Africa’s coastline covers over 30,500 kilometers (18,950 miles) and this comes with a variety of breathtakingly beautiful African islands that are a key tourist destination. It might come to be a bit of a problem for many holidaymakers to select the perfect island in Africa where they can enjoy their vacation since there are numerous seashores on the coastline.
The beaches vary from the beautiful isles of Mauritius as well as Seychelles to the rocky beauty of South Africa’s wild coast also not overlooking the wonderful seashores on Lake Victoria the biggest freshwater lake on the mainland discovered in Uganda.
When speaking of an African vacation, maximum folk will possibly guess of a safari trip, a stay at a historical Egyptian monument, or probably a tour to Cape Town or Marrakesh. Yet, Africa also has a few wonderful islands lying off its shores.
Madagascar, the 4th largest island in the world is the obvious one but some smaller islands are worth a trip. These African islands have an interesting past, rare wildlife, and seashores that effortlessly rival those of the Caribbean.
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Top 10 African Islands
Without further fuss, here is your guide to a few of the most lovely getaways of African islands that you must travel to at least one time in your lifetime.
1. Cape Verde Islands
Located in the North Atlantic Ocean, Cape Verde is one of the excellent getaways among all the African island nations. Due west of Dakar, this region is made up of 10 unique African islands.
And Sal is certainly the most visited destination on the island. Besides, Sal is also considered one of the 10 most beautiful islands in Africa. Acquiring a prominent part of the West African island’s map, this place is a must-visit for tourists who wish to blend into the vivid African culture on their visit.
The word ‘Sal’ means salt in the Portuguese dialect justifies its title for the white sprawling sandy shores. Sal has risen in popularity as compared to the other islands in Africa due to its easy accessibility and convenience.
Santa Maria, which is the main town on the beautiful island of Sal, is embellished with beautiful pastel-colored houses. There are moreover various choices for bars, cafes, live events, and melody. The nightlife of Sal is yet glorious and full of power. Cape Verde is one of the most suitable isles in Africa for newly married couples.
2. São Tomé and Príncipe
São Tomé Island is the biggest and the most well-known isle in São Tomé and Príncipe. Many of the people living here speak the Portuguese language.
Situated off the west coast of Central Africa, this African island is popular among tourists for its opportunities for adventurous sports. Those who want to feel the adrenaline rush can dive into the blue waters of the Indian Ocean and go snorkeling.
Besides that, for all the nature lovers exploring the quaint and sleepy village of fishers and sitting for bird-watching in their free time; is something that you wouldn’t like to miss out on! The other activity choices include trying some of the world’s best coffee and chocolates.
So, if you are longing for new horizons and fresh surroundings, you should visit this island in Africa with your loved ones. São Tomé and Príncipe is an incredible Lost World.
3. Seychelles
Seychelles is a republic African island nation of about 155 distinct islands. I say ‘about’ as the tinier isles have been noticed to come and go, soaring and plunging on the whims of waves and tectonic fluctuations. But there’s no need to worry about joining the denizens of the lost city of Atlantis: Seychelles’ largest islands of Mahe, La Digue, and Praslin are as stable as they are ravishingly beautiful.
This is certainly one of the African islands where you can spot whirling granite boulders, white sand, twists of tropical jungle, and an ocean that’s as clear as azure stained glass, easily forming a nostalgic tropical escape.
You may consider it a hardship to have to stay at only one of these beauties but you needn’t choose (like children, you can’t have a favorite). In this case, more is more and ‘island hopping ’ – spending a few days on one before sailing or flying off to another – is the way to go.
4. Comoros
Comoros is an off-beat goal dwelling off the east coast of Africa. The lovers of peace and calmness will be very satisfied with Comoros, one of the most important East African island countries. Comoros also boasts pristine beaches, amazing reefs for snorkelers, rich rainforests, and a fantastic blend of Swahili and Arabic culture.
Mohéli, also called Mwali, is the smallest of the major three African islands which form the nation of Comoros. Mohéli is wild and less crowded. Mohéli Marine Park is the sole national sanctuary in Comoros. Mohéli, yet known as the nature isle, values ecotourism. Here, tourists can snorkel with the turtles and equatorial fish that live along the coral reef. Whales and dolphins also regularly visit these shores. The island in Africa is, however, far off the visitor circuit, so it’s precise for those looking to flee the populace. The wonderful community and the pureness and freshness of Mohéli will certainly fascinate you
5. Madagascar
Nosy Be, the largest African island of the archipelago, is a premier destination in Madagascar. However a tiny isle, it has already fascinated many tourists from all across the planet. The East African island blueprint will direct you through Madagascar which is located off the coast of Mozambique.
Madagascar is also considered to be the world’s fourth-largest island which offers a plethora of unique collections of flora and fauna. It is assumed that nearly 90% of the whole wildlife of Madagascar is found nowhere else on the Globe.
Nosy Be is the ideal place to wind up a wild trip through Madagascar, seeking out the popular lemurs, fossa, and chameleons. The volcanic island is just 8km/5mi off the northwest coast of Madagascar and is the nation’s most famous seaside hotel. Inland, you’ll discover vanilla farms and basin lakes. There are costly cafes, inns, and stores too in the city of Nosy Be by the Indian Ocean.
The new isle despite so many movements still sustains its calmness, clear turquoise waters, and peace. The cafes serve mouth-watering food that is worth bingeing on.
