Africa’s coastline is a patchwork of sheltered inlets, wide open gulfs and historic harbors shaped by currents, trade and geology. From Mediterranean shores to the southern Atlantic, bays have long guided shipping, fishing and settlement patterns across the continent.
There are 45 Bays in Africa, ranging from Abu Qir Bay to Walvis Bay. Each entry lists Country, Coordinates (lat, lon), Nearest city/settlement, Description (30-50 words) so you can scan location, context and a brief note about importance or features — you’ll find these details below.
How were the bays chosen and what does each column mean?
The list focuses on widely recognized bays with clear names and mapped coordinates, balancing geographic spread and historical or economic relevance. Country gives national jurisdiction; Coordinates (lat, lon) let you map the bay precisely; Nearest city/settlement shows the closest populated place; Description (30-50 words) summarizes key features, uses or notable history.
Is this list suitable for planning visits or research?
Yes for preliminary planning and basic research: coordinates and nearby settlements help with mapping and logistics, while descriptions flag points of interest. Always confirm local conditions, access rules and up-to-date charts or guides before traveling or citing for academic work.
Bays in Africa
| Name | Country | Coordinates (lat, lon) | Nearest city/settlement | Description (30-50 words) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Table Bay | South Africa | -33.86, 18.42 | Cape Town | Iconic crescent-shaped bay fronting Cape Town, framed by Table Mountain. Busy port with historic harbor, ferries to Robben Island, and popular beaches. Key maritime gateway to South Africa, known for windsurfing, naval history, and dramatic mountain-to-sea scenery. |
| False Bay | South Africa | -34.10, 18.45 | Simon’s Town | Large southern bay near Cape Town, opening to the Atlantic and sheltered by the Cape Peninsula. Renowned for great white shark activity, seaside towns like Simon’s Town, and seasonal whale sightings. Important fishing and recreational waters. |
| Saldanha Bay | South Africa | -33.01, 17.95 | Saldanha | Deep natural bay on South Africa’s West Coast offering one of the country’s major natural harbors. Important for fishing, bulk cargo and ore handling, surrounded by scrubland; known for sheltered anchorage and the nearby town of Saldanha. |
| St Helena Bay | South Africa | -32.78, 17.98 | Vredenburg | Shallow bay on the West Coast known for rich fishing grounds and abundant rock lobster. Noted for calm waters, fertile marine life, and small coastal towns; historically visited by early explorers and now valued for fisheries. |
| Algoa Bay | South Africa | -33.92, 25.61 | Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) | Broad Indian Ocean bay off Gqeberha with sandy beaches and offshore islands. Important shipping lanes, notable for marine biodiversity including dolphins and whales; popular for seaside resorts and water sports. |
| Mossel Bay | South Africa | -34.20, 22.13 | Mossel Bay | Protected bay along the Garden Route with a natural harbor and rich maritime history, including early European exploration. Popular for whale watching, beaches, fishing, and the tourism-focused town of Mossel Bay. |
| Plettenberg Bay | South Africa | -34.05, 23.37 | Plettenberg Bay | Scenic bay on the Garden Route known for long sandy beaches, marine wildlife and upscale tourism. Plettenberg Bay town serves as a base for nature reserves, lagoon activities, and popular whale- and dolphin-watching tours. |
| Walker Bay | South Africa | -34.43, 19.23 | Hermanus | South African bay famed for seasonal southern right whale breeding and dramatic coastal cliffs. Located near Hermanus and Gansbaai, it’s a hotspot for whale-watching, coastal hikes, and shark-cage diving nearby. |
