Africa Beach Vacations

Opt for a beach vacation in Africa, and enjoy waters rich with marine life, vast, sandy shores, and an abundance of adventurous pursuits. Our wide variety of African beach vacations is available in South Africa and Mozambique. Each destination offers its unique coastal crusades, with strikingly distinct environments. If none of our pre-designed packages meet your approval - let us create a custom package.

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  • Mozambique
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10 Day Benguerra and Quirimbas

Code: S44 Type: Beach Vacation Package Level: Exclusive Top-End Destinations Visited:

Benguerra | Quirimbas

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A truly luxurious island adventure, the Benguerra Island & Quirimbas Safari offers the ultimate tropical getaway off the coast of Southern Africa. The Bazaruto and Quirimbas archipelagos both stretch across the Indian Ocean offshore from Mozambique, providing some of the most prolific scuba diving, snorkeling, and even ample game fishing opportunities available.

From USD 18,770 Per Person Sharing
  • South Africa
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7 Day East Cape Wild Coast Package

Code: BP04 Type: Beach Vacation Package Level: Personal and Comfortable Destinations Visited:

Wild Coast

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The four-star Prana Lodge Beach Estate & Spa may feature in this exciting beach package, but the true star is the captivating backdrop of the Wild Coast. It is one of the most remote beach destinations in South Africa, offering pristine natural beauty and ample opportunities for adventure.

From USD 1,774 Per Person Sharing
  • Mozambique
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7 Day Southern Mozambique Luxury Beach Package

Code: BP05 Type: Beach Vacation Package Level: Luxury Destinations Visited:

Southern Mozambique

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One of the most easily accessed Mozambique beach destinations, White Pearl Resorts in Ponta Mamoli, offers excellent value and a comprehensive luxury beach holiday. You'll enjoy ocean safaris, seasonal turtle walks, snorkeling, various water sports, and even cultural excursions.

From USD 6,101 Per Person Sharing
  • South Africa
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5 Day Durban North Coast Package

Code: BP01 Type: Beach Vacation Package Level: Exclusive Top-End Destinations Visited:

KwaZulu Natal North Coast

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This exclusive beach package includes one of the best hotels in South Africa - the Oyster Box, an iconic property that pampers guests to indulgent extremity. You'll enjoy access to some of the finest beaches on the North Coast. The famous Umhlanga Rocks start at the foot of the hotel.

From USD 1,307 Per Person Sharing
  • South Africa
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5 Day East Cape Settler Country Beach Holiday

Code: BP02 Type: Beach Vacation Package Level: Luxury Destinations Visited:

Eastern Cape Coast

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An unforgettable beach holiday that visits one of the most under-explored stretches of coast in South Africa. At Oceana Beach & Wildlife Reserve in the Eastern Cape, you'll be able to experience a unique combination of coastal wilderness, leagues of undulating beaches, and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.

From USD 1,652 Per Person Sharing
  • Mozambique
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5 Day Tropical Mozambique Package

Code: BP03 Type: Beach Vacation Package Level: Luxury Destinations Visited:

Northern Mozambique

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Venture to the extreme north of Mozambique for a beach package like no other. Coral Lodge provides an extended stay and, along with traditional water-based activities like snorkeling, various cultural excursions are available. It doesn't get much more authentic than this.

From USD 3,088 Per Person Sharing

Why choose Africa for your Beach Vacation?

1

Incredible Settings

Southern Africa's signature diversity extends to the backdrops of its beaches. The islands and shores of Mozambique are indelibly tropical, while South Africa's north coast offers a wilder, more rugged sub-tropical milieu. Further south, the beaches of the Garden Route are akin to the scenery of the north Pacific, while Cape Town's Mediterranean climate makes for sublime summers.

2

Ample Space

You only need to worry about crowded beaches during the festive season (December / January) in South Africa. The remainder of the time, wherever you may venture, you will enjoy ample elbow room. There is no need to reserve a lounger or wake up early to stretch your towel out on the sand - head down to the beach and indulge in your precious leisure time.

3

Water-based Activities

While an African beach vacation can undoubtedly amount to a lot of leisure and relaxation time, it would be amiss not to indulge in a few great activities. Enjoy some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling environments in Mozambique, deep sea fishing, dhow sailing, and kayaking. South Africa offers fishing, surfing, shark cage diving, whale watching, and more.

Top Beach Vacation Destinations

Mozambique beach holidays are primarily characterized by island leisure, while beach vacations in South Africa can extend to incorporate other adventures like safaris and city or town tours for a more comprehensive getaway.

