Islands & Beaches in Africa

This spice-scented cluster of Tanzanian islands pairs long, blinding white beaches and turquoise shallows with a deep and fascinating Swahili culture. Days drift easily between snorkelling over vivid coral reefs, sailing traditional wooden dhows at sunset and getting lost in the lanes of historic Stone Town.

Scattered granite and coral islands in the warm Indian Ocean cradle some of the entire planet’s most photographed beaches, framed by sculpted pink boulders and leaning palms. Rare endemic wildlife, giant tortoises and world-class diving make this luminous archipelago an enduring byword for tropical luxury.

A lush volcanic island ringed by coral lagoons and rippling sugar-cane fields offers powder beaches, polished resorts and a warm cultural blend of African, Indian, Chinese and French influence. Inland waterfalls, hiking trails and genuinely superb food round out a classic and popular honeymoon escape.

Kenya’s most celebrated stretch of coast unfurls in shimmering kilometres of blinding white sand lapped by warm, impossibly clear water. A protective reef just offshore tames the ocean swell, creating ideal conditions for snorkelling, kitesurfing and blissfully lazy days beneath the palms south of Mombasa.

The undisputed jewel of a Mozambican marine park, this island rises in tall golden dunes above translucent seas teeming with dugongs, turtles and dazzling reef fish. Barefoot luxury lodges, sunset dhow safaris and superb diving make it a wonderfully remote and exclusive Indian Ocean idyll.

The oldest continuously living Swahili settlement drifts along on donkey power and dhow sails, its coral-stone old town a maze of carved doors and breezy rooftop terraces. Long fringing beaches nearby and a slow, timeless rhythm make this atmospheric Kenyan island a place to genuinely unwind.

This sun-drenched Atlantic archipelago off West Africa mixes stark volcanic drama with endless golden beaches and an infectious Creole music culture. Reliable trade winds draw kitesurfers and windsurfers from around the world, while quieter islands offer hiking, nesting turtles and a wonderfully laid-back, unhurried pace.

The Seychelles’ lush second island shelters a primeval palm forest that produces the famous, suggestively shaped double coconut, and beaches often ranked among the very finest anywhere on Earth. Warm, glassy turquoise water and easy boat hops to nearby islets make it a beach-hopping paradise.

Madagascar’s premier island retreat wraps forested volcanic hills and fragrant ylang-ylang plantations in a warm, perfumed embrace. Its calm beaches, colourful offshore reefs and seasonal whale sharks provide a wonderfully relaxed gateway to the extraordinary wildlife wonders of the world’s fourth-largest island.

Time slows almost to a standstill on this tiny Seychelles island, where ox-carts and bicycles far outnumber the handful of cars. Its signature beach, framed by dramatic pink-tinged granite boulders and leaning palms, ranks among the most photographed on Earth, and the whole island feels gloriously unhurried.

A cluster of sheltered bays and coral gardens on the Kenyan coast forms part of a protected marine park richly populated with turtles and reef fish. Powder-soft white beaches, glassy tidal pools and world-class diving sit invitingly beside tangled mangrove creeks and evocative ancient Swahili ruins.

This laid-back Mozambican beach town has become a global mecca for divers, thanks to resident whale sharks and giant manta rays gliding gracefully just offshore. Wide, dune-backed sands, superb fresh seafood and an irresistibly easygoing surf-town vibe keep travellers lingering far longer than they ever planned.

Flat, sun-baked and generously ringed by superb beaches, this Cape Verdean island is the archipelago’s most popular, built almost entirely for windsurfing, kitesurfing and blissful unwinding. Glittering salt pans, turtle-nesting sands and famously steady trade winds all define its breezy, cheerful and resort-friendly charm.

A sun-drenched island off southern Tunisia blends soft, shallow Mediterranean beaches with whitewashed villages, ancient synagogues and a mellow, palm-fringed calm. Long warm-water shores and a distinctive multicultural heritage of Berber, Arab and Jewish traditions make it a relaxed and rewarding North African getaway.

A dramatic French volcanic island in the Indian Ocean pairs black-sand beaches and sheltered coral lagoons with soaring peaks and lush hiking-trail cirques inland. Adrenaline adventure and easy beach life meet here amid some of the entire region’s most jaw-dropping and cinematic mountain scenery.

The lush, hilly and gloriously off-the-beaten-track sister of Zanzibar remains cloaked in fragrant clove plantations and ringed by pristine, rarely dived reefs. Its steep coral drop-offs and vibrant marine life make it one of the whole Indian Ocean’s finest and least crowded diving destinations.

The lively beach heart of Sal draws sun-seekers to a long, dazzling ribbon of golden sand and warm, clear Atlantic water. Colourful wooden fishing boats, ideal breezy conditions for watersports and a cheerful little town give this popular Cape Verdean resort its relaxed, easygoing appeal.

Kenya’s historic coastal city fuses an atmospheric Swahili old town and a mighty Portuguese fort with a string of resort-lined beaches stretching north and south. Palm-shaded white sands, coral reefs and a rich, centuries-old cultural mix make it a natural and rewarding gateway to the entire coast.