The islands in Africa are the perfect choice if you want a tropical vacation with a distinctive touch. These islands provide visitors of all kinds with an amazing experience because to their magnificent natural beauty, fascinating cultures, and thrilling activities.
The islands of Africa have something to offer everyone, whether they are looking for adventure or relaxation on gorgeous beaches.
In this article, the top 12 islands in Africa to visit in 2023 will be highlighted. So, we’ve got you covered whether you’re interested in the lush forests of Sao Tomé and Principe or the colorful coral reefs of Zanzibar.
Ready for this ride, then let’s get right into it with the list of 12 islands in Africa to visit in 2023 below.
- Reunion
- Mauritius
- Nosy Be
- Funzi Island
- Moheli
- Manda Island
- St Croix Island
- Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique
- Lamu Island
- Cape Verde Islands
- Praslin
- Tunisia Island
1. Reunion
Reunion Island is a stunning French territory island situated in the Indian Ocean and sandwiched between Madagascar and Mauritius.
The island was claimed by France in 1665, and today, it is known for its mesmerizing scenery and unique cultural experiences.
The island’s capital city is Saint-Denis, which is a bustling metropolis that offers a colorful blend of history, architecture, and markets.
Reunion Island’s active volcano, Piton de la Fournaise, is a sight to behold and adds to the island’s natural beauty.
The best time to visit Reunion Island is from May to September when the weather is sunny and dry. There are several must-visit attractions on the island, such as the scenic La Barachois seafront park in Saint-Denis, the Grand Galet waterfall, and the sandy Hermitage beach.
Reunion Island also offers many exciting activities, including hiking, parasailing, scuba diving, and nature tours.
2. Mauritius
A beach holiday would be ideal on the lovely African island of Mauritius. Long, beautiful beaches and a diversity of cultures are among its top attractions.
The Dodo bird, which is extinct, once lived on the island. In Mauritius, there are attractions besides beaches.
The Pamplemousses Botanical Garden, for instance, includes approximately 650 distinct plant species.
Because of this, Mauritius is a well-liked travel destination in South Africa. Port Louis, Rodrigues Island, the East Coast Island, the Inland and the Centers, the South, Southeast, West, and Southwest of Mauritius are a few of the best locations to visit.
April through June or September through December are the ideal months to travel to Mauritius.
Mauritius offers a variety of enjoyable activities, like Sea Kayaking in Albion Caves, Zip Lining at Tamarin Waterfall, Hiking to Black River Peak, and Sea Karting in Black River.
Hiking, beach sports, gliding, water skiing, scuba diving, kite surfing, and sea karting are additional activities that you can take part in. One of the most fascinating islands in Africa is Mauritius.
3. Nosy Be
If you love natural beauty, you’ll want to visit the small Island of Nosy Be in Madagascar. It’s a dream destination that has peaceful surroundings, turquoise water, and amazing seafood restaurants right by the sand.
Madagascar is the fourth-largest Island in the world and has a wide variety of plants and animals. On the Island of Nosy Be by the Indian Ocean, you’ll find luxury restaurants, places to stay, and shops.
The best time to visit Nosy Be in Madagascar is from May to October. Some important places to see in Nosy Be include Andilana, Nosy Iramja, Lemuria Land, and Mont Passot.
There are many activities to enjoy in Nosy Be, such as scuba diving, watching the sunset from Mont Passot, kayaking, attending the Nosy Be Jazz Festival, and going horse-riding with Ambaro Ranch.
4. Funzi Island
Funzi Island is a beautiful Island located off the south coast of Kenya. It has a wide variety of plants and animals, with untouched wetlands, sandy beaches, and mangrove forests.
As you arrive by plane, you’ll see the blue ocean, white sand, and lots of tropical plants. There are no buildings or people in sight for kilometers.
The best time to visit Funzi Island is from June to December. The island has many attractions such as the old town, Pilli Pipa Dhow Safari, and Wasini Island.
You can also participate in activities like the Funzi Island Village Tour, Boat Riding, Creek Fishing, Bird Watching, Kayaking, and Beach Funfare.
5. Moheli
Moheli, also known as Mwali, is the smallest of the three African islands that make up the country of Comoros.
Moheli Marine Park is located on the island and is the only national park in Comoros. It’s rich in marine life such as sea turtles, dolphins, and whales.
Moheli is 290 square kilometers and has a population of 38,000. The best time to visit Moheli is between April and November.
There are many beautiful places to visit such as Nioumachoua Beach, Chissioua Ouénéfou, and Miringoni Beach. You can participate in activities like fishing, snorkeling, whale watching, boating, and sailing while in Moheli.
