2023 Does Ivory Coast Have A Coastline: If So, On What Sea: Expert Tell You

The geography of Ivory Coast: A closer look at its coastline

The Ivory Coast has a long coastline along the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean stretching from the mouth of the Comoé River in the west to the port city of Adiake in the east. The coast consists of a series of lagoons, estuaries and beaches along with small offshore islands. The marine waters surrounding the Ivory Coast are warm and rich in marine life.
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ivory coast, coast, green and black mountain beside sea during sunset — *Photo by* *Massimiliano Morosinotto* / *Unsplash*

Exploring the stunning beaches of Ivory Coast

Many beaches along the Ivory Coast coastline attract tourists for their beautiful landscapes and diverse recreational activities. Grand-Lahou, Petit-Lahou, Assinie, and Assouinde are some of the most popular beaches.

Grand-Lahou has a stunning coastline of around 12.5 kilometers with soft white sand and coconut palm trees. Tourists flock here for swimming, water sports and sunbathing.

Petit-Lahou beach is located 2 kilometers from Grand-Lahou. The calm and serene ambiance make it a more relaxed destination compared to the hustle of Grand-Lahou.

The town of Assinie and its surrounding beaches are major tourist attractions. The calm and tranquil atmosphere coupled with the crystal clear water attracts large numbers of tourists. Activities like:

Swimming
Sunbathing
Surfing along the wild surfing waves of Assinie beach

The beach at Assouinde is less commercialized compared to the others. Tourists can enjoy long walks on the pristine beach, fishing activities and interaction with the local population.

ivory coast, sea, blue sea under blue sky and white clouds during daytime — *Photo by* *Jessica Pamp* / *Unsplash*

The Gulf of Guinea: A maritime treasure

The Gulf of Guinea is a large body of water that extends along the west African coast from Cape Palmas in Liberia to Cape Lopez in Gabon. The coastline of Ivory Coast forms the northern part of the Gulf of Guinea between Liberia and Ghana.

The Gulf has a warm tropical climate with high temperatures, humidity and rainfall throughout the year. These conditions coupled with the upwelling of nutrient-rich deep ocean waters make the Gulf of Guinea an exceptionally diverse marine ecosystem. Some key facts about the Gulf are:

It supports over 2,000 species of fish and hundreds of other forms of marine life
The Gulf harbors species like turtles, whales, sharks, sea urchins and crustaceans
Commercially important species like tuna, marlin, snapper and barracuda thrive here
The Gulf is a major source of seafood for West African countries

For Ivory Coast, the Gulf of Guinea is economically important for:

Fishing: The country’s commercial fishing industry is centered around the Gulf
Shipping: Major ports like Abidjan, San Pedro, etc serve as hubs for international shipping
Tourism: Tourists flock to Ivory Coast’s beaches along the Gulf for swimming, sunbathing and water sports

Overall, the Gulf of Guinea represents an important economic and natural resource for Ivory Coast due to its high marine biodiversity and role in supporting fisheries, shipping and coastal tourism.

ivory coast, beach, two women walking towards the ocean carrying surfboards during day — *Photo by* *Elizeu Dias* / *Unsplash*

Flora and fauna along the Ivory Coast coastline

The geography and climate along the Ivory Coast coastline nurtures a variety of fascinating flora and fauna. Tourists visiting its beaches, lagoons and estuaries can observe:

Over 200 species of birds including herons, egrets, terns and waders that thrive in the estuaries and mudflats.
Sea turtles like the Leatherback turtle that nest on the beaches between May and July. Olive ridley and green sea turtles are also commonly sighted.
Marine mammals like West African manatees that inhabit the lagoons and estuaries, feeding on aquatic plants.
Dolphins, especially common bottlenose and Atlantic humpback dolphins that accompany local fishermen.
Mangrove forests that line the many estuaries and lagoons, dominated by species like red mangroves and black mangroves.
Crocodiles, mainly the long-snouted African sharp-nosed crocodile along the Comoé River and Andokoi Lagoon.

The variety of aquatic and coastal habitats in the Ivory Coast shelters an astounding array of plant and animal species. However, threats from human activities like overfishing, mangrove clearance and pollution are quickly degrading these fragile ecosystems. Protection efforts are urgently needed to safeguard the biodiversity along the Ivory Coast coastline.

ivory coast, sea, closeup photo of green water formation — *Photo by* *Cristian Palmer* / *Unsplash*

More Helpful Guide

Frequently Asked Question

What religions are practiced in Ivory Coast?

The main religions are Islam, Christianity, and indigenous beliefs. Islam is practiced by almost all northern inhabitants. Christians live mainly in the south.