Day trip to Tarkwa Bay from Lekki
A 20-minute boat ride out of Walter Carrington Crescent lands you on Lagos's calmest swimming beach, no cars, no roads.
Wooden boat approaching Tarkwa Bay Beach with calm water
Getting there
Bolt from Lekki Phase 1 to Tarkwa Bay Jetty at Walter Carrington Crescent in Victoria Island runs about $8 and takes 25 minutes off-peak. Boats leave when full, usually every 20 minutes from 8am to 5pm. Return fare is around $8 per person on a shared speedboat, $40 for a private one. Wear the life jacket, the ride is choppy for the first five minutes past the breakwater.
On the beach
Tarkwa is a fishing community, not a resort, so bring cash in small notes. Loungers rent for $3, umbrellas the same. Fresh grilled fish with jollof runs $8, cold beer $2. The water is calm because the beach faces the harbour, safe for kids and non-swimmers. Surfing lessons from Tarkwa Bay Surf Company start at $25 for two hours including board. Toilets are basic, bring your own paper.
Practical notes
Last boat back is officially 6pm but aim for 5pm to avoid being stranded. No ATMs on the island. Phone signal is spotty. Bring reef-safe sunscreen; the shade is limited past midday. Weekends are packed with day-trippers from Victoria Island, weekdays feel almost private. Skip the trip entirely in heavy rain, the crossing gets rough.
Frequently asked questions
What people ask before they set off on this one.
Yes for day trips. It's a small community, well-known to tourists. Just don’t wander into the fishing village alone at dusk.
About $30 per person including boat, lounger, lunch and drinks.
There are a few basic guesthouses but most travellers day-trip and stay in Lekki or Victoria Island.
Cash, sunscreen, swimwear, a dry bