Did you know that Sierra Leone is one of the best West African countries when it comes to beaches? To make matters even better, many beaches in Sierra Leone are conveniently located near Freetown, the country’s capital, making them easy to access even for a day trip or a weekend.
Sierra Leone is a very convenient destination from Europe for some winter sun – the weather stays mild year round, and it only takes less than 6 hours to fly to Freetown from major airports such as London, Paris or Brussels.So, let’s take a look at 6 beautiful beaches near Freetown, all within two hours drive and offering different activities.Best Beaches in Sierra Leone
1. Lumley Beach
Are you in Freetown only for a couple of days but still want to squeeze in some beach time? Then, Lumley Beach is the perfect place for you!
Lumley Beach is about 4 km long and it’s only a short drive from the heart of Freetown. The beach stretches from the coastal neighborhood of Aberdeen, all the way south past the Freetown Golf Course. The beach and the seaside promenade running alongside it are very lively – you’ll see runners, street sellers, people playing beach volleyball, live music and people having barbecues over the weekend.
Lumley Beach is an entertainment zone and a great place to sit and watch the world go by, with a cold drink or something to eat from one of many beach restaurants. Lumley beach is buzzing on the weekend afternoons with families and couples eating and having fun. A walk along Lumley Beach is a quintessential Freetown activity.
The beach itself is wide and sandy, and the water is clean, but the setting is quite ‘urban’ – if it’s turquoise water and white sand you’re after, keep reading!
2. Bureh Beach
3. Lakka Beach
4. Sussex Beach
5. River N.2 Beach
6. Tokeh Beach
Those looking for comfortable accommodation right on the beach should definitely take note of Tokeh Beach, where you’ll find The Place Beach Hotel, one of the best beach resorts in the country.
However, you don’t need to be a guest at the resort to be able to visit the beach. Tokeh is open to everyone and easy to access from Freetown, about an hour away. It’s also close to River N.2 – you can walk between the two beaches in about 20 minutes.
Spend your day relaxing in Tokeh Beach, visiting the beach restaurant for some fresh seafood, swimming in the clear waters and hopping on a boat ride to Tokeh Island if you so wish. Definitely worth the trip from Freetown!