| Richards Bay | South Africa | -28.77, 32.07 | Richards Bay | Industrial and shipping bay on the KwaZulu‑Natal coast with a large deepwater port handling coal and bulk exports. Surrounding wetlands and beaches contrast with heavy industry; the town of Richards Bay developed around the harbor. |
| Durban Bay | South Africa | -29.87, 31.03 | Durban | Natural inlet on South Africa’s east coast housing Durban’s port complex and beaches. A busy passenger and cargo hub with warm Indian Ocean waters, popular surfing spots, and a long seaside promenade. |
| Walvis Bay | Namibia | -22.96, 14.51 | Walvis Bay | Sandwich-lagoon style bay in Namibia with an important port and extensive salt pans. Rich birdlife in the lagoon, commercial fisheries, and nearby dunes make it an unusual blend of industry and coastal nature. |
| Lüderitz Bay | Namibia | -26.65, 15.16 | Lüderitz | Remote Atlantic bay in Namibia with a protected harbor at Lüderitz town. Known for colonial German architecture, desolate diamond‑mining coastline, and nearby desert landscapes that meet the sea. |
| Maputo Bay | Mozambique | -25.97, 32.58 | Maputo | Large estuarine bay on Mozambique’s southern coast by the city of Maputo. Important shipping channel and scenic mangroves, popular for seafood, boat trips, and as a gateway to Inhaca Island and coastal tourism. |
| Inhambane Bay | Mozambique | -23.86, 35.38 | Inhambane | Sheltered bay in southern Mozambique fronting the historic town of Inhambane. Known for clear waters, nearby Bazaruto Archipelago, seafood, and as a center for dhow trips, snorkeling and laid-back coastal culture. |
| Dar es Salaam Bay | Tanzania | -6.82, 39.27 | Dar es Salaam | Natural bay protecting Tanzania’s largest city and port, with ferry connections to nearby islands. Busy maritime hub blending commercial shipping, fishing activities, and waterfront neighborhoods amid tropical coastal scenery. |
| Kilifi Bay | Kenya | -3.63, 39.85 | Kilifi | Reef‑lined bay on Kenya’s coast near Kilifi town and the Kilifi Creek. Favored for kayaking, snorkeling and sandy shores, it’s a quieter alternative to Mombasa with mangroves and coastal villages. |
| Mombasa Bay | Kenya | -4.05, 39.67 | Mombasa | Curving bay around Kenya’s port city of Mombasa, mixing busy shipping with tourist beaches on its outer edges. Historic Old Town, a natural harbor, and ferries to nearby islands make it a maritime gateway. |
| Toamasina Bay | Madagascar | -18.15, 49.39 | Toamasina (Tamatave) | Harbor bay on Madagascar’s east coast at Toamasina, the island’s main port. Busy with cargo and fishing vessels, it’s a commercial lifeline surrounded by palm-lined beaches and tropical trade. |
| Antongil Bay | Madagascar | -15.87, 49.96 | Maroantsetra | Large bay on Madagascar’s northeast coast opening into the Masoala peninsula and rainforest. Noted for whale watching, fishing communities, and as the inlet for river systems into biodiverse coastal habitats. |
| Diego‑Suarez Bay | Madagascar | -12.28, 49.29 | Antsiranana | Deep natural bay at Antsiranana (Diego‑Suarez) in northern Madagascar, historically strategic and scenically dramatic with a narrow entrance and sheltered anchorage; a gateway to northern reefs and coastal towns. |
| Grand Bay | Mauritius | 20.07, 57.58 | Grand Baie | Popular northern Mauritius bay and resort town (Grand Baie) known for calm waters, sailing, nightlife and beach tourism. A tourism hub with shops, restaurants and access to snorkeling and boat trips. |
| Blue Bay | Mauritius | -20.43, 57.73 | Mahébourg | Protected marine bay near Mahébourg, Mauritius, famous for clear shallow waters and a marine park with coral reefs. A favored day-trip spot for snorkeling, glass-bottom boats and family beaches. |
