Pointe Denis and the Beaches

Just across the Komo estuary from Libreville lies the Pointe Denis peninsula and the beaches of Pongara, an easy escape from the capital into Gabon's wild coastal nature. Reached by a short boat trip, its long, largely empty golden beaches stretch beside the Atlantic, backed by coconut palms, forest and lagoon within the Pongara National Park. A weekend retreat for city-dwellers, the peninsula offers swimming, relaxing and fresh seafood at simple lodges, and, in season, one of its greatest draws: the nesting of thousands of sea turtles, including giant leatherbacks, which come ashore on these beaches to lay their eggs.

What you actually see

• The empty beaches - the long golden Atlantic shores.
• The nesting turtles - the leatherbacks that nest in season.
• The forest and lagoon - the Pongara park behind the beaches.
• The estuary boat trip - the crossing from Libreville.

When to go

May to September, the dry season, for the best beach weather, while the sea-turtle nesting season, when giant leatherbacks come ashore, runs roughly from October to January, an unforgettable added draw. The peninsula is reached by a short boat trip from Libreville and rewards a relaxed overnight.

Honest expectations

The beaches are wild and undeveloped rather than resort-lined, with simple facilities and lodges, so the appeal is empty, natural shores and nature rather than amenities, and the Atlantic here can have strong currents. Reaching the peninsula requires a boat trip. For an easy, beautiful escape into wild coastal nature close to the capital, with long empty beaches and, in season, the extraordinary spectacle of nesting leatherback turtles, though, Pongara is a lovely highlight.

Nearby

The capital Libreville and the Pongara National Park are close by.