The wide sand
Facing the Lagos towers.
Liesel81 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Liesel81 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · OfficialKOL — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Liesel81 — CC BY-SA 4.0
Tarkwa Bay Beach is a sheltered artificial beach near the entrance to Lagos harbour, in Nigeria's largest city. It sits on an island reached only by boat or water taxi, so it feels far from the crowds despite being close to them. Swimmers and water-sports fans come here, above all at weekends, when Lagos residents arrive to escape the heat. The beach formed in a spot protected from heavy waves by the harbour breakwaters, so its water is calmer than the open ocean beaches nearby. In recent years it has suffered plastic pollution and an oil spill, and clean-up drives have collected over 180,000 pieces of plastic from the coastal waters. Small fishing communities live on its edges. You see wide pale sand, short waves and, far off, the modern towers of Lagos on the other shore. To one side are the rocks of the harbour breakwater and a small jetty among trees. Visitors hire chairs and thatched shades for the day. Late afternoon is finest, when the heat eases and the sky colours. The National Museum is about 5 km away in a straight line. Boats leave from several jetties on Lagos Island, so choose a licensed boat and ask for a life jacket. Agree the return fare and time first. Check the flags before swimming, and keep an eye on your belongings.
Facing the Lagos towers.
Across the harbour.
Colour over the water.
Near the Lagos harbour entrance, Nigeria
By boat or water taxi from Lagos Island jetties, so pick a licensed operator.
The water is calmer than open beaches, but ask about conditions before going in.