6. Manda Island
Manda Island is one of many islands in the Lamu archipelago, Kenys. It used to be a busy port back in the ninth century, with two towns called Takwa and Manda.
However, due to lack of water, the towns were abandoned in the early 19th century. Nowadays, you can visit Manda Island any time of the year.
The top attractions on the island are Rhythms at Rainbow Beach, Buck Island Reef National Monument, and Machilla Magi.
You can do a variety of activities on Manda Island like camel safaris, sightseeing, windsurfing, motorboat excursions, banana boat rides, kayaking, snorkeling, water skiing, wakeboarding, and sailing on a traditional boat called a dhow.
7. St Croix Island
St. Croix is a beautiful island that is famous for its sugar plantations, white sand beaches, and coral reef that’s great for scuba diving and snorkeling.
The island has two main towns, Christiansted and Frederiksted, which have a colonial appearance with colorful houses and shaded arcades.
St. Croix is also a sanctuary for hundreds of African penguin colonies. You can reach the island via boat charters, but landing restrictions only permit boats to approach.
The best time to visit is from April to May or September to October. The popular attractions on the island include Buck Island Reef National Monument, Rhythms at Rainbow Beach, and Point Udall.
Activities you can enjoy in St. Croix include horseback riding, cooking classes, and renting snorkeling gear.
8. Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique
Bazaruto is a beautiful place with lots of different plants and animals. You can see over 2000 kinds of fish there, like dolphins and whales.
Bazaruto is actually a group of six islands off the coast of Vilanculos and Inhassoro and the biggest one is Bazaruto Island.
The best time to visit is from May to November when it’s dry. You can stay at places like Sunset Dhow Safari, Moz Islands & Safaris, or Machilla Magic. Fun things to do there include scuba diving, fishing, and snorkeling.
9. Lamu Island
Lamu Island is an ancient island in East Africa that is home to Swahili communities. Since there are no roads, the island has few vehicles, only paths and alleys.
The island’s unique architecture features inner courtyards and intricately carved wooden doors. The Lamu Museum is part of the National Museums of Kenya and showcases the island’s cultural heritage.
The island has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001 and has been a center of Islamic culture for over 700 years.
Visitors to the island can enjoy luxury hotels with a “barefoot” feel. The best time to visit is during the dry season from July to October, as well as in January and February.
Some of the top attractions include the Lamu Museum, Shela Beach, and Halal Safaris. Visitors can also engage in activities such as sailing on a Dhow, visiting Shela Village, enjoying local cuisine, visiting Manda Island, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
10. Cape Verde Islands
Cape Verde is an important island located on the western coast that serves as a gateway to other African islands.
Sal, which is part of Cape Verde, is one of the most beautiful islands in Africa. Santa Maria, a famous town, is located in Sal.
Cape Verde turtles are always ready to welcome visitors, no matter the season. Visitors to Cape Verde can even adopt a baby sea turtle and receive a certificate.
The best time to visit Cape Verde is from November to June. There are many great places to see here, such as Praia de Santa Maria, Praia de Chaves, Cidade Velha, and São Vicente.
In Cape Verde, you can enjoy activities such as hiking, water sports, horse riding, surfing, and diving.
11. Praslin
Praslin Island is the second biggest island in Seychelles. It used to be a safe haven for pirates and Arab traders, but today it’s a popular place for vacations with many hotels and beach resorts.
On the island, you can see tropical forests with unique animals like Seychelles black parrots and Seychelles bulbuls.
Praslin Island is less crowded than Mahe and more relaxed than La Digue, making it a great place to unwind.
You can start a trip to St. Pierre, Curieuse, or Cousine Island from here. The three largest towns on Praslin are Baie St. Anne, Grand Anse, and Cote D’Or.
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The best time to visit Praslin is between May and October. Top places to visit on the island include Anse Volbert, Fond Ferdinand Nature Reserve, and Vallée de Mai. Popular activities on Praslin are sightseeing, nightlife, and sunbathing.
12. Tunisia Island
Tunisia has about 30 islands, but the most famous one is Djerba. It’s the largest island in North Africa, located off the southern coast of Tunisia.
People speak Beber language in Djerba, and visitors can explore Tunisian and Arab-Islamic history at the Lalla Hadhria Museum, which has over 1,000 artworks in 15 galleries.
The tourism sector was hit hard after a terrorist attack in 2015, but it’s starting to recover. Djerba is a popular destination with sandy beaches, beach sports, and great restaurants.
The best time to visit Tunisia’s islands is during the summer season from May to October. Popular attractions include the Amphitheater of El Jem, Ribat of Sousse, and Djerba Explore Park.
Source
https://www.africaincoming.com/blog/best-islands-africa
