The white sand
On the ocean side.
Dadrik — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Dadrik — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Dadrik — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Dadrik — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Dadrik — CC BY-SA 4.0
Assinie Beach is a seaside resort in south-east Côte d'Ivoire, about 94 km by road east of Abidjan and close to the Ghana border. It runs along a narrow strip of sand between the Atlantic and the lagoon, some 15 km long and between 100 and 1,000 metres wide. It is one of Abidjan residents' favourite weekend escapes. Assinie was the first trading post on the Ivorian coast. French missionaries arrived in 1637, and the French built Fort Saint-Louis here between 1701 and 1704, though nothing of that period survives. Well-known films have been shot here, including a famous French comedy in 1978. At its eastern tip is the lagoon mouth, known as La Passe. You see wide white sand, strong waves on the ocean side, and thatched shades with blue seats on the beach. On the lagoon side the water is calm, with long wooden canoes and palm trees leaning over the bank. Villas, huts and small lodges line the strip. It is about 46 km from Grand-Bassam in a straight line. People cross the lagoon by canoe to reach some stretches. The ocean waves are dangerous, so swim only near lifeguards. Book lodging ahead for weekends.
On the ocean side.
Canoes and palms.
The lagoon mouth.
Assinie-Mafia, Sud-Comoé region, Côte d'Ivoire
Ocean waves are strong, so swim near lifeguards or on the lagoon side.
About 94 km by road, roughly two hours with traffic.