Berbera's beach is an extraordinary thing: kilometres of white sand on the Gulf of Aden, warm turquoise water, and virtually no one on it. The beach runs along the coast west of the town, backed by low dunes and the occasional acacia, with the Red Sea Hills visible inland. In the early morning, before the sun becomes oppressive, it is one of the most beautiful beaches in East Africa.
The water is warm year-round, clear, and home to good snorkelling on the shallow reefs a short distance offshore. The beach is safe for swimming — no significant currents in the bay — though the afternoon heat from May onwards makes midday visits inadvisable. Local fishermen work the beach at dawn and dusk, pulling boats up the sand and sorting their catch. The fishing boats are brightly painted wooden dhows, built in a tradition that has not changed much in centuries.
There are no beach facilities, restaurants, or sun loungers. Bring your own water and shade.