Beaches are the lifeblood of waterfront tourism activities. There is nothing as enthralling for most tourists as a beachfront experience with the pecks of sun, sand and sea, the three ‘S’ as they are called in tourism. They are worth millions of dollars.
In some countries, especially island countries like Seychelles, Mauritius, the Caribbean countries, they are the only source of the much needed foreign exchange.
Beachfront tourism attracts tonnes of dollars in revenue and income. However, in Nigeria, there has not been any massive investment. Conde Nast Travellers, the world’s leading monthly travel magazine, has a list of top 50 top holiday resorts. None is located in Nigeria.
Nigeria has about 840 kilometres of beachfront stretching from Nigeria’s international border with Benin Republic in Seme. From Lagos State through Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross State states, the country is massively endowed.
Nigeria has the longest stretch of beachfront in West Africa. The country has in Lagos, stretching for about 185 kilometres, the most alluring, lush sandy beach fronts in this part of Africa. This has been the reason many troop to the beaches for relaxation and rejuvenation after hectic work hours.
While many of the beaches like Elegushi, Landmark, Oniru are easily accessible through the Lekki-Ibeju Lekki axis, to have a feel of nature devoid of the crowd seen at most Lagos beaches especially on weekends and during Yuletide, one has to make the extra effort of hitting the Lagos waterways by boat, through the lagoons to the island beaches.
One major advantage of the island beaches of Lagos is that visitors experience the feel of the fresh water lagoon and the more salty turbulent waters of Lagos. While the ocean is in front of the islands, the lagoons are at the back.
These are five of the topmost island beaches in Lagos.
Ibeshe beaches
Ibeshe island beaches have become almost synonymous with relaxation on the ocean beach front in Lagos. The island has a long stretch of beachfront which has been carved into private island beach houses by individuals, corporate organisations and embassies. It is a very popular island beachfront in Lagos.
There are also beach houses in Ibeshe that individuals could rent for private parties, retreats and getaways.
Ibeshe could be accessed through Satellite Town at the outskirts of Lagos, off the Lagos-Badagry international highway.
Tarkwa Bay
Tarkwa Bay beach is the most popular island beach in Lagos. It is located near the Atlas Cove. It is about a 20 to 30 minutes boat ride from Lagos Marina and one could easily get a boat to convey one to the island anytime.
Tarkwa Bay beachfront is safe and clean with less turbulent ocean waves due to the ocean wave breakers. There are rows of thatch houses and chairs for rent. Because of the relative ease of navigation to the beach, there is a steady shuttle of commercial boats that ply to and fro the island.
Another advantage of Tarkwa Bay is the relative safety. The beach is close to an oil facility so there is so much security patrol on water.
At Tarkwa Bay, visitors have different offerings to choose from and indulge themselves. There is quad biking, jet skiing, horse riding and other options.
However, visitors must note that due to the nature of the area, movement on water is restricted after 6pm.
Gberefu Beach
Gberefu Beach in Badagry is steeped in history. It also has a natural harbour that ancient slave merchant ships birthed on for human cargoes and other goods.
The Beach sand of Gberefu has seen thousands of footsteps of ill-fated slaves shipped to the Americas for close to 500 years. That is why the island is also called Point of No Return. Slaves that crossed the lagoon from Badagry Marina were not expected to return once their foot touched Gberefu.
Gberefu Island is at best a private getaway because there are no immediate accommodation facilities on the island except few white garment churches around. But here one can experience quietude and peace of mind.
Inagbe Beaches
Although Inagbe Island boasts of Inagbe Beach Resort, it is one the less explored beaches. The island has a large expanse of beach side coconuts and a great view of the Atlantic Ocean. The beaches are relatively clean and unpolluted. In Inagbe, one can feel the therapeutic power of nature as one listens to the monotonic crash of the ocean’s waves, and hear ocean breeze whizzing past one’s ears.
Places like La Campagne Tropicana beach resort in Ikegun, though not a beach but just a resort with a beachfront view are also top on the list of beachfront islands and beaches to visit.
