Khor Ambado Beach

Khor Ambado lies west of Djibouti City past the port, a cove of sand below red-brown cliffs with clear water and a shallow reef, and it is where the capital goes at weekends. A beach bar known locally as the plage des tortues operates in season. The cliffs behind are bare rock and the setting is more dramatic than the city beaches closer in. The name refers to the inlet rather than the beach itself, and the cove is one of several cut into this stretch of coast. Ships passing to and from the port are visible offshore throughout the day.

What you actually see

• The red cliffs - the rock walls standing behind the sand.
• The clear water - better visibility than the beaches nearer the city.
• The shallow reef - coral within easy snorkelling reach.
• The beach bar - the seasonal operation on the sand.

When to go

November to March is the cool season. Summer heat makes the beach unusable in the middle of the day. Fridays and weekends bring crowds from the city.

Honest expectations

The track down is rough and needs care. Facilities are seasonal and basic. It gets crowded and littered on weekends.

Nearby

Djibouti City is east, and Arta is southwest.