How to get there?
Lakka is only 10 km south of Lumley Beach, and driving takes approximately 20 minutes depending on traffic. Since it’s not that distant from Freetown, it’s easy to get there by taxi or private car – just to remember to allow extra time for traffic during the weekends and at peak hour.
About the Beach
Lakka Beach is about 1.5 km long, a crescent of golden sand surrounded by forested hills and dotted by coconut palms. It’s a great place to experience local life, being in the vicinity of Lakka, one of Freetown’s southern suburbs. Depending on the time of your visit, you’ll see brightly-painted canoes, children playing football, or fishermen roasting the day’s catch on barbecues. Those who like to go swimming will find a few spots where the current is not strong, especially when the tide is out – alternatively, you can always walk to the small island on the northern end of the beach, which can be accessed on foot even during high tide.
Things to do
Lakka Beach is a good place to relax and spend a day on the beach with a ‘local vibe – here, you’ll find Sierra Leoneans of all ages enjoying themselves, swimming and playing sports on the beach, but the atmosphere is decidedly less hectic compared to Lumley for example. There are also two good beach restaurants offering interesting menus including grilled lobster and barbecue skewers, if you’d like to have lunch with your toes in the sand.
The most iconic Lakka activity is walking to the Lakka Beach Island Resort (formerly known as Hard Rock), a resort with six huts located on a rocky shelf just off the beach. The resort is especially known for fishing, with opportunities to catch barracuda, mackerel and other large fish.
Places to Stay
Staying at Lakka Beach Island Resort is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but with only 6 huts, the place fills up quickly. Other accommodation options include Peninsula Lodge and St.Michael’s Lodge further south along the beach, and Occasions Resort, a mid range hotel in Lakka set back from the beach. To eat, it’s possible to head to Lakka Beach Island Resort even if you’re not staying – seafood dishes come highly recommended. Alternatively there are two more good fish restaurants along the beach, Paul’s Beach Bar and Thomas Shack.
