Mogadishu beaches, Somalia with photos and videos, the question is, does Somalia have good beaches? Of course yes. Here are the best Beaches in Mogadishu, Somalia.
Mogadishu Beaches, Somalia
Africa is a place that many people associate with having boisterous wildlife, but there is a lot more to the second biggest continent of the world that is not known to the common man. Apart from being brimming with some of the world’s biggest things, including the largest desert (the Sahara) and the longest river (Nile), the land with inarguably the most diverse cultural heritage has many beautiful tourist attractions that are bound to take your breath away.
One such feature is the beaches the continent is blessed with, which is what we will be talking about today. Located in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, the Lido, the Jazeera, and the Warsheekh Beach have been hosting hundreds of families every weekend, and are locations that tourists try to make time for during their stay in the city.
Here are top 3 Mogadishu Beaches.
Mogadishu Beaches 1: The Lido Beach
The name ‘Lido’ is derived from the Italian term for “beaches”. Located in northern Mogadishu, it is often referred to as the Liido Beach (Somali: Xeebta Liido) by the locals, and surprisingly, houses a lot of history.
The beach was first developed for the Italian colonists living in Italian Somalia’s capital in the late 1930s. Fast forward 20 years, the development came to a finish at the hands of the Italian administration under the United Nations (UN) rule, who also participated in the expansion of a nearby hotel, the then-tallest building in Mogadishu.
But the beach could not thrive for long, for the country went to war that lasted for decades. During this extended period of anarchy and violence in the city, the beach was abandoned, and its condition worsened. There were road blocks on its way and it was declared as a ‘no-go zone’ by Al-Shabaab Islamic militants.
Moreover, the hotel near the Lido Beach, the Elite, was targeted and attacked by Al-Shabaab on 16th August 2020, who had blown up a car bomb and caught itself in a skirmish involving a firefight with the Somali security forces. This attack was condemned by the UN, whose Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, James Swan, extended “deepest condolences to the families of the victims.”
Since then, however, the beach saw a revival, especially in the last decade, as it was once again redeveloped to be adequate enough for tourists to visit and enjoy. The credit for this rehabilitation goes mostly to the Somalian diaspora.
At present, the beach has become a layover stop for families during the weekends to relax and spend time with each other. It offers an amazing view of the skyline where you can watch the sun setting in all its glory. Since it is also a tourist destination, the beach is not short of beachfront resorts where you can enjoy the view of the landform, parks, as well as seafood restaurants that offer delicious food, the most renowned of which is the Lido Seafood Resturant.
One hotel that is recommended a ton is the formerly mentioned Elite Hotel, which, apart from par excellence service that includes massage therapies and spa days, also offers a view of the attraction that is unmatched.
Mogadishu Beaches 2: The Jazeera Beach
Jazeera Beach, South West Somalia, also known as Gezira Beach (Xeebta Jasiira or Xeebta Jaziira in Somali), this beach faces the Somali Sea which is near the capital city Mogadishu — to be specific, it is located 13 kilometers south of Mogadishu. As part of the seagoing custom of the Somalis, locals come to Jazeera Beach on the weekends to loosen up and enjoy the temperate, serene waters.
It is becoming increasingly popular among both the youth and the tourists and is encompassed by a vast number of hotels, restaurants, and accommodates recreational activities like boat riding, which themselves have been multiplying as time goes by.
Tourists, mostly hailing from Malaysia, America, Italy, the UK, Germany, and Turkey come to Jazeera Beach for sightseeing. There is also an animal market in Jazeera where camels, cows, goats, sheep, and wildlife are sold, which the tourists can make a stop at, along with checking out the salt mining processes located nearby.
One distinctive quality of this beach is that it also abodes a small island, which goes by the name Arim Omascia, that can be accessed by renting a boat. Local Somali chefs always have fish BBQ ready for onlookers, with other organic dishes to accompany it. There is also another famous restaurant that goes by the name ‘The Village’ which is run by a foreigner, making the food served a delicacy for tourists and locals alike.
Other locals are also spotted selling souvenirs such as distinctive shells that are specific to Somalian shores, as well as exotic necklaces and similar jewellery items. It is due to these reasons the beach is jam-packed on the weekends, so it might be a better idea to plan ahead to savour all the goodness Jazeera has to offer.
Mogadishu Beaches 3: Warsheekh Beach
Warsheekh Beach, Hirshabelle, a town about 40km away from Mogadishu, was a popular attraction for Sufi followers who came to town to visit the tombs of various Sufi clerics and saints buried. This town also inhabits a beach, which was a renowned getaway spot for locals.
The beach had closed its borders for the capital city when the pandemic was reaching a high back in April of 2020, but has since then begun running its operation. One interesting thing this beach has to offer is the dolphins, which, if you are lucky enough, can be seen swimming in the waters.
Somalia has the longest coastline in Africa with 3100 km along the Indian Ocean, so you may not be surprised to find out that the country had a reputation as a tourist attraction having the most pristine beaches back in the early 1900s.
That distinction has since then faded because of the civil war in 1991, which also contributed to the increasing reproach the country has faced in recent years, but that does not mean that the landforms have lost their appeal entirely.
With the bluest seawater, warm weather all year round, salty air, and the delectable aroma of seafood being cooked nearby, the Mogadishu beaches, referred to as the “new face of Somalia” by locals, are definitely a sight for sore eyes and are always ready to host visiting tourists and returning diaspora alike.
Writer: Mustafa Mmj