10 Places in Africa Where You Can Spend Christmas on the Beach

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Most travelers don’t think of Africa as a Christmas destination. But across the continent, beach towns offer sunshine, community feasts, and traditions that are as heartwarming as any fireplace. If you’re dreaming of trading sweaters for swimsuits this December, these 10 African coastal escapes are waiting. All verified as of June 2025 and yes, they’re open, thriving, and ready to welcome you.

1. Watamu, Kenya

Tucked along Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast, Watamu is a charming beach town known for its soft white sands, ancient ruins, and vibrant marine life. Every December, the town transforms lanterns glow along the shore, local craft markets appear, and choirs sing by candlelight. It’s an idyllic mix of spiritual tradition and tropical ease, perfect for travelers looking to exchange crowded malls for coral reefs and slow, meaningful celebration.

Swim in the coral-filled Marine National Park, try coastal Swahili cuisine at Papa Remo Beach, or attend midnight mass at a centuries-old church. Fly into Malindi Airport via Nairobi or direct charter. Local hotels like Hemingways Watamu offer special Christmas buffets and curated holiday packages.

2. Chidenguele, Mozambique

Far from the crowds, Chidenguele hugs a quiet stretch of coast where sand dunes roll into the sea. While there are no major Christmas events, Naara Eco Lodge offers a peaceful December retreat with seafood dinners and serene lake views.

Access via Maputo with a 4-hour ground transfer. Expect grilled prawns, canoe rides, and evenings under the stars perfect for unplugging over the holiday.

3. Grand Popo, Benin

Grand Popo blends coastal charm with spiritual heritage. Though the famous Vodun Festival takes place in January, December offers dry weather and calm beaches for a restful getaway.

Stay at Auberge de Grand Popo, steps from the ocean. Fly into Cotonou, then transfer by road (1.5 hours). Explore salt farms, river estuaries, and coastal shrines with local guides.

4. Anakao, Madagascar

Reachable by boat from Toliara, Anakao feels like the end of the earth. Christmas here is simple: barefoot kids chasing goats, seafood feasts under starlight, and waves that lull you to sleep.

Stay at Prince Anakao (operational as of June 2025). Local ferry schedules confirmed with daily departures. Bring cash, a torch, and time to slow down.

5. Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique

This cluster of islands off the coast of Vilankulo is pure barefoot luxury. Picture yourself arriving by boat, greeted by white sands and turquoise waters so clear they reflect the clouds. Azura Benguerra Island continues to welcome December guests with dhow safaris, reef dives, candlelit dinners, and spa treatments. It’s a secluded haven where Christmas means tranquility, barefoot indulgence, and a sky full of stars.

Access via Vilankulo Airport (LAM Mozambique and connecting flights). December brings warm seas, excellent diving, and golden sunsets.

6. Cape Verde (Sal Island)

A 5-hour flight from Europe brings you to Sal, where Christmas lights shimmer in Santa Maria and Afro-Portuguese rhythms fill the air. Expect palm-lined promenades, beach barbecues, and a laid-back atmosphere where everyone joins the party. Resorts host live music, buffets, midnight swims, and seasonal cocktails under the stars, making it one of Cape Verde’s most festive and sun-soaked holiday getaways.

Arrive via Amílcar Cabral Airport. EasyJet flies direct from London as of March 2025. Stay at Hotel Morabeza or Oasis Salinas, both offering festive packages

7. Lamu Island, Kenya

Car-free and culturally rich, Lamu slows everything down. Here, Christmas isn’t commercial it’s deeply spiritual and sensorial. Church bells echo through narrow alleys, children carry lanterns, and locals gather in quiet reverence. Swahili pastries like mahamri and vitumbua scent the air, and ocean breezes whisper through carved wooden doors. It’s a place where holiday spirit lingers long after the tide rolls in.

Fly into Manda Airstrip via Nairobi. Peponi Hotel and Lamu House remain open through the holidays with seasonal deals. Dress modestly, and pack a light scarf for the sea breeze.

8. Assinie, Ivory Coast

Assinie is where luxury and lagoon life meet a stretch of coastline dotted with elegant beach houses, palm-shaded decks, and warm breezes drifting off the Atlantic. While not explicitly Christmas-themed, the festive season brings music-filled nights with Afrobeat rhythms, candlelit seafood feasts, and lazy mornings in private infinity pools. It’s a refined, quietly glamorous escape where the holiday mood hums in the background of every sunset.

Fly into Abidjan and continue with a 90-minute road transfer to Assinie. For a boutique coastal stay, consider the Hotel Coucoue Lodge a serene beachfront retreat with overwater bungalows, kayaking, and open-air dining under thatched roofs

9. Zanzibar, Tanzania

From Stone Town’s winding alleys to Paje’s kite-surfing coast, Zanzibar is alive in December. Most resorts host beachside feasts and carol singalongs in Kiswahili.

Confirmed: direct flights from Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Doha. Stay at Baraza Resort or the eco-chic Zuri Zanzibar.

10. Nosy Be, Madagascar

Nosy Be is Madagascar’s most accessible island and a tropical escape where Christmas feels like a celebration of sun and sea. Known for its fragrant ylang-ylang plantations, turquoise bays, and vibrant marine life, the island promises a festive season filled with diving, sunset cruises, and lazy afternoons on golden sands.

Air Madagascar flies to Nosy Be from Antananarivo. Check in at Andilana Beach Resort for a locally influenced Christmas buffet.

So, if your December doesn’t have to come with snowflakes and sweaters, which of these beaches would you wake up on? Would you choose candlelit alleys in Lamu, reef dives in Mozambique, or seafood feasts under starlight in Anakao.

Looking for more quiet coastal gems? Explore our complete guide to warm-weather destinations in December, or go deeper with our feature on São Tomé and Príncipe, one of Africa’s most underrated island escapes