iSimangaliso Wetland Park

15 of the Best Beaches in Africa

"A vast protected coastal swath stretching 136 miles from Kosi Bay to Cape St. Lucia; the park's name means "miracle and wonder" in Zulu and it is one of the country's most biodiverse areas. It includes notable beaches such as Cape Vidal and Sodwana Bay, known for coral reefs and scuba diving, and beaches near St. Lucia that are commonly combined with a safari on Lake St. Lucia. Farther north, less-visited stretches such as Black Rock Beach, Bhanga Nek, Mabibi and Kosi Bay are ideal for secluded snorkeling and uninterrupted lounging. Pro tip: time a visit for the summer (November to March) to track leatherback and loggerhead turtles returning to lay eggs or spot hatchlings on beaches such as Kosi Bay, Cape Vidal, Mabibi, Sodwana Bay, Manzengwenya and St. Lucia during guided tours." - Melanie van Zyl Melanie van Zyl Melanie van Zyl’s stories aim to respectfully uplift the voices of the African continent. A conservation-curious journalist, she has photographed and written about Namibia, Mauritius, Botswana, Zanzibar, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Uganda, and her home country of South Africa for almost a decade. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines