Beach sights in Africa
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Supertubes
Surfers from all over the planet flock to J-Bay to ride the famous wave at Supertubes, once described as 'the most perfect wave in the world'. June to September are the best months for experienced surfers.
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Guet N'Dar
This small village, on the Langue de Barbarie peninsula, is linked to St-Louis by a much more modest bridge than the Pont Faidherbe. There's a lighthouse and a beach, but you can forget about sunbathing - every morning, some 200 pirogues (canoes) are launched into the sea, returning in the afternoon to unload their fish on the sand, a spectacular sight.
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Boulders Beach
Some 3km south of Simon’s Town is Boulders, a picturesque area with a number of large boulders and small sandy coves, within which you’ll find Boulders Beach, home to a colony of 3000 jackass (African) penguins. Delightful as they are, the penguins are also pretty stinky, which may put you off getting too close.
There are two entrances to the penguins’ protected area. The first, as you come along Queens Rd (the continuation of St George’s St) from Simon’s Town, is at the end of Seaforth Rd; the second is at Bellevue Rd, where you’ll also find accommodation and places to eat. You can observe the penguins from the boardwalk at Foxy Beach and at Boulders Beach.
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D
Hobie Beach
The wide sandy beaches to the south of central Port Elizabeth make the town a major watersports venue. Catamaran sailors and surfers make for Hobie Beach, which is 5km from the city centre.
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Sun Coast Beach
The casino's Sun Coast Beach is a safe and pleasant spot to lie and bake. It has lawn, deck chairs and brollies.
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Libanona Beach
The cleanest and prettiest beach in Fort Dauphin itself is at Libanona, on the southwestern side of the peninsula.
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Beaches
Beginning about 10km south of town is a string of tranquil, attractive Beaches, including Murrébuè and Mecúfi.
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Baie des Galions Beach
The beach along Baie des Galions to the north of Libanona is the place for surfing and windsurfing (late August to May only).
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Miami Plage
The largest beach club in Aïn Diab is Miami Plage, which has basketball courts, beach umbrellas, a swimming pool and a restaurant and bar.
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Praia de Wimbi
Almost everyone heads straight for Praia de Wimbi, where you can swim or enjoy the sea breezes at one of the many waterside restaurants or bars.
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Plage de Hann
The Plage de Hann, once one of Dakar's finest strands, is now an environmental catastrophe due to illegal sewage disposal by the adjacent industrial zone.
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Plage de N'gor
Dakar's best beaches are found in the north of the peninsula. Plage de N'gor isn't bad, but better are the beaches on Île de N'gor, reached by pirogue (US$1) from there.
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La Marsa Beach
La Marsa beach is the best, and less crowded than those at La Goulette, Sidi Bou Saïd and Carthage (but note the patch nearest the president's palace at Carthage is quite pristine).
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Plage Monaco
In the shelter of Pointe de Bel-Air, are the private beaches Plage de la Voile d'Or (admission around CFA650) and the adjacent Plage Monaco, where occasional beach concerts take place year-round.
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Palm Beach
The main beach is mostly hassle-free, but single females or families will have a more relaxed time at one of the private beaches such as Palm Beach - which also has showers, toilets and a kids' play area.
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Sunset Beach
The main beach is mostly hassle-free, but single females or families will have a more relaxed time at one of the private beaches such as Sunset Beach - which also has showers, toilets and a kids' play area.
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Playa del Reducto
If you fancy a dip, Playa del Reducto is a superb white sandy beach, a thong's throw from Calle Dr Rafael González Negrín. It's safe for children, reasonably clean and, generally, surprisingly empty.
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Betania Beach
The best beach is quiet Betania beach at the southern end of the peninsula. There is now one place to stay, but even if you don't, it makes a good day trip. To get to the beach arrange transport with a pirogue captain.
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Main Beach
This beach is flanked by campgrounds and hotels and stretches north from town. It's a wide sweep of golden sand and, although pleasant in low season, the crowds and noise from the nearby road make it less appealing in summer.
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Grand Bassam
Fading colonial glory and long stretches of beach lined with hotels and seafood restaurants are the main attractions at this popular getaway. On the weekends visitors used to pack the hotels and beaches, but now most expats seek sun elsewhere.
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Le Gouffre
Le Gouffre is a blowhole in the basalt cliffs 1km (0.6mi) south of Étang-Salé-les-Bains. For much of the time there's nothing to see, but in rough weather the waves come crashing through the hole producing spectacular plumes of spray.
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Nosy Kely Beach
The beach at Nosy Kely is fairly attractive, although it has also suffered severe erosion over the last decade. Check out the southern end for the most sand. Strong currents prevent swimming in many areas, and views are marred by concrete pilings.
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Paradise Beach
For peace and quiet head to this glorious beach, a gorgeous, pristine spot that really does live up to its name. It's a pleasant walk along the coast or, alternatively, you could hop on one of the horse-drawn carriages that ply this route in summer.
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Beach
For many, the only energy left after partying at night will be for getting down to the beach and collapsing for the day. Beaches, from east to west, are Playa de las Burras, Playa del Inglés and Playa de Maspalomas. They all link up to form the one Beach .
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Noordhoek Beach
This magnificent 5km stretch of beach is favoured by surfers and horse riders. It tends to be windy, and dangerous for swimmers. The Hoek, as it is known to surfers, is an excellent right beach break at the northern end that can hold large waves (only at low tide); it's best with a southeasterly wind. In the middle of the beach, like a weird sculpture, the rusted shell of the steamship Kakapo sticks out of the sand. It ran aground here on its maiden voyage in 1900 from Britain to Australia.
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