10 African Island Countries You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

Whenever we think of traveling to Africa, the very first thing that comes into our mind is “African island countries”. African islands are famous for volcanic landscapes, dramatic landscapes, pot of cultures, crystal-clear waters, rich history and unparalleled beauty.

The island countries of Africa offer a lot to its visitors with unique collection of flora & fauna, pristine beaches and fascinating history.

In this blog post, we are going to show you top 10 African island countries with map and tips while exploring these countries.

African Island Countries Map

Take a look at map of island countries located on African side.

Let’s get started by discussing each African island country in depth.

1. São Tomé and Príncipe

São Tomé and Príncipe Island country is the largest and most prominent country in Africa. The locals of this island generally speak Portuguese language. Located off the west coast of central America with amazing adventurous activities for adventure enthusiasts.

The adrenaline junkies can enjoy life through snorkeling or diving inside the blue waters of the Indian Ocean. To kill boredom and spend some leisure time, it is recommended to sit for bird-watching in the village of fishermen.

Do you know some of the world’s best coffee & chocolate spots are here? Must give them try.

Capital

• São Tomé

Best Time to Visit

• June to September & December to February. 

2. Comoros

Comoros is one of the best East African island countries, located off the east coast of Africa.The lovers of peace, tranquility and nature must go here to spend some quality time with their friends & family.

There’s one thing that you can experience in this country, Swahili and Arabian culture.

In Comoros, Mohéli Marine Park is a must-visit destination for beach goers, nature & cultural enthusiasts. This park is also known for promoting ecotourism activities within Comoros. The friendly locals, pureness and freshness of Mohéli surely captivates and attracts visitors to a greater extent.

Capital

• Moroni

Best Time to Visit

• Visit during dry & cooler season i.e., between May to November.

3. Cape Verde (Cabo Verde)

Looking for best West African island countries near Atlantic Ocean? Go for Cape Verde. This west Africa island country is liked by a lot of tourists and ranked among top-tourist countries and Sal is the most visited destination all over the island. Among top 10 islands in Africa, this country still exists for reason.

Moreover, a prominent part on West African islands map for tourists who want to explore vivid African culture. The word mentioned above “Sal” refers to salt in Portuguese language truly shows its name for white sandy beaches, amazing fun and friendly atmosphere. A perfect spot for honeymoon activities.

Capital

• Praia

Best Time to Visit

• November to June (dry season); avoid August–October (rainy season).

4. Mayotte

Mayotte is located between Madagascar and Mozambique (fourth-largest island) part of the Comoros archipelago. If you want to enjoy the perfect combo of African elegance and French culture, Mayotte should be on your bucket list. The Mayotte’s rich history represents bustling markets with delicious cuisine and activities.

The lush interior of island features waterfalls and hiking trails, perfect for hiking lovers and families. Lagoon diving, colorful markets exploration and ylang-ylang fields activities are popular in this African & French territory. Moreover, you can explore amazing French and Swahili culture in the form of things to do & activities.

Capital

• Mamoudzou

Best Time to Visit

• May to November or dry season is the best time to visit.

5. Reunion Island Country

A French overseas territory which is located on Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar. This is another French overseas department. Combining both adventure and culture for visitors. Piton de la Fournaise is one of the world’s most attractive volcanoes where hiking is a dream of many hikers.

Whiling hiking on this rugged terrain, you can witness beautiful vistas and molten lava flows. The Creole culture of island combines amazing atmospheric condition of music, cuisine, art & festival. One superb thing about this island country is that it features paddleboarding, paragliding and canyoning opportunities.

Capital

• Saint-Denis

Best Time to Visit

• May to November is the best time to visit as these are cooler & colder months.

6. Seychelles

Seychelles is located towards the east of Kenya and Seychelles archipelago comes with more than 100 list of islands. As compared to other sovereign African countries, this island country has smaller population. Visitors visit this island because of crystal-clear waters, birdwatching, snorkeling & diving.

Do not forget to Seychelles cuisines as this is a perfect combination of both Asian-African tastes, infused with love. For couples, there are luxury romantic resorts where they can enjoy honeymoon and make their stay memorable & lovable. Praslin is the second largest island here so must go here.

Capital

• Victoria

Best Time to Visit

• For calms seas and affordable weather, April to May or October to November is the ideal time.

7. Mauritius

The Mauritius country is a beautiful archipelago with multiple beautiful islands. A cultural spot of melting Indian, Asian and African traditions in the form of culture, food and activities. For honeymoons, one of the preferred destinations because of luxury resorts, hotels and romantic activities.

The beautiful shores and countless options of African island beach comes with otherworldly atmosphere. Not only it is ranked among best South African island countries but also luxurious place for world-class activities like scuba diving and deep-sea fishing.

Capital

• Port Louis

Best Time to Visit

• May to December is the perfect time to go.

8. Annobón (Equatorial Guinea)

On Africa map, this is the smallest island is Africa with remote activities. The exact location of this island country is southwest of São Tomé, in the Gulf of Guinea. Special thing about this island is that this is extremely isolated and untouched. Also, there is crater lake and lush rainforest.

No matter whether you want to travel with your friends or family, this island country is a hidden gem. There’s a lot to do in this country like beaches, water-activities, mouthwatering cuisine and much more. Do not forget to visit this island on your African island itinerary for memories.

Capital

• San Antonio de Palé

Best Time to Visit

• June to September when the weather is drier.

9. Mohéli (Mwali) (Part of Comoros)

Mohéli is also known as Mwali, a stunning part of Comoros. Among major three African islands, this one is smallest one but filled with both fun-filled and cultural activities. This is wild and less crowded spot, perfect for those tourists who love wilderness with fewer crowds.

In Mohéli, there are multiple national parks within island region and Mohéli Marine Park is one of them. Among other islands, this island promotes natural ocean views and eco-tourism. In this sustainability era, this thing matters most because of sustainability effects and positive outcomes.

Capital

• Fomboni

Best Time to Visit

• May to November (dry and less humid).

10. Lamu Archipelago

Located on off Kenya’s northeastern coast, famous for bizzare old town and main town square. A perfect spot for history and culture lovers. This island country is unique in various terms because of UNESCO World Heritage site, Swahili architecture, donkeys instead of cars, and dhow sailing.

All over the East Africa, this is one of the oldest and best protected settlements, the Lamu Old Town comes with unique features. The town itself is made out of mangrove timber and coral stone and the houses have wooden doors, verandas and inner courtyards.

Main Town

• Lamu Town

Best Time to Visit

• December to March or July to October are the ideal times.

Final Ideas!

Our detailed and definitive guide to African island countries ends here.

On the African continent, a largest continent, there are almost more than 45 countries but the mentioned above top 10 island countries of Africa stand amongst all in various terms.

The culture, history, unique atmosphere and vibe of these island countries are hard to find anywhere in any other African island territory. Spare some time to explore these countries one by one.

Frequently Asked Questions