Keta Lagoon

The Keta lagoon stretches some forty kilometres behind the eastern coast, separated from the sea by a narrow strip of land carrying the road and the towns, and it is the largest lagoon in Ghana and a designated Ramsar site. The water is shallow and brackish, fringed with mangrove and salt flats, and it holds waterbirds in large numbers, particularly migrant waders and terns wintering from Europe: counts here run into the tens of thousands, and the roseate tern and other species are of particular interest. Fishing and salt winning are the local livelihoods, with the salt pans visible along the shore. Boats can be arranged in Anloga or Keta to reach the islands and the birding areas.

What you actually see

• Waterbird flocks - the wintering waders and terns on the flats.
• The salt pans - the salt winning operations along the shore.
• Mangrove fringes - the vegetation around the lagoon edges.
• Fishing activity - the canoes and nets worked on the shallow water.

When to go

November to March for the migrant birds and the dry season roads; this is the peak period for wader numbers. Early morning is best for birding. The lagoon rises and falls considerably with the seasons.

Honest expectations

There is no visitor infrastructure, no hides and no formal guiding service; arrangements are informal. Boats and guides are negotiated locally. Access points are muddy. The lagoon is large and needs local knowledge to see the best areas.

Nearby

Fort Prinzenstein stands at Keta; Ada Foah lies west.