The 11 Best Beaches in Lagos, Nigeria

Seek solace at Eleko, a Lekki beach that’s family-friendly and typically less crowded than other sandy spots on the peninsula though the number of visitors does tend to swell on weekends. Sun and fun seekers come here to enjoy horse riding, sports, and kayaking. Let your hair down and tuck into some refreshments like grilled seafood—prawns, crab, and juicy fish—or savor the taste of tropical life with fresh coconut juice hawked on the beach. This private beach in Lagos also has bamboo huts where visitors can get some shuteye, and don’t forget to browse for souvenirs at the local arts and crafts market. Eleko Beach lies off the Lekki-Epe Expressway on Eleko Beach Road, which is about an hour’s drive from Lekki Phase One.

Elegushi Beach is one of the most flocked-to beaches in Lekki. It’s a lively Lagos beach where the water roars and the sand bubbles with activities, restaurants, nightclubs, lounges, Ferris wheels, savvy vendors, you name it. Elegushi Beach has also famously hosted COPA Lagos, a world-renowned beach soccer tournament. While you can have oodles of fun there, don’t swim too far into the ocean to avoid the riptides. Elegushi Beach is situated around the Ikate area of Lekki, a 10-minute drive from the Admiralty Toll Gate.

Oniru private beach is located in the upmarket Victoria Island district. A gaggle of celebrity-owned restaurants lends glamor to this sparkling white sand strand, and it’s a prime spot for equestrian adventures. Sit back, relax, and watch the riders gallop past as you enjoy a fresh coconut, grilled fish, or other local delights served at the restaurants. The option is also to rent tables, chairs, and umbrellas instead of going into the bars. – 

There are natural, artificial, private, and public beaches in Lagos and Tarkwa Bay is one of the most popular ones. If you only visit one beach in Lagos, make it this one. Tarkwa Bay is a true oasis, an artificial island located near the Lagos Harbour that’s only accessible by boat or water taxi. The beach is scenic and pristine, and the 15-20-minute boat ride also provides cherishable views of Lagos from the water. You can obtain transportation there from Victoria Island, the Lagos Marina, or from any number of terminals on Lagos Island. Upon arrival, there are activities galore. You can play football, volleyball, or swim; the shallow waters are ideal for novice swimmers. Tarkwa Bay is also the best beach in Lagos for surfers to catch a wave.

Escape from it all with a trip to Whispering Palms, a peaceful beach resort on the outskirts of Lagos in Badagry, where guests enjoy everything from salsa lessons to cocktail-making classes and have access to tennis and basketball courts. Badagry is a coastal town and local government area that connects Nigeria to the neighboring francophone nation, Benin. You can get there by road, though this could take about three to four hours (depending on the part of Lagos you are coming from), or get there by boat or ferry within 50 minutes. There are several attractions close to Whispering Palms to explore, including the Badagry Heritage Museum, the Town of Badagry First Storey Building, and the historical Point of No Return slave route.

Not many hotels can lay claim to having a lagoon, mangrove forest, and over 65 acres of white sand beach with swaying palms. La Campagne Tropicana is one of the best beach resorts in Lagos, where guests can spend their days kayaking, horse riding, swimming in outdoor pools, or relaxing in tree houses, and retire at night to rooms that showcase African interior designs and décor. It is located at Ibeju-Lekku and can be accessed from Lekki Epe Expressway off the highway at Ikegun.

Lekki Leisure is the best private beach in Lagos to visit for water sports. This calm beach offers great outdoor activities, including jet-skiing, quad biking, and pedal boating. There are sumptuous restaurants and even a bouncing castle for kids. This family-friendly destination takes safety very seriously, so parents with children will be more comfortable coming here. Adults pay a gate fee, and kids under ten go free.

Ilashe is one of the private beaches in Lagos, with a variety of chic villas that can be rented for overnight stays. There are some luxury resorts as well. Ilashe is a peaceful paradise along Badagry Creek with no street names or house numbers. Places to stay include Barva Beach Lagos, La Manga Luxury Resort, and Casa Ilashe Resort. Visitors can get there via a boat ride from various jetties in Victoria Island, Ikoyi, or Lekki Phase One.

Victoria Island’s Landmark Beach may be viewed as a beachside activity emporium. It is ideal for playing tennis, soccer, volleyball, basketball, or mini golf. Paintballing is on the cards as well. There is also a bevy of food stalls and three beach clubs—Island Breeze, The Truth Beach Club, and Hangout Lagos, where beachgoers can dine and dance under the Lagos sun.

The word “jara” in Nigeria refers to a bonus or extra gift. Give yourself the gift of beach bliss by visiting Jara Beach Resort, one of Lagos’s loveliest beach resorts. This is a family-run all-inclusive hotel in Eleko that also offers day passes to enjoy the palm-fringed grounds. The white sand beach is a sight for sore eyes, and there’s a swimming pool as well for sand-free dipping. Jara Beach Resort is praised for its commendable attempts at sustainability, with more than four wind turbines and solar panels powering the property.