Beach holidays

Discover Africa's coast & Indian Ocean islands

If you're looking for sun-kissed Africa beach holidays beneath a cloudless sky, then head to the east coast of Africa where the Indian Ocean meets Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique along with their tropical islands.

Whether you prefer a luxury resort or remote lodge, a private spot on a white-sand island or being close to the high life, we can help find your perfect African beach getaway. And if you want to do more than simply relax, there's a fascinating blend of cultures, vibrant marine life and adventure activities to experience.

If you want a short beach holiday after a safari in southern Africa, then you might want to consider the freshwater beach holidays beside Lake Malawi. You’ll be surprised by how good the snorkelling opportunities can be so far from any ocean.

For a more offbeat choice, anglers might brave the cold of the Namibian coast, the Skeleton Coast, for a holiday of outstanding fishing.

Our top ideas for beach holidays in Africa

A few days on a beautiful beach with a focus on adventure or pure relaxation, staying in simple castaway lodge, luxurious hotels or on world-class private islands. Talk to us.

Clove Beach Holiday

5 days • 1 location
DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT

An idyllic beach retreat tucked away at an isolated, sandy cove, this great-value beach holiday is a great place to rest up after an active safari and reflect on your wildlife experiences.

US$1,250 - US$1,450 per person

Pongwe Beach Hotel

Pongwe has one of the best beaches we have ever seen in Zanzibar. When the tide is high, Pongwe sits in a private cove. Then when it goes out, a wonderful stretch of inter-tidal zone is revealed for walking and exploring.

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Black Pepper Beach Holiday

7 days • 1 location
DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT

Beautiful sunsets, excellent diving opportunities and utter relaxation await you at Pemba Island’s Fundu Lagoon. Enjoy a remote beach experience with varied activities on a quiet stretch of tropical island.

US$2,300 - US$3,510 per person

Fundu Lagoon

Fundu Lagoon organises day trips by boat to Misali Island, which has some of the best beaches around Tanzania's Pemba Island. You can scuba dive here, snorkel, or just relax and enjoy a great beach holiday.

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Lemon Grass Beach Holiday

6 days • 2 locations
DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT

Enjoy undisturbed leisure at the Mafia Archipalego’s lesser-visited Chole and Mafia Islands. Two charming, elegant lodges provide opportunity for total relaxation as well as a range of activities.

US$2,040 - US$2,660 per person

Pole Pole

For a beach holiday, it is more limited than Zanzibar. However, Pole Pole has one of the island’s better beaches. Casting off, some of Mafia’s best beaches are found on remote sandbars in the bay: stunning small beaches with a 360° view of the ocean reached on a dhow trip.

Chole Mjini

The best beaches near Chole Mjini are on isolated sandbars, uncovered by the tide and surrounded by coral reefs of the Indian Ocean. Beaches don't come more magical, untouched or remote than this, making it one of the best beach experiences in Tanzania today.

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Benguerra Beach Holiday

6 days • 1 location
VILANCULOS AIRPORT TO VILANCULOS AIRPORT

This luxurious lodge offers a fantastic blend of total relaxation and more active pursuits. Explore your idyllic surroundings with a range of land and water-based activities before unwinding with a massage and sundowner drinks on the beach.

US$5,670 - US$5,670 per person

Benguerra Lodge

Benguerra Island’s pale, sandy beaches are beautiful and this old, established lodge can deliver a superb beach holiday – amongst the best bets after a Southern Africa safari.

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Azura Beach Holiday

6 days • 1 location
VILANCULOS AIRPORT TO VILANCULOS AIRPORT

Stay in a stunning location on the western coastline of Benguerra Island. Elegant accommodation, a highly personalised level of care and a wide range of land and water-based activities make Azura a fantastic destination for travellers.

US$4,920 - US$5,770 per person

Azura Benguerra

The beaches on Benguerra Island are beautiful: fine sand sprinkled with thousands of shells. Tidal variations are considerable – at low tide it may be a couple of kilometres to the sea!

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Dragonfish Island Holiday

4 days • 1 location
MAHÉ AIRPORT TO MAHÉ AIRPORT

Indulge yourself at one of the most exclusive retreats in the world. Fabulously luxurious yet incredibly laidback, there’s nowhere quite like North Island.

US$26,920 - US$30,700 per person

North Island

North Island’s private villas are all close to one of four powdery white sand beaches here, lapped by the Indian Ocean’s clear, turquoise water. An amazing location, luxury, excellent service and food – certainly one of the best beach holidays in the Seychelles!

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Caraway Beach Holiday

5 days • 1 location
DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT

The epitome of a peaceful beach retreat, the Caraway Beach Holiday offers relaxation on flawless beaches and the opportunity to explore beautiful waters. Stay in the island’s only lodge and enjoy complete exclusivity.

US$2,510 - US$3,070 per person

Fanjove Lodge

Fanjove’s untouched beaches and exposed sand banks at low tide make it a beautiful spot to relax.

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Peacock Cichlid Safari

4 days • 1 location
LILONGWE AIRPORT TO LILONGWE AIRPORT

Snorkel in Lake Malawi’s famously clear fresh water, relax on the beach and explore Likoma Island from the award-winning Kaya Mawa. A chilled luxury add-on to end your safari.

US$2,020 - US$2,670 per person

Kaya Mawa

The waters of Lake Malawi are implausibly clear, great for diving and especially snorkeling – which you can do straight from the golden beach of Kaya Mawa. This is one of our best spots for a relaxing beach holiday on the lake, and in a surprisingly remote place.

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Damselfish island holiday

5 days • 1 location
MAHÉ AIRPORT TO MAHÉ AIRPORT

Laid-back luxury on the private Denis Island. Surrounded by protected waters with commendable focus on sustainability, this is perfect spot to disconnect from the world after a safari.

US$3,740 - US$4,760 per person

Denis Island Lodge

With long, stunning beaches, Denis Private Island is the perfect choice for those seeking a secluded beach holiday on the Seychelles. Each of the stylish cottages comes with its own private access to a lovely stretch of white sandy beach.

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Triggerfish island holiday

4 days • 1 location
MAHÉ AIRPORT TO MAHÉ AIRPORT

Desroches is beautifully rugged and remote island atoll with stunning villas, slick Four Seasons service and exciting array of adventures above and below the waves.

US$3,410 - US$6,480 per person

Four Seasons Desroches Island

Looking for the best escapist’s beach holiday in the Seychelles? Try Desroches Island. Throw a towel, mask and suncream into your bike's pannier and pedal to a perfect beach. There are 14km to choose from, and you can get a fabulous picnic hamper delivered.

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