Home to a mere 80km of coastline, the tiny West African nation of The Gambia has long captivated travellers with its gorgeous palm-fringed beaches, traditional villages and lush coastal reserves teeming with birdlife.
Despite its small size, the country has a surprisingly diverse range of tropical getaways, from vibrant beaches just steps from great restaurants and nightlife, to idyllic end-of-the-road retreats with vast stretches of empty sands, mangrove-lined creeks, and lush inland forests.
Kotu
Backed by palm trees and fringed with lagoons, this wide resort beach hits all the right notes. It’s a fine destination for leisurely strolls along the golden shoreline or relaxing in a sun lounger at one of the beach bars overlooking the waves while taking in the passing people parade.
You’ll find an appealing range of lodging options here, including perennial favourites like the Kombo Beach Hotel, with a huge pool, a waterfront bar, and loads of amenities. The 2km-long beach is bisected by the Kotu Stream, a mangrove-lined waterway that’s a magnet for birdwatchers; the Kotu Bridge, located around 400m upriver from the beach, serves as an excellent starting point for spotting avian species.
Kololi
One of the liveliest beach destinations anywhere in West Africa lies in Kololi, a buzzing district of resort hotels, open-sided restaurants, and music-filled bars—along with craft markets, night clubs, and adventure tour operators. The former fishing village has been a traveller hub since the 1980s and continues to draw a wide cross-section of visitors seeking relaxation, good food, and vibrant nightlife.
The centre of the action is along the Senegambia Strip, a vibrant restaurant-lined road between the ocean and the Bertil Harding Highway. Aside from the sun-drenched shoreline, one of the big draws is the Bijilo Forest Park, better known as Monkey Park for the charming colobus and red vervet monkeys that inhabit the woodland reserve.
Cape Point
Perched on a headland above the town of Bakau, Cape Point overlooks two beaches with distinctly different personalities. Below the reddish cliffs of Bakau to the southwest is a busy fishing beach, characterized by colourfully painted pirogues (long narrow fishing boats) and a bustling market where the day’s catch is sold.
The golden sands to the southeast of Cape Point offer a fine counterpoint to busier resorts to the south. Here, you can discover enticing low-key hotels, as well as a wide stretch of sand with a more local flavour. Sundays are particularly lively, with Gambian families picnicking and enjoying games of football (soccer). After a day on the beach, catching the sunset from one of the restaurants in the area is a must. Calypso is an enchanting spot for afternoon drinks and a memorable seafood meal.
Batukunku Beach
One of The Gambia’s finest beaches lies just south of the bustling village of Tanji. This wide, palm-backed stretch of white sand makes for a superb shoreline retreat. Visit Batukunku to unplug and enjoy long walks along the waterside, memorable sunsets, and leisurely days soaking up the rays.
A few nearby attractions include the biologically rich Tanji Bird Reserve, which is set amid lagoons, forest, and dunes. On the shore, the lively Tanji Fish Market sees fishermen in brightly painted pirogues unloading baskets of fish onto the sands, with vendors haggling over the day’s catch. Stands dedicated to drying and smoking fish line the back of the beach. Although development in the Batukunku area is limited, enhancing its charm, many choose to day trip here from other areas or stay at the few guesthouses available, such as the appealing White Horse Residence.
Sanyang Beach
Located around 30km south of the Gambia’s capital of Banjul, and approximately 5 kilometres west of the small village of Sanyang, this picturesque beach is an excellent choice for those seeking a tranquil stretch of shoreline. Sanyang Beach is sometimes fittingly called Paradise Beach.
The area hosts a handful of beach bars and simple eco-lodges. A perennial traveller favourite is the open-sided Rainbow Lodge, where you can relish cold beers (and South African wine) while enjoying a beautiful view of the wave-kissed beachfront. On Sundays, you can often discover live music and dancing starting around 4pm. Another ideal place for overnight stays, along with boating excursions, is the garden-fringed Bees Mouth Gambia.
Kartong
On the southern coast, just a few kilometres from the Senegal border, Kartong is one of the oldest settlements on The Gambia’s Atlantic coast, with roots dating back over 400 years. This multi-ethnic village, home to approximately 5000 residents, includes communities such as the Mandinka, Jola, and smaller groups like the Balanta and Karoninka.
West and north of the village, the beaches retain a wild and remote feel, featuring sparkling bays against a striking tropical backdrop of palms and low dunes. There are several low-impact resorts in the area, including the Sandele Eco Retreat, which provides an excellent base for exploring the region. Furthermore, Kartong is a birdwatcher’s paradise, boasting over 350 avian species. Guided birdwatching tours can be arranged at the Kartong Bird Observatory located on the western outskirts of town, adjacent to the wetlands.
While in the area, don’t miss the chance to visit Falonko, one of three sacred shrines with crocodile pools in The Gambia. Set amid a gallery forest near the town center, Falonko is an important pilgrimage site, particularly for couples hoping to conceive. Just a few kilometres south of Kartong lies the mangrove-lined Allahein River, another prime destination for birdwatching. Arrange trips or enjoy a meal at Dodou’s Place on the waterfront.
Jinack Island
The Gambia’s sparsely populated northern coastline stretches for just 10km between the eponymous river and the border with Senegal, but it’s home to the spectacular shoreline of Jinack Island.
This curved low-lying land features expansive beaches fringed with coastal lagoons, saltwater marshes, and mangrove creeks, creating a magical destination for an edge-of-the-continent getaway. The 100% solar-powered Jinack Lodge offers rustic accommodation by the seaside and a wide range of tours and activities, including boat trips through the mangroves, dolphin-spotting excursions, African cooking tutorials, and drumming workshops.
