Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Surfing, Windsurfing & Kitesurfing
West Africa may not be the world's most famous surfing destination, but discerning surfers are rapidly discovering the
region's Atlantic coastline, partly for its waves and partly because you may just have the breaks to yourself.
In general terms, the waves off Mauritania, Morocco, Cape Verde, Senegal and The Gambia are best during the
European winter, while the coast from Sierra Leone to Cameroon offers the best conditions during the European sum-
mer.
Ghana has at least two beaches that surfers rave about: Busua and Cape Three Points, while the Cape Verdean island
of Sal is also popular. Even less-known, Bureh Beach, close to Freetown in Sierra Leone, has a fine right-handed break
during the rainy season, while Robertsport in Liberia has that unmistakeable call of the remote that hard-core surfers
love;
Sliding Liberia,
an award-winning documentary on surfing in Liberia, is definitely worth tracking down. Côte
d'Ivoire, Morocco's Atlantic Coast and Dakar in Senegal are other options.
For wider coverage of surfing in the region, check out
Low Pressure
(
www.lowpressure.co.uk
)
.
Cape Verde is rightly famous for offering some of the best windsurfing in the world. Most of the buzz surrounds the
island of Sal, but Boa Vista is also fantastic. Kitesurfing is possible at both places. Other windsurfing possibilities exist
in Senegal and at Essaouira in Morocco.
Swimming & Water Sports
You could head to a beach resort in Senegal, The Gambia or Cape Verde, but West Africa's beaches can be much more
appealing than this. In fact, the West African coast has everything you dream of in a tropical beach, with pristine sand,
swaying palm trees and, in some cases, not another tourist in sight. You just need to know where to look. Stay informed
about the potential dangers of swimming at many West African beaches; locals are usually the best source of informa-
tion.
There are plenty of water-borne activities (including sailing and other boat hire) in tourist areas such as The Gambia's
Atlantic Coast, Senegal's Petite Côte or Morocco's Atlantic Coast. For a less-touristy feel, Busua, in Ghana, offers both
jet-skiing and sea-kayaking, while jet-skiing can also be arranged on the more placid waters of Lake Bosumtwi.
WEST AFRICA'S TOP BEACHES
»
Ebodje, Cameroon
»
Kribi, Cameroon
»
Maio, Cape Verde
»
Praia da Santa Mónica, Cape Verde
»
Santa Maria, Cape Verde
»
Tarrafal, Cape Verde
»
Niega, Côte d'Ivoire
»
Sanyang, The Gambia
»
Akwidaa Beach, Ghana
»
Anomabu, Ghana
»
Busua, Ghana
»
Kokrobite Beach, Ghana
»
Arquipélago dos Bijagós, Guinea-Bissau
