Best Beaches

Best for: First-time visitors, convenience, nightlife

The main tourist beach with hotels, restaurants, and beach bars right on the sand. Lively atmosphere with
beach vendors, sun loungers for hire, and easy access to facilities.

Highlights

• Walking distance from Senegambia strip
• Beach bars and restaurants
• Sun lounger hire available
• Water sports on offer

Watch Out For

• Beach vendors can be persistent
• More crowded than other beaches
• Bumsters frequent this area

Location: Kololi, in front of Senegambia Beach Hotel

Best for: Stunning scenery, photography, quieter vibes

A beautiful rocky coastline with dramatic views. Less swimming, more scenery. The beach below Cape Point has
golden sand and fewer tourists.

Highlights

• Spectacular sunset views
• Less crowded than Kololi
• Great for photography
• Near Bakau fish market

Location: Bakau, northern end of the tourist strip

Best for: Quiet beach days, families, nature lovers

Quieter alternative to Kololi with nice sand and calm waters. Adjacent to Bijilo Forest Park, so you can
combine beach and wildlife.

Highlights

• Less touristy, more relaxed
• Next to Bijilo Forest Park (monkeys!)
• Some beach bars are available
• Good for swimming

Location: Bijilo, south of Kololi

Best for: Authentic experience, seafood, adventure

A truly beautiful, unspoilt beach that’s becoming popular with travellers seeking the “real” Gambia. Watch
local fishermen bring in their catch, then eat fresh-grilled fish at beach restaurants.

Highlights

• 🐟 Fresh seafood straight from the boats
• 🏝️ Beautiful, uncrowded beach
• 👀 Watch traditional fishing
• 🍺 Relaxed beach bars
• 🌅 Stunning sunsets

Getting There

45 minutes by taxi from Kololi (D400-600 one way)

Location: Sanyang village, south of the main tourist strip

Best for: Photography, cultural experience, fish market

Famous for its colourful fishing boats (pirogues) and the bustling Tanji fish market. The beach itself is
working rather than touristy, but incredibly photogenic.

Highlights

• 📸 Incredible photo opportunities
• 🐟 Largest fish market in The Gambia
• 🚣 Hundreds of colourful boats
• 👥 Authentic local atmosphere

Best time: Late afternoon when boats return (4-6pm)

Location: Tanji village, 30 mins from Kololi

Best for: Eco-tourism, bird watching, getting away from it all

The most remote tourist beach, near the Senegal border. Completely unspoilt with barely any development.
Visit Kartong Bird Observatory and Reptile Farm nearby.

Highlights

• 🦜 World-class bird watching
• 🏝️ Completely empty beaches
• 🐢 Turtle nesting site
• 🌿 Eco-lodges available

Location: Kartong, southern Gambia (1 hour from Kololi)

Best for: Day trip, beach bar, dancing

A popular beach bar destination rather than just a beach. Great for a day trip with music, drinks, and good
vibes. Popular with locals on weekends.

Highlights

• 🎵 Music and dancing
• 🍹 Good beach bar
• 🏊 Swimming area
• 🎉 Weekend parties

Location: Near Sanyang, 45 mins from Kololi