Honeymoon Packages that Include a Beach Vacation

15 Days From: ZAR 69,270 pp Luxury Code: H02

A luxurious top-end honeymoon that visits the Vic Falls enjoys a safari in Botswana and savors a beach vacation in Mozambique.

10 Days From: ZAR 69,270 pp Personal Code: H07

A romantic exploration of South Africa's finest beaches in combination with a safari in the Phinda Private Game Reserve.

7 Days From: ZAR 69,270 pp Luxury Code: H16

This honeymoon package focuses on the beaches and wildlife of South Africa's Eastern Cape Province.

Experiences to Savor

Sundowners in Camps Bay

The Camps Bay promenade looks directly over the suburb's main beach. The lively promenade sports a colorful collection of upmarket beachside cafes and eateries, ideal for 'sundowners' (cocktails or drinks at sunset) or people watching as the sun sinks beyond the Atlantic Ocean.

A Kaleidoscope of corals

The Bazaruto and Quirimbas archipelagos boast some of the world's finest, most pristine coral reefs. Beautifully preserved and captivating to explore, be sure to include a scuba diving excursion or even a snorkeling expedition on your African beach vacation in Mozambique.

Spotting whales in Walker Bay

Between June and November, Southern Right whales convene in the waters of Walker Bay in staggering numbers. This stretch of the Western Cape, known as the coastal Overberg, is the best location in the world to enjoy land-based whale watching as you unwind on the beach.

Other Destinations

Greater St Lucia Wetland Park

The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park is located on South Africa's northeastern coast. The park is a wildlife sanctuary dedicated to preserving this area of unique ecology for posterity. It lines the shores of the Indian Ocean with its spectacular beaches and warm waters that are ideally suited for swimming.

West Coast National Park

Beautiful sandy beaches are one of the features visitors to the West Coast National Park can enjoy. These beaches border the cold Atlantic Ocean, and only the bravest will endeavor a dip in these icy waters.

Swakopmund

Swakopmund is the premier coastal resort in Namibia. It is a beautiful town with a distinctly German character. It offers worshipers of sun and sea, fine sandy beaches washed by the cold waters of the Atlantic. Days are almost always sunny.

FAQ

Are there African beaches that I can enjoy during the wintertime?
Yes - While Cape Town and the Garden Route are still pleasant to visit in the winter, they do not enjoy 'beach-friendly' weather. Therefore, it is best to head to KwaZulu-Natal or Mozambique, where you can enjoy better weather (milder temperatures and less humidity) than you would in the summertime.
Which is the finest beach in Garden Route?
The Plettenberg Bay area hosts many Blue Flag beaches, including Robberg 5, Keurbooms, Nature's Valley, Lookout, and The Dunes. With various safe, stunning beaches, it remains the finest beach destination on the Garden Route.
What are the water temperatures like in Cape Town?
The waters of the Atlantic that caress the shores of the Cape Peninsula are notoriously frigid, but the brave can nevertheless endeavor an enjoyable swim. December - March is the best time for swimming, with temperatures peaking at 20°C (68°F) in February.
What about sharks?
Shark attacks in South Africa are sporadic, but shark spotters are nevertheless employed in the Cape Town area, mainly for the sake of surfers. On the East Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, shark nets protect the bays.
What does 'Blue Flag' status mean?
Blue Flag status is awarded to beaches by the Foundation for Environmental Education. These beaches meet stringent water quality standards, safety, environmental education and information, services provision, and general environmental management. When writing this article, South Africa boasts 45 official blue flag beaches.
Are there areas where it is not safe to swim?
Yes - the ocean is an unpredictable and enigmatic force to be respected. In South Africa, always swim where lifeguards are present and do so within the demarcated safety zone.
Besides swimming, are there other beach-based activities available?
Yes - depending on the area which you visit. A tropical beach destination like Mozambique offers snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, SUP, and more, while beach activities in South Africa lean more toward whale watching, swimming with seals, shark cage diving, and surfing.
What is the best beach location in KwaZulu-Natal?
Umhlanga and Ballito are fantastic beach destinations as they are not too far from Durban (easy access and a variety of activities), and the water is wonderfully warm. These beaches currently have pilot status - Head further north for scuba diving or snorkeling and something wilder.
What is a 'pilot status beach'?
Pilot status is a stepping stone toward full Blue Flag status. 22 South African beaches currently enjoy pilot status.
Is South Africa or Mozambique a better beach destination?
It depends on what you are after. Mozambique is your best bet for a tropical island-style beach holiday characterized by leisure and snorkeling/scuba diving activities. For a beach holiday that can include activities beyond the beach - like city tours in Cape Town or wildlife encounters in the Garden Route - South Africa is the superior choice.