Pointe-Noire

Pointe-Noire, on the Atlantic coast, is the Republic of the Congo's second city and its economic and oil hub, a lively, cosmopolitan port with a more relaxed, seaside feel than the capital Brazzaville. Its appeal lies in its long sandy beaches, where locals and expatriates come to swim, relax and enjoy fresh grilled seafood at beach bars, and in its easygoing coastal atmosphere. Just outside the city, the Diosso Gorge, a dramatic amphitheatre of red-and-ochre eroded cliffs and ravines, offers a striking natural sight, while the coast and nearby lagoons add to the region's laid-back charm.

What you actually see

• The beaches - the long sandy Atlantic shores and beach bars.
• The fresh seafood - the grilled fish and shellfish of the coast.
• The Diosso Gorge - the dramatic eroded red-cliff amphitheatre.
• The port city life - the cosmopolitan, relaxed seaside vibe.

When to go

June to September, the main dry season, for the best beach weather; the coast is warm year-round, and the beaches are liveliest at weekends. Pointe-Noire is reached from Brazzaville by flight or by the scenic but slow Congo-Ocean railway, and makes a relaxed coastal complement to the capital and the forest parks.

Honest expectations

Pointe-Noire is a working oil-industry port city rather than a resort, so its beaches, while pleasant, are developed and workaday, and the Republic of the Congo sees few tourists with limited infrastructure; the appeal is a relaxed seaside break, fresh seafood and the nearby gorge rather than pristine beaches. As a laid-back Atlantic counterpoint to Brazzaville, with its beaches, seafood and the striking Diosso Gorge, though, Pointe-Noire is an agreeable coastal stop in a little-visited country.

Nearby

The Diosso Gorge, the coastal lagoons and the Conkouati-Douli park are within reach.