I Visited 7 West African Coastlines. Here Are My Rankings.

After spending years traveling across South America, Europe, and Asia during college and grad school, I made a conscious effort to explore more of my home region—West Africa. The region is blessed with stunning Atlantic coastlines, offering some of the most breathtaking sunsets I’ve ever witnessed. Over the past year, I visited seven West African countries, and as a change from my usual travel posts, I decided to rank them based on my experience.

I’m not going to pretend anything about these ratings is not entirely subjective. They are based on what I personally value: beach quality, ambiance, and uniqueness. One of the most important criteria was the accessibility and the maintenance of free beaches, as I strongly believe nature should be a public good. I selected one coastal city per country, even if I visited multiple locations. That said, my experience is limited to the specific beaches I explored, so take my rankings with a grain of salt. Now, without further ado, here’s my scorecard, ranked from lowest to highest.

Bissau, Guinea-Bissau: 1/10

Unfortunately, Bissau doesn’t have a beach—just a swampy coastline. The closest you’ll get to the Atlantic is the Port of Bissau, which, while bustling with colorful boats, is hardly an exciting waterfront. Unless you’re a fan of shipping containers, this one’s a miss. However, I thought it would be unfair to give Guinea Bissau a 1/10 without mentioning the Bijagós islands, so this is the only country where I’m going to rate two coastal destinations.

Bonus: Bijagós Islands, Guinea-Bissau: 8.5/10

I didn’t personally make it to the Bijagós Islands because they’re very difficult to visit. These remote islands boast pristine, craggy beaches that are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. My Portuguese Airbnb host in Bissau said they were cooler than the ones in his home country and a German couple I met at a restaurant who had just returned from the islands compared them to the Seychelles. However, accessibility is a major issue—getting there involves either an exorbitantly pricey speedboat or a once-a-week, five-hour ferry ride. The effort required to visit knocks off some points, but the reward is lush, untouched beauty, plus the chance to see tons of hippos and sea turtles. I’m definitely making my way back to experience this firsthand!

Lagos, Nigeria: 5.5/10

I’m prepared for backlash from my fellow Nigerians—haha! But the reality is, Lagos got the short end of the stick in West Africa when it comes to accessible coastlines. While there are several picturesque beaches, none are free. Remove the waterfront clubs and venues, and what’s left is a mix of subpar, often poorly maintained shores. Some exceptions, like Tarkwa Bay, offer a decent experience with fun activities and entry at a very affordable price (still not free though), but they require a boat ride to access. And be prepared for constant hustling!

Lomé, Togo: 6.75/10

Lomé’s coastline feels like an upgraded version of Lagos’. The free beaches are relatively clean and well-kept, though they could still use some work with regards to trash maintenance. The farther east you go from the city, the better the beaches get, but many of these are taken over by hotels and resorts, making public access a grey area. Although I loved the shifting shades of yellow sand, the coastline overall wasn’t particularly memorable compared to others on this list.

Saint Louis, Senegal: 6.75/10

Saint-Louis scores major points for uniqueness. While most of its coastline isn’t made up of beaches, Hydrobase Beach is a pretty, public white-sand option—though it could use better trash maintenance. What truly sets Saint-Louis apart is its vibrant fishing culture. Watching fishermen sing folk songs as they load their boats is an unforgettable experience. The coastline is a sea of colorful, traditionally crafted boats, many flying flags from multiple countries—like a mini United Nations! Another highlight? You can literally stand at the border between Senegal and Mauritania on the beach!

I also visited Dakar and Saly, which have stunning beaches, but I wanted to diversify my picks on this post since these are more conventional vacation spots. Senegal also has more incredible coastlines, particularly in the Casamance region, which I know would rank even higher.

Cape Coast / Elmina, Ghana: 7/10

Cape Coast and Elmina gifted me with some of the most spectacular sunsets I’ve ever seen. What makes this coastline stand out is its deep historical significance—Elmina Castle, one of my top experiences in Ghana, sits right along the shore. The beaches themselves aren’t the best compared to other West African destinations, but they are free, accessible, and relatively well-maintained. It also got bonus points for the delicious and affordable street food—and I don’t even mean the seafood. I had some of the best avocados I’ve ever had for a few cents. I’d come back here just to eat those again.

Cotonou, Benin: 8.5/10

Cotonou’s public beaches are top-tier—clean, easily-accessible, and, best of all, free! Several beaches also have tons of palm trees planted in strategic locations to provide beachgoers with natural shade. You can tell that whatever local authority oversees the maintenance really cares about offering the coastline as a public good. Moreover, the vast, desert-like stretches of sand in some of the beaches were a unique landscape I hadn’t seen in other West African countries. The massive wooden fishing boats also added character to the coastline. Honestly, I have no complaints. If there were more variety between the types of beaches in the city, this could easily be a 10.

Serekunda, Gambia: 9.5/10

Serekunda takes the crown! The city offers a fantastic variety of public beaches that are clean, accessible, and free. Each beach has a distinct character, making the coastline feel diverse despite the city’s small size. Kololi and Kotu Beach feature white sand and attract a lively crowd, as they are lined with waterfront hotels and restaurants. Fortunately, unlike many other destinations, the hotels are set back from the beach, allowing ample space for everyone to enjoy the shore. Plus, they’re beside Bijilo Monkey Park.

My personal favorite was Fajara Beach. The unique blend of yellow, black, and white sand, framed by red hills in the background, made for an unforgettable sight. This beach was alive with activity—children riding bikes, teenagers playing soccer, old men fishing, and families enjoying picnics and swimming. It was one of the few places where the local community and visitors blended seamlessly in a truly vibrant, authentic way.

To top it all off, Serekunda offered my favorite West African sunset. Watching the sun dip below the horizon, over the dark sand at Fajara Beach is pure magic. It’s no surprise that this coastline ranks highest on my list.

Final Thoughts

West Africa’s coastline is as diverse as the region itself, and these rankings are, of course, entirely subjective. Many of these countries also have other stunning coastal towns I left out or didn’t get to visit. That said, I hope this list gives you a glimpse into the beauty and variety of West African shorelines. Whether you’re looking for pristine, untouched beaches, vibrant cultural experiences, or breathtaking sunsets, there’s a coastal destination in West Africa for you. Have you visited any of these spots? Let me know your thoughts!