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Woman on beachThe Kombo resort area is delightfully close to the ocean. Beach outings and sunbathing in Gambia are strictly Western ideas—locals usually confine beach visits to exercise sessions or craft/cashew vending. Be warned that the tides and currents along the Gambia's coastline are surprisingly strong, and sinkholes and sand bars are common, though the ocean generally remains on the shallow side a good distance into the water.

There are few lifeguards in the country, so use extreme caution when swimming—it's not a good idea to go into the sea if you’ve come to the beach alone. Remember that if you are caught in a riptide current, the rule is to swim parallel to the shore to escape it, then swim back towards the land.

In some localities the rocks can be quite sharp, so it is recommended avoid swimming or wading near visible outcrops. The same eroded black sandstone offers a great opportunity for tide pooling, but don’t touch the many snails, crabs, rays and fish that can only be found in Africa.

Never, ever touch a jellyfish—even if it is dead and washed up, it can still sting you badly. The sand on Palm tree and boatthe beaches has an especially interesting quicksand like quality in spots where the tide has left but water still saturates the ground.

Some best beaches in Gambia are on the top right of this page.

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Leybato: (Fajara) Hammockamong one of the quiet beaches in Gambia whose name means "by the seashore" in Mandinka, this is a hangout for many ex-pats and Peace Corps/VSO volunteers, as it attracts far less bumsters than the more touristy beaches north at Cape Point and south at Kololi (Senegambia). Leybato offers comfortable hammocks in the shade for naps and reading/schoolwork sessions as well as a restaurant serving food and drinks.

A sandy path affording idyllic views from a cliff can be accessed from the beach—take a right when you emerge from the shady restaurant area and look for any of the several “paths” to get to the top of the cliff where you will see a better defined trail. (The path ends on Atlantic Road, by the huge water tower.)

To get to Leybato, follow the steep dirt path marked by a sign at the end of Kairaba Avenue where it intersects with Atlantic Avenue. To get a taxi to Leybato from the compound, it’s most cheap and convenient to take a ride for about $0.15 towards Bakau, get off at Sabina, and walk from there, though a town trip may be more economical with a carload of people. The sand path goes up a hill and down the other side—when you see the fancy Fajara Village apartments, keep going to the left through the gate, where you will see the cabins on the left and a restaurant area on the right, which you should enter to access the beach.

Cape Point: If you keep walking away from the tourist district, you can find some fairly secluded, peaceful areas, though bumsters are still more visible than at Leybato.

Sanyang beach is about 30 km down the coast, making a very nice retreat for a day trip. Take a taxi from Serekunda garage, look (ask) around for a car to Sanyang. Ask to be let off at the junction in Sanyang; the car will turn left off the main road into the market at precisely this junction, but you should turn right on foot and walk down to the beach. The mile-long walk through outskirts of the village offers some gorgeous countryside. If it’s too hot or long to walk, you could snatch a town trip from one of the numerous yellow taxis that ply the way, but expect to bargain hard.

Tanji
The Tanji beach area is not suitable for sunbathing as it is a fishing village and the water tends to be full of flotsam and jetsam of decaying fish, plastic bags, old fishing nets and general rubbish.  You need to move away about 1/4 of a kilometre from the smoking houses to find a decent place to relax and soak in the Gambian sun.

Kartong
If you really want to get off the beaten track then you should consider travelling to the southern most tip of The Gambia to the delightful, secluded beach at Kartong Village. The area is wonderfully unspoilt in surroundings of nature and wildlife. After a good sunbath there are plenty of activities in the village such as fishing, birdwatching or visiting the local Lemonfish Art Gallery.

Gunjur
On either side of the fishing area Gunjur  offers one of the quietest beaches in The Gambia. Enjoy mile upon mile of unspoilt golden sands occasionally peppered with stone outcrops.



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