Grand-Popo's beach is one of the finest stretches of coast in West Africa and one of the least visited. The Atlantic crashes in with real force here — the undertow is strong enough to make swimming dangerous, and locals will tell you so — but the atmosphere is wonderful: kilometres of coarse sand, coconut palms leaning over the water, and nothing built for tourism beyond a few small bars. Walk ten minutes in either direction from the town and you will likely have the beach to yourself.
The best time to be on the beach is early morning or late afternoon, when the light is low and the fishing pirogues are coming in or going out. The fishermen dry their catches on the beach and repair nets in the shade of the palms. It is one of those places where watching daily life is more interesting than any organised activity.