6. Mauritius
An island flaring with color, Mauritius is so much more than a seashore destination. With vibrant, leafy rainforests, craggy cliffs, silvery waterfalls, and a distinct and delightful foodie scene, there’s a ton to admire when you’ve had your fill of seashore time. This is one of those African islands with moreover the nicest niches in the world for windsurfing and kitesurfing.
The Republic of Mauritius is an archipelago with the isles of Mauritius, Rodriguez, St. Brandon, and Agaléga. Mauritius is a cultural melting pot of African, European, and Indian significance. Mauritius is one of the largely chosen isles for honeymooners.
Mauritius has numerous choices of African isle shore resorts and startling shores. It is also a world-class area for activities like deep-sea fishing and scuba diving. The isles deep within clasp an environment of multiple mammals, birds, and plant species.
7. Zanzibar Island, Tanzania
Island heaven where various communities combine harmoniously, where the air is redolent with the intoxicating smell of flavors blended with the sea spray – Zanzibar is the ideal location to head for your African islands tour after you have explored the wildlife and ancestral surprises of the Serengeti and Mount Kilimanjaro on the African landmass
Created in the northwestern fraction of Zanzibar, on what is arguably the most wonderful strip of sand on the isle, Zuri Hotel is every coast lover’s fantasy. Spotlighting modern African design, this sloping eco-conscious estate boasts lush spice grasslands punctuated by palms, baobabs, and shrubs, directing to the smooth white sands of Kendwa Beach.
You can devour your days coddled in swinging daybeds and hammocks, with the cozy tropical wind calming you to sleep. The infinity pool terrace tempts you for an icy dip on a balmy afternoon. Unaffected by waves, the turquoise waters of Kendwa offer you a glance at the bright marine life around the isle. And what better strategy to cease your day than with a romantic candlelight dinner on the beach, African islands as the tides gently wash around your feet?
8. Fanjove Island SongoSongo Archipelago, Tanzania
Channelize your inner Robinson Crusoe during this holiday on an isle whose appeal lies in only how unrestricted it is from the trappings of improvement. The Songo Songo Archipelago is an African island nation of five small isles encircled by coral reefs. Simply one – Fanjove isle gives housing. Extensively like its surroundings, Fanjove Island Lodge is all about revealing glamour in the remoteness of its set in.
The Lodge can accommodate only a few visitors at a time and has barely six bands. They have been constructed to resemble dhows or sailboats, a prominent mode of transport in the area. In deference to the beautiful ecosystem that it is a portion of, the hotel runs completely on solar energy, and the bands are constructed completely out of biological elements such as palm leaves and timber.
The pleasant crashing of the ocean tides will surround you as you are gently calmed to sleep, and a spectacular sunrise over crystal clear waters greets you as you rise. You can use up your day on your African island journey exploring the region for relaxation, relishing the harmony and solitude that is all yours to tang. Cheer a place for kayaking, and the miracle of the stunning aquatic world – a biological reef with aquatic crests, cabbage coral grasslands, butterflyfish, angelfish, damselfish, and further – as you snorkel and scuba dive. Cease your day with a sundowner as you glide across the ocean waters on a stiff dhow.
9. Seal Island
There are many Seal colonies all along the coastline of Southern African islands which provides a never-ending list of opportunities to enjoy seal trips. Enjoy the marine life on Seal Island and soak in the beauty of the seascape.
The South African coastline offers a gorgeous crystal blue Indian Ocean and glistening golden beaches. Near Cape Town, you can travel to one of the seal islands to glimpse the numerous differences between African seals. The most famous ones are the Cape Fur seals.
10. Lamu Island
Lamu Island in the Lamu Archipelago of Kenya is recognized for its unusual Old Town, the central city square on Lamu Island. Separated from being one of the ancient and best-protected Swahili territories in East Africa, the Lamu Old Town bears distinctive characteristics.
This African island is one of the ancient Swahili territories in East Africa. Just off the shore of Kenya, it’s a peaceful isle, independent of automobiles and enclosed by the Indian Ocean. Past lovers should spend some time in Lamu Town, which is full of historical Swahili architecture, with houses made of mangrove wood and coral rock, and enormous, carved stiff entrances.
The city is mainly made out of coral rock and mangrove wood and the cottages here have internal enclosures, porches, and intricately built rigid entrances. Another fascinating truth that gives rise to this interesting area on the blueprint of the East African isle is that there are no streets on the isle, so you’ll barely even find any automobiles here. There are barely a set of alleyways and walking paths here.
One would wonder why of all places travel down to Africa for a beach holiday, well unique about Africa is that besides having a very long coastline, it is surrounded by several major water masses including the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea which offers a very unique and beautiful underwater world that is worth a visit, and the springs are at a very satisfactory temperature which is Ideal for diving or swimming.
An African island trip is a perfect island to unwind and enjoy an enchanting connection with nature!
There are so many stunningly beautiful African islands out there to choose from which made it very hard to narrow this list down to only 10 inspirations.
FAQs
What is Africa’s largest island?
Africa’s biggest island is located in the Indian Ocean, about 420 km (260 miles) east of the shore of Mozambique.
Located off the southeast shore of Africa. Having developed in isolation, this African island nation is famed for its distinctive wildlife. Traditionally, the Malagasy economy has been established on the cultivation of paddy rice, coffee, vanilla, and cloves.
Where is the most beautiful island in Africa?
Madagascar is certainly the most beautiful African island. Arguably Africa’s most famous, most beautiful island and certainly its largest at 229,000 square miles. Madagascar is the second biggest island region on the planet. Key to the island’s elegance is its distinct fauna and flora.
