sand dunes and natural forests.
It is famous for whale watching, dolphins watching, deep sea diving, snorkelling, turtle tours and more.
Clifton Beaches, Cape Town
The Clifton beaches comprice of Clifton 1-4. They are located along the Atlantic coastline in Capetown, South Africa. Unlike their counterparts along the Indian Ocean, Clifton beach waters are colder. Despite that, they are famous with surfers and deep sea divers.
Buffalo Bay Beach, South Africa
Buffalo bay beach is synonymous with white sandy beaches and crystal clear water. In addition to that, the beach is family friendly, safe for swimming and surfing, and great for beach walking.
If you are into whale watching, then Buffalo bay beach is the perfect spot for land based whale watching.
Anse Lazio Beach, Seychelles
Anse Lazio beach is located on Praslin Island in Seychelles. Many travellers consider Anse Lazio to be the best beach on Praslin Island. Being in the middle of the Indian Ocean makes the waters along the beach warm, and crystal clear.
If you’re planning a trip to Seychelles, Anse Lazio should be one of the beaches you must visit before your stay comes to an end.
Le Morne Beach, Mauritius
Le Morne Beach is located on the west coast of Mauritius at the foot of the Morne Brabant mountains. The beach has miles of sandy beaches and casuarina trees which line the beach. The crystal clear waters of Le Morne Beach make it perfect for scuba diving. The winds blowing from the mountain also make the beach perfect for kitesurfing.
Pemba Island, Tanzania
Pemba Island is located off the coast of Tanzania in East Africa. It is part of Tanzania’s Zanzibar Archipelago. Due to its remoteness, pemba is largely undiscovered which means that it is less crowded and its habitat is well preserved.
The white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters make the island perfect for surfers, scuba divers, and leisure travellers.
Anakao Beaches, Madagascar
Anakao is a small fishing town in Madagascar. The small town boasts of some of the best beaches in Madagascar and Africa at large. The beaches in Anakao are characterised by white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. Additionally, Anakao is home to hundreds of bird species making it perfect for bird watchers as well.
Mnemba Island, Tanzania
Mnemba Island is located about 2 miles off the coast of Ugunja which is the largest Island in the Zanzibar Archipelago. The Island is partly owned by andBeyond which operates luxury lodges and camps across Africa.
The beaches on the island are exclusive making it perfect for couples on honeymoon. Additionally, the warm crystal clear waters of the Indian ocean make it a perfect destination for travellers who enjoy swimming, scuba diving and surfing.
Anse Source D’Argent, Seychelles
Anse Source D’Argent is located on the west coast of La Digue Island in the Seychelles. The beach is world famous for being one of the most photographed beaches in the world. This is no small feat and it’s for good reason. The white sandy beaches and clear waters make it a popular destination among locals and international tourists.
To avoid the crowds, it is advisable to go to the beach early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
Trou aux Biches Beach, Mauritius
Trou aux Biches is a small coastal town in the district of Pamplemousses, Mauritius. The World Travel Group considers Trou aux Biches beach to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Mauritius.
The beach is lined with palm trees making it ideal for vacationers. Additionally, it is one of the beaches with clear turquoise waters perfect for snorkelling and surfing.
Mafia Island, Tanzania
Located off the coast of Tanzania, Mafia Island is one of the most beautiful beaches in Africa. It is part of Tanzania’s Mafia Archipelago meaning it is a protected site. The beaches along the island are world renowned for their white sandy beaches and clear water.
Diani Beach, Kenya
Diani beach is located about 30km south of Mombasa City in Kenya. It has been voted as Africa’s most prominent beach destination 5 years in a row. Diani beach boasts white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and one of the best beaches in Africa to swim with dolphins. Due to its popularity, the beach consists of numerous 5 star beach resorts.
Belle Mare Beach, Mauritius
Belle Mare beach is located near Mahebourg in Mauritius. The beach is famous for having miles of coastline covered by white sands. It is relatively uncrowded compared to other beaches in Mauritius and its lagoons are perfect for snorkelling.
Conclusion
Africa is considered by most people the last frontier. It has a lot to offer those who are brave enough to make the journey. Africa’s beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world with warm waters, white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters.
If you are planning a beach holiday, Africa should be on top of your list. We can assure you that the breathtaking beaches will be worth it.
