We’ve already told you about the best beaches in Sierra Leone – busy, remote, picturesque, we’ve got a beach for every mood and for every day of the year!So, whether you’re the kind of person who loves relaxing on the beach with a drink in hand, or you like to keep busy and never sit still, you’ll find your ideal dimension in Sierra Leone.With so many beaches, there are plenty of water sports available all over Sierra Leone – let’s have a look at the most popular ones!
Top Beach Activities to Try in Sierra Leone.
1. Diving
Those who love underwater exploration will be pleased to know there are several places around Sierra Leone that offer ideal diving conditions. The best known closest to Freetown is Sussex beach, home to Franco’s, the first dive center in the country, opened decades ago by an Italian man and his Sierra Leonean wife.Another excellent diving destination are the Banana Islands, offering a variety of dive sites ranging from coral reefs, underwater rock formations, wrecks and muck dive locations. Get in touch with the dive centre at Dalton’s Banana Guesthouse to know more about diving in the Banana Islands.
2. Surfing
Just like Sussex is known as the birthplace of diving in Sierra Leone, Bureh is THE surfing beach, the place where the surfing scene first took root and still one of the best places to go surfing nowadays.
However, it’s not the only surf beach – River No.2 also offers good surfing conditions, and so do the Turtle Islands, if you can brave the long journey to reach this offbeat paradise.
3. Snorkeling
If you’re not into diving but would like to explore underwater, you have the option of going snorkeling. Dalton’s Banana Guesthouse also offer snorkeling trips around the Banana Islands, where you can spot fish like barracuda, mackerel and pompano, and interesting basalt rock formations.
4. Beach Volleyball
Ok, this is not a ‘water sport’ per se, but it’s a popular beach activity in Sierra Leone! You’ll often see groups of young people playing volleyball on Sierra Leonean beaches, and one of the best places to play is Lumley Beach, where you can find some beach volley courts.
5. Swimming
Let’s save the best for last! The crystalline waters of many Sierra Leonean beaches are just ideal for swimming, and the vibrant underwater life means you’ll always have something to look at. Just be careful as some beaches have strong rip currents and are therefore best avoided.The lagoon at John Obey and River No.2 beach are two safe swimming options.
