Although beaches might not be the first image that comes to mind when you think of Africa, the continent has some of the best beaches in the world. Picture powdery white sand, crystal-clear turquoise water, and palm trees rustling in the wind. Africa is an R&R paradise! Some of the best gay-friendly beaches in Africa stretch from the wild Madagascar and the cerulean ocean in Mozambique to Cape Town's sunny shores and Insta-worthy scenes of the Maldives.
Camps Bay, Cape Town
Camps Bay Beach is a fabulously gay-friendly beach in Cape Town
Camps Bay Beach is one of the hottest (in more ways than one!) places to be, especially when it's summer in Cape Town. Play volleyball in the sun, have a picnic lunch on the granite boulders, float carefree in the tidal pool, or watch the waves crash from the silky beach. Your Insta-snaps will be extra hot with the mountains behind you. With pristine beaches lapped by clear water and lined by trendy cocktail bars and high-end restaurants, you can spend many days (and nights!) here. This sunset strip is packed with Lamborghinis, palm trees, and Veuve Cliquot. It’s one of the best nightlife scenes in Cape Town. And the eye candy is not bad either!
Le Morne, Mauritius
Mauritius is a watersports wonderland for the adventurous
Mauritius is an Indian Ocean archipelago with endless opportunities for beachfront relaxation and adrenaline-fueled adventure. Whether you prefer alfresco spa treatments or something a bit more wild like quad biking or watersports, there's just so much to write home about (and post on Instagram!).
Le Morne is more to the southwestern tip of the island which is well-known for adventure activities, including hiking up the mountains, surfing, and snorkelling. The cherry on top is the ultra-luxe hotels dotted along the beach with stunning ocean and mountain views for days!
Maldives
Relaxing in a hammock, Image Credit: Innahura Maldives Resort
The Maldives is world-famous for its luxury overwater resorts and its long stretches of white beach, perfect for long romantic walks on the beach. Or for simply kicking back and reading a book! The weather is great 365 days a year (with some wetter than others), so your holiday is guaranteed to be filled with sunshine and happy memories.
The Maldives is a collection of rich-shaped coral reefs, islands, and islets. There is not a bad angle! Spend the days soaking up the sun or discovering a colourful world under the sea floating through coral reefs.
Robberg Nature Reserve, Pletternberg Bay
Robberg Nature Reserve is worth a visit
Robberg Nature Reserve is located on the Garden Route about eight kilometres south of Plettenberg Bay. It’s easy to spend the entire day in the Reserve with a number of delightful swimming spots to choose from. Of course, the silky sand is super inviting to bronze yourself for that enviable summer glow! If you’re keen, Robberg Nature Reserve has a few trails and is ideal for immersing yourself in the beauty from every angle. Day visitor fees do apply. Visit CapeNature for more info.
Clifton, Cape Town
Clifton is a globetrotter’s paradise
Clifton in Cape Town is a favourite beach for the rich and famous, with its picture-perfect setting sheltered from the notorious South Easter Wind. Clifton is a stretch of four smaller beaches, each with a distinctive character. Clifton 1st is best for surfing, while locals love playing volleyball on Clifton 2nd. Clifton 3rd is more popular among the LGBTQ community, and Clifton 4th is perfect for lazy days in the sun.
Take note that parking is very limited, and you’ll have to climb steep stairs through the multi-million rand holiday homes.
Sava Dunes, Mozambique
Sava Dunes in tropical Mozambique
Sava Dunes is one of the more remote areas of the Inhambane coastline of Mozambique. If you're looking for a proper digital detox, and to cosy up to nature, then you can't go wrong here.
Bazaruto Archipelago
A dreamy setting for sundowners, Image Credit: andBeyond Benguerra Island Resort
Mozambique's Bazaruto archipelago is best known for its mesmerising and diverse ecologies, kaleidoscopic coral reefs, and marine life. And when on land, the sunset dinners on the beach will leave you staring into the distance with a sappy smile on your face.
Sunset Beach, Cape Town
The iconic Table Mountain from Sunset Beach, Image Credit: Sergey Ryzhkov
Table Mountain in Cape Town needs no introduction, and we don’t blame photographers coming from all across the globe to get this iconic shot. There is a long stretch of uniterrupted beach (8km) from Milnerton to Blouberg. Along the way, you will find Sunset Beach. It’s relatively quiet with more crowds closer to Milnerton and Blouberg respectively. But there is plenty of space to get an iconic shot with the beach, waves, and mountain. If you prefer rock formations in the foreground, head over to Big Bay in Blouberberg.
Wilderness, Garden Route
Paragliding over Wilderness Beach on the Garden Route
Calling all adventurous spirits! If you want to spread your wings and feel like a bird, paragliding is a dream come true. Nothing makes you feel more alive than drifting over the vast ocean and beach, with everything and everyone looking tiny from above. And Wilderness Beach on the Garden Route in South Africa is one of the best (and most scenic) areas to do this.
Just around the bend from George, Wilderness beach stretches 9km and is relatively quiet, giving you loads of space to be yourself.
Boulders Beach, Cape Town
Boulders Beach is home to a large colony of endangered African penguins
How dapper do these adorable penguins look? If you want to get close to African penguins in their natural habitat, Boulders Beach in South Africa is the best place to go. Whether you're six or sixty, a day with these penguins will have you smiling from ear to ear.
And no doubt that your Insta-snaps will make your followers jelly! With granite boulders, translucent blue water, and cute penguins, your selfies are sure to be one of a kind.
Visit sanparks.org for updated conservation fees.
Santorini, Mozambique
Enjoy kayaking a little further out, Image Credit: Santorini Mozambique
Show off those biceps and drink in the views on a kayak excursion at Santorini Mozambique. Paddling out gives you a different perspective of the area, is quieter than a boat, so you get to soak up the sounds, and gives you the chance to work off some of those cocktails.
Grootbos Nature Reserve, Garden Route
A romantic space to reconnect, Image Credit: Grootbos Nature Reserve
Grootbos Nature Reserve on the Garden Route in South Africa is the perfect place to step into Mother Nature's soothing embrace. With 3,500 hectares of pristine wilderness, never-ending beaches, three milkwood forests over 1,000 years old, and 907 plant species, it's a very special place. Not only is the landscape something to behold, but it's home to more than 23 mammal species and a great place to see the marine Big 5.
Azura Benguera, Mozambique
An aerial view of Azura Benguerra
With warm, clear water and blissful white beaches, you can spend a lifetime exploring both the ocean and land at Azura Benguerra Island in Mozambique. It's a castaway paradise! Just imagine waking up on these shores...
Umhlanga Pier, Kwa-Zulu Natal
The Umhlanga Pier at sunrise, Image Credit: Marlin Clark
The Umhlanga Pier, also called Whalebone Pier, found in Durban, South Africa, is a great place to watch the sunset. Its spectacular design and stunning setting have led to it being voted the most beautiful pier in the world by CNN. The designer of this distinctive "bridge to nowhere" was also awarded the South African National Award for Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement.
Madagascar
Madagascar is like a mini continent with plenty to explore
Many of the beaches in Madagascar, are uninhabited and surrounded by endless emerald forests. It's also well-known for being home to adorable lemurs, made famous by the animated movie Madagascar.
Book Your Dream Gay-Friendly Beach Holiday to Africa Today
Pack your suitcase, it's piña colada time! If you're craving an island getaway, contact our LGBTQ+ Travel Experts, and let’s start planning today!
Featured Image Credit: Marlin Clark