| Beau Vallon Bay | Seychelles | -4.62, 55.45 | Beau Vallon (Mahé) | Wide sheltered bay on Mahé, Seychelles, with the island’s busiest beach at Beau Vallon. Known for swimming, diving, lively resorts, and dramatic granite hills as a scenic backdrop. |
| Porto Grande Bay | Cape Verde | 16.88, -24.99 | Mindelo | Deep natural bay at Mindelo, São Vicente, Cape Verde, forming a strategic harbor. Busy with fishing and transatlantic connections, it’s central to Mindelo’s cultural life and maritime economy. |
| Abu Qir Bay | Egypt | 31.31, 30.02 | Alexandria | Egyptian bay east of Alexandria, known historically for naval battles and archaeological wrecks. Shallow waters, marshes, and coastal towns make it significant for fisheries and coastal heritage tourism. |
| Mersa Matruh Bay | Egypt | 31.35, 27.23 | Mersa Matruh | Mediterranean bay on Egypt’s northwest coast at Mersa Matruh, noted for clear blue waters, sandy beaches and resorts. Popular with domestic tourists and known for quiet, family‑friendly seaside towns. |
| Dakhla Bay | Western Sahara (admin. Morocco) | 23.69, -15.91 | Dakhla | Large shallow bay on the Atlantic coast of Western Sahara near Dakhla, famed for wind and kite sports, fishing, and a long peninsula creating sheltered waters and dune-backed beaches. |
| Casablanca Bay | Morocco | 33.53, -7.61 | Casablanca | Urban Atlantic bay fronting Morocco’s largest city, Casablanca, with industrial ports and coastal corniche promenades. Mixes shipping activity, modern beachfront developments, and commuter suburbs along the shore. |
| Agadir Bay | Morocco | 30.42, -9.60 | Agadir | Broad Moroccan bay by Agadir with wide beaches, a modern resort city and a fishing port. Renowned for warm climate, surfing, seaside promenades, and as a major Atlantic tourism destination. |
| Tangier Bay | Morocco | 35.79, -5.82 | Tangier | Strategic bay at Morocco’s northern tip near Tangier, where Atlantic and Mediterranean influences meet. Busy ports, historic medina views, and ferries to Spain make it a transcontinental maritime crossroads. |
| Bissau Bay | Guinea‑Bissau | 11.87, -15.58 | Bissau | Shallow bay around Guinea‑Bissau’s capital, Bissau, comprising mangroves and tidal flats. Important for local fisheries, traditional pirogues, and access to the offshore Bijagós Archipelago biodiversity hotspots. |
| Dakar Bay | Senegal | 14.69, -17.44 | Dakar | Indentation on Senegal’s western tip at Dakar, featuring a busy port, fishing fleets, and sandy beaches. The bay is a cultural and transport hub with ferries and views toward Gorée Island. |
| Conakry Bay | Guinea | 9.53, -13.68 | Conakry | Bay at Guinea’s capital Conakry forming a peninsula with several small islands. Busy port facilities, fishing communities, and coastal markets define this sheltered but bustling maritime area. |
| Mesurado Bay | Liberia | 6.30, -10.80 | Monrovia | Small bay at Monrovia, Liberia, where the Mesurado River meets the Atlantic. Site of the capital’s port, historic settlements, busy waterfront commerce, and ferry connections to riverine communities. |
| Praia Bay | Cape Verde | 14.92, -23.51 | Praia | Natural bay on Santiago island in Cape Verde hosting the capital, Praia. The bay provides the city’s harbor, coastal promenades and serves as a hub for inter-island ferry and fishing activity. |
| Chwaka Bay | Tanzania | -6.17, 39.60 | Chwaka | Large shallow bay on Zanzibar’s east coast with mangroves, seagrass beds and small fishing villages. Noted for biodiversity, traditional dhow traffic, and nearby coral reefs for snorkeling. |
| Naama Bay | Egypt | 27.91, 34.33 | Sharm el‑Sheikh | Tourist-focused bay at Sharm el‑Sheikh on Egypt’s Sinai coast, famed for beaches, dive centers, and clear Red Sea waters. A modern resort strip with hotels, restaurants, and recreational boating. |
