What are the best beaches in Angola?

The beaches of Angola are real paradise jewels that at the same time are hardly exploited. This allows all travelers to enjoy more than 1,600 kilometers of coastline without being disturbed by anyone. In addition, the beaches of Angola are undoubtedly the most exotic of the African continent, being especially well prepared for tourism. They certainly have many entertainment venues and luxury hotels. The Angolan coast is also bathed by the Atlantic Ocean, which will allow you to practice water sports during your trip.

In this post we will tell you which are the best beaches in Angola and we will give you many tips and recommendations on where to eat and where to stay. So, if you are planning a trip to Angola and you are interested in visiting one or some of the beaches, read this post carefully. Trust Passporter and you will only have to worry about bringing sunscreen and enjoying the wonders that await you in Angola.

What are the best beaches in Angola?

1. Baia Azul Beach

Baia Azul Beach is one of the most visited beaches in Angola par excellence. This is because, despite being on the outskirts of Benguela, it offers spectacular views. It is a brilliant coastline surrounded by huge mountains and cliffs, reminiscent of the Grand Canyon of Colorado! In addition, Baia Azul is a fairly calm beach in terms of wind, so you can always enjoy an ideal day of sunbathing and swimming.

2. Cabo Ledo Beach

Cabo Ledo Beach is one of the largest beaches in Angola, its coastline is more than 30 kilometers long! Moreover, all along the way, the views are simply spectacular. On this beach you will find rocks, secret paths, and even beautiful hidden coves. The Cabo Ledo Beach also has picnic areas, leisure facilities, restaurants, watercraft rental companies… We assure you that if you go, you will not get bored for a single second.

3. Mussulo Beach

Another must-see on the list of Angola’s beaches is Mussulo Beach, as it is located in the heart of the country’s capital. However, this is not one of the most beautiful beaches, but the offer of leisure services is especially wide, and it is also super central and convenient to visit. You will be surprised how easy it is to recognize Mussulo Beach, as it is surrounded by hotels and resorts.

4. Playa Morena

This beach is also located on the outskirts of the city of Benguela, specifically to the north. However, it is an area much more adapted to tourism and therefore has all kinds of services in it. For example, Playa Morena has a huge promenade, from which we recommend you watch the sunset, the views are a real marvel!

5. Restinga Beach

Restinga is one of the most amazing beaches in Angola and is located in the city of Lobito. It is special because when the blue of the water mixes with the sand it gives the land a reddish tone. Therefore, two shades are mixed: a golden one and a redder one. We should mention that the water is somewhat cooler than at other beaches in Angola and that its waves are ideal for surfing or windsurfing. What are you waiting for to try it?

6. Sangano Beach

Sangano Beach is also located very close to Luanda. Being close to the capital it is one of the beaches of Angola with a more comfortable access if you do not have your own car. In addition, its waters are very shallow and it is completely surrounded by savannah trees, making Sangano beach a very particular place. It is a very quiet enclave with a lot of shade due to the amount of vegetation it has.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

Where and what to eat on the beaches of Angola

Angolan gastronomy is a fusion of the different cultural influences that have passed through the country, such as Portuguese, African and Brazilian. This combination of flavors and culinary techniques results in a varied and tasty cuisine. The basis of Angolan gastronomy includes ingredients such as palm oil, rice, cassava, fish and meats. When you go to the beaches of Angola take the opportunity to try the Moamba de Galinha (chicken stew that is cooked in palm oil along with vegetables, spices and herbs), the  Funje (mash made from manioc flour accompanied by different stews and sauces), or the Cabidela (stew made with chicken or pork blood, seasoned with garlic, vinegar and spices).

When you go to the beaches of Benguela, you must try these dishes in:

• Morena Beach Restaurant: This is a nice restaurant that also has an incredible sea view. Here you can try all the local cuisine for a very good price, usually less than 10€.
• Tudo na Brasa: This place is a good option to eat well, fast and cheap. The establishment is simple and serves abundant grilled meat dishes such as suckling pig or chops.

At Cape Ledo Beach, you should go to:

• Restaurant 120 na Braza: This restaurant is located practically on the beach. In the Restaurant 120 na Braza besides offering you grilled fish and seafood, the dishes are quite plentiful and the price is very economical.
• Resort Carpe Diem: Without a doubt this is one of the best resorts to eat in the entire Cabo Ledo area. Here you will find all kinds of international food such as pizza, hamburger or salads.

Where to stay at the beaches of Angola

In Cabo Ledo you can stay at:

• Pousada Doce Mar: It is a simple inn but with very clean and nice rooms. In addition to having spectacular views, the Pousada Doce Mar complex has a swimming pool, a garden and a restaurant.
• Queiroz Point Eco Resort: In this accommodation of small private cabins you can live a unique experience in a quiet and idyllic place in front of the beach. The prices are very economical and they offer a very complete breakfast.

In Benguela, on the other hand, we recommend you:

• Hotel Residencial RAMIRE-TOUR: This hotel is located in front of the beach and offers air-conditioned rooms with satellite TV, a restaurant and free WiFi. From the terrace the sea views are a real marvel. The price per night starts at 30€ and breakfast costs 8€.
• Aparthotel Mil Cidades: If you are traveling with family we recommend this aparthotel with a swimming pool, gym and restaurant. The rooms are perfectly equipped and the price (from 137€) includes breakfast.

What should I know before traveling to the beaches of Angola?

• The Angolan Kwanza is the official currency of Angola. However, US dollars are generally accepted in the same manner.
• The documentation required for travel to Angola is the passport (which must have at least six months validity when you enter the country), visa (except for people who have Portuguese nationality, as they will be exempt from this requirement as it is a former colony), and international vaccination certificate.
• The international vaccination certificate is very important when traveling to Angola. It must include the vaccination against yellow fever. However, it is also advisable to have received other vaccinations such as hepatitis, tetanus, typhoid, polio and meningitis C, although these are not compulsory.
• Hedge yourself against possible risks: travel insured. The Angolan health system leaves much to be desired, and in case of an accident you will need to go to a private clinic. With a good insurance you will travel with peace of mind and you will be fully covered in case of emergencies.
• Do not drink water from the tap, but always drink bottled water.
• Travel with plenty of cash because with the exception of a few hotels and restaurants, credit cards are not commonly used nor are there many reliable ATM machines.
• The best time to travel to Angola is at any time of the year, as it always has a temperature of between 26º and 31º. However, the rainy season is between November and April, and although infrequent, intense storms can occur and cause problems.
• Angola is relatively safe but you should take some precautions: it is recommended to avoid moving around on foot, going out at night or visiting troubled areas.
• Book hotels well in advance to avoid exorbitant prices.

How to organize a trip to the beaches of Angola

Sign up or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions into it.
• Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we indicate in this post as a reference).
• Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes presented in the post)
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make the modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and recommend the best beaches in Angola to other travelers.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to the beaches of Angola