Cinq cents kilomètres d'Atlantique, des lagunes derrière les dunes et une route côtière qui rend la majeure partie accessible dans la journée.
Le littoral court de la frontière ghanéenne au Liberia. À l'est, les lagunes et les cocoteraies d'Assinie et de Grand-Bassam, à une heure ou deux d'Abidjan. À l'ouest, la côte devient plus sauvage jusqu'à Sassandra et San Pedro. Chaque étape a son caractère, et on peut les enchaîner ou n'en garder qu'une.
Construire un itinéraire littoral
45 min from AbidjanThe country's first colonial capital. Its Quartier France has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 2012 — crumbling red-brick facades, the national costume museum, and the beach at the end of every street. It's where Abidjan goes on Sunday, and the easiest place to understand the country's history without leaving the coast.
2 h from AbidjanA spit of sand between the Aby lagoon and the Atlantic. Still water, pirogues and boat trips on one side; ocean swell on the other. It's the weekend destination, with the best lodges in the country and easy access to the Ehotilé islands.
4 h westA former trading post turned fishing port, sitting at the mouth of the river of the same name. Sheltered coves on either side, cliffs, and a fishing rhythm that sets the pace of the day. It's the quietest option, and the one travellers talk about most on the way home.
6 h westThe country's second port, and the gateway to the wildest beaches on the western coast. Less visited, rougher, with the forest coming down to the sand in places. Best combined with Taï National Park, a few hours inland.
1 h 30 from AbidjanAn island joined to the mainland by a bridge, between the Ébrié lagoon and the ocean. Fishing villages, coconut groves, and a strip of sand that runs for kilometres. Close enough for a day trip, quiet enough to stay the night.
3 h from AbidjanThe old town is slowly being reclaimed by the sea — a striking site, where you walk between colonial buildings the ocean is eating away. Next to it, the mouth of the Bandama river and Azagny National Park offer lagoons and mangroves.
November to April, during the southern dry season: calmer sea, clear skies. From June to September the rain is heavy on the coast and the sea rougher.
No. The Atlantic has a strong undertow in places, which is why lagoon-side lodges and sheltered coves feature so heavily in our itineraries. Your guide will tell you where to swim on each beach.
By private vehicle with a driver. Grand-Bassam, Jacqueville and Assinie work as day trips from Abidjan; Sassandra and San Pedro deserve an overnight.
Yes, in Assinie, Grand-Bassam and San Pedro in particular. Our Hotel page lists the properties we book, with their direct contacts.
Send us your dates and what you want out of the trip. We reply with a route, a price and the names of the people who will meet you.
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