| Port Sudan Bay | Sudan | 19.62, 37.22 | Port Sudan | Red Sea bay serving Port Sudan with long piers and shipping facilities. Key commercial port for eastern Sudan, surrounded by arid landscapes and functioning as a regional maritime gateway. |
| Massawa Bay | Eritrea | 15.61, 39.45 | Massawa | Red Sea bay at Massawa, Eritrea, with a historic port and old town. Its island-dotted entrance and Ottoman‑era architecture make it a mix of maritime trade history and coastal culture. |
| Hammamet Bay | Tunisia | 36.37, 10.62 | Hammamet | Mediterranean bay in Tunisia at Hammamet, noted for wide sandy beaches, resort tourism and citrus-backed landscapes. The bay’s calm waters and coastal resorts attract European holidaymakers. |
| Bay of Algiers | Algeria | 36.77, 3.05 | Algiers | Prominent Mediterranean bay fronting Algeria’s capital, Algiers, with historic waterfront, port facilities and the Casbah overlooking the harbor. It’s a central hub of commerce, transport and urban life. |
| Bay of Oran | Algeria | 35.69, -0.64 | Oran | Coastal bay surrounding Oran in northwest Algeria, combining port infrastructure, beaches and historic fortifications. Oran’s maritime position supports trade, fishing, and seaside tourism. |
| Murchison Bay | Uganda | 0.05, 32.45 | Entebbe | Southern arm of Lake Victoria near Entebbe, with calm waters, ferry routes and wetlands. Home to lakeside settlements, fishing activity and access to nearby Entebbe Airport and wildlife areas. |
| Nkhata Bay | Malawi | -11.62, 34.29 | Nkhata Bay | Deep bay on Lake Malawi, centering the resort town of Nkhata Bay. Renowned for clear freshwater, diving, fishing villages and as a transport link along the lake’s scenic western shore. |
| Monkey Bay | Malawi | -14.03, 34.94 | Monkey Bay | Bay and town on Lake Malawi’s southern shore known for beaches, fishing and boat trips to nearby islands. A laid-back lakeside hub for tourists and local commerce within a freshwater national park region. |
Images and Descriptions
Table Bay
Iconic crescent-shaped bay fronting Cape Town, framed by Table Mountain. Busy port with historic harbor, ferries to Robben Island, and popular beaches. Key maritime gateway to South Africa, known for windsurfing, naval history, and dramatic mountain-to-sea scenery.
False Bay
Large southern bay near Cape Town, opening to the Atlantic and sheltered by the Cape Peninsula. Renowned for great white shark activity, seaside towns like Simon’s Town, and seasonal whale sightings. Important fishing and recreational waters.
Saldanha Bay
Deep natural bay on South Africa’s West Coast offering one of the country’s major natural harbors. Important for fishing, bulk cargo and ore handling, surrounded by scrubland; known for sheltered anchorage and the nearby town of Saldanha.
St Helena Bay
Shallow bay on the West Coast known for rich fishing grounds and abundant rock lobster. Noted for calm waters, fertile marine life, and small coastal towns; historically visited by early explorers and now valued for fisheries.
Algoa Bay
Broad Indian Ocean bay off Gqeberha with sandy beaches and offshore islands. Important shipping lanes, notable for marine biodiversity including dolphins and whales; popular for seaside resorts and water sports.
Mossel Bay
Protected bay along the Garden Route with a natural harbor and rich maritime history, including early European exploration. Popular for whale watching, beaches, fishing, and the tourism-focused town of Mossel Bay.
Plettenberg Bay
Scenic bay on the Garden Route known for long sandy beaches, marine wildlife and upscale tourism. Plettenberg Bay town serves as a base for nature reserves, lagoon activities, and popular whale- and dolphin-watching tours.
Walker Bay
South African bay famed for seasonal southern right whale breeding and dramatic coastal cliffs. Located near Hermanus and Gansbaai, it’s a hotspot for whale-watching, coastal hikes, and shark-cage diving nearby.
Richards Bay
Industrial and shipping bay on the KwaZulu‑Natal coast with a large deepwater port handling coal and bulk exports. Surrounding wetlands and beaches contrast with heavy industry; the town of Richards Bay developed around the harbor.
Durban Bay
Natural inlet on South Africa’s east coast housing Durban’s port complex and beaches. A busy passenger and cargo hub with warm Indian Ocean waters, popular surfing spots, and a long seaside promenade.
Walvis Bay
Sandwich-lagoon style bay in Namibia with an important port and extensive salt pans. Rich birdlife in the lagoon, commercial fisheries, and nearby dunes make it an unusual blend of industry and coastal nature.
Lüderitz Bay
Remote Atlantic bay in Namibia with a protected harbor at Lüderitz town. Known for colonial German architecture, desolate diamond‑mining coastline, and nearby desert landscapes that meet the sea.
Maputo Bay
Large estuarine bay on Mozambique’s southern coast by the city of Maputo. Important shipping channel and scenic mangroves, popular for seafood, boat trips, and as a gateway to Inhaca Island and coastal tourism.
Inhambane Bay
Sheltered bay in southern Mozambique fronting the historic town of Inhambane. Known for clear waters, nearby Bazaruto Archipelago, seafood, and as a center for dhow trips, snorkeling and laid-back coastal culture.
Dar es Salaam Bay
Natural bay protecting Tanzania’s largest city and port, with ferry connections to nearby islands. Busy maritime hub blending commercial shipping, fishing activities, and waterfront neighborhoods amid tropical coastal scenery.
Kilifi Bay
Reef‑lined bay on Kenya’s coast near Kilifi town and the Kilifi Creek. Favored for kayaking, snorkeling and sandy shores, it’s a quieter alternative to Mombasa with mangroves and coastal villages.
Mombasa Bay
Curving bay around Kenya’s port city of Mombasa, mixing busy shipping with tourist beaches on its outer edges. Historic Old Town, a natural harbor, and ferries to nearby islands make it a maritime gateway.
Toamasina Bay
Harbor bay on Madagascar’s east coast at Toamasina, the island’s main port. Busy with cargo and fishing vessels, it’s a commercial lifeline surrounded by palm-lined beaches and tropical trade.
Antongil Bay
Large bay on Madagascar’s northeast coast opening into the Masoala peninsula and rainforest. Noted for whale watching, fishing communities, and as the inlet for river systems into biodiverse coastal habitats.
Diego‑Suarez Bay
Deep natural bay at Antsiranana (Diego‑Suarez) in northern Madagascar, historically strategic and scenically dramatic with a narrow entrance and sheltered anchorage; a gateway to northern reefs and coastal towns.
Grand Bay
Popular northern Mauritius bay and resort town (Grand Baie) known for calm waters, sailing, nightlife and beach tourism. A tourism hub with shops, restaurants and access to snorkeling and boat trips.
Blue Bay
Protected marine bay near Mahébourg, Mauritius, famous for clear shallow waters and a marine park with coral reefs. A favored day-trip spot for snorkeling, glass-bottom boats and family beaches.
Beau Vallon Bay
Wide sheltered bay on Mahé, Seychelles, with the island’s busiest beach at Beau Vallon. Known for swimming, diving, lively resorts, and dramatic granite hills as a scenic backdrop.
Porto Grande Bay
Deep natural bay at Mindelo, São Vicente, Cape Verde, forming a strategic harbor. Busy with fishing and transatlantic connections, it’s central to Mindelo’s cultural life and maritime economy.
Abu Qir Bay
Egyptian bay east of Alexandria, known historically for naval battles and archaeological wrecks. Shallow waters, marshes, and coastal towns make it significant for fisheries and coastal heritage tourism.
Mersa Matruh Bay
Mediterranean bay on Egypt’s northwest coast at Mersa Matruh, noted for clear blue waters, sandy beaches and resorts. Popular with domestic tourists and known for quiet, family‑friendly seaside towns.
Dakhla Bay
Large shallow bay on the Atlantic coast of Western Sahara near Dakhla, famed for wind and kite sports, fishing, and a long peninsula creating sheltered waters and dune-backed beaches.
Casablanca Bay
Urban Atlantic bay fronting Morocco’s largest city, Casablanca, with industrial ports and coastal corniche promenades. Mixes shipping activity, modern beachfront developments, and commuter suburbs along the shore.
Agadir Bay
Broad Moroccan bay by Agadir with wide beaches, a modern resort city and a fishing port. Renowned for warm climate, surfing, seaside promenades, and as a major Atlantic tourism destination.
Tangier Bay
Strategic bay at Morocco’s northern tip near Tangier, where Atlantic and Mediterranean influences meet. Busy ports, historic medina views, and ferries to Spain make it a transcontinental maritime crossroads.
Bissau Bay
Shallow bay around Guinea‑Bissau’s capital, Bissau, comprising mangroves and tidal flats. Important for local fisheries, traditional pirogues, and access to the offshore Bijagós Archipelago biodiversity hotspots.
Dakar Bay
Indentation on Senegal’s western tip at Dakar, featuring a busy port, fishing fleets, and sandy beaches. The bay is a cultural and transport hub with ferries and views toward Gorée Island.
Conakry Bay
Bay at Guinea’s capital Conakry forming a peninsula with several small islands. Busy port facilities, fishing communities, and coastal markets define this sheltered but bustling maritime area.
Mesurado Bay
Small bay at Monrovia, Liberia, where the Mesurado River meets the Atlantic. Site of the capital’s port, historic settlements, busy waterfront commerce, and ferry connections to riverine communities.
Praia Bay
Natural bay on Santiago island in Cape Verde hosting the capital, Praia. The bay provides the city’s harbor, coastal promenades and serves as a hub for inter-island ferry and fishing activity.
Chwaka Bay
Large shallow bay on Zanzibar’s east coast with mangroves, seagrass beds and small fishing villages. Noted for biodiversity, traditional dhow traffic, and nearby coral reefs for snorkeling.
Naama Bay
Tourist-focused bay at Sharm el‑Sheikh on Egypt’s Sinai coast, famed for beaches, dive centers, and clear Red Sea waters. A modern resort strip with hotels, restaurants, and recreational boating.
Port Sudan Bay
Red Sea bay serving Port Sudan with long piers and shipping facilities. Key commercial port for eastern Sudan, surrounded by arid landscapes and functioning as a regional maritime gateway.
Massawa Bay
Red Sea bay at Massawa, Eritrea, with a historic port and old town. Its island-dotted entrance and Ottoman‑era architecture make it a mix of maritime trade history and coastal culture.
Hammamet Bay
Mediterranean bay in Tunisia at Hammamet, noted for wide sandy beaches, resort tourism and citrus-backed landscapes. The bay’s calm waters and coastal resorts attract European holidaymakers.
Bay of Algiers
Prominent Mediterranean bay fronting Algeria’s capital, Algiers, with historic waterfront, port facilities and the Casbah overlooking the harbor. It’s a central hub of commerce, transport and urban life.
Bay of Oran
Coastal bay surrounding Oran in northwest Algeria, combining port infrastructure, beaches and historic fortifications. Oran’s maritime position supports trade, fishing, and seaside tourism.
Murchison Bay
Southern arm of Lake Victoria near Entebbe, with calm waters, ferry routes and wetlands. Home to lakeside settlements, fishing activity and access to nearby Entebbe Airport and wildlife areas.
Nkhata Bay
Deep bay on Lake Malawi, centering the resort town of Nkhata Bay. Renowned for clear freshwater, diving, fishing villages and as a transport link along the lake’s scenic western shore.
Monkey Bay
Bay and town on Lake Malawi’s southern shore known for beaches, fishing and boat trips to nearby islands. A laid-back lakeside hub for tourists and local commerce within a freshwater national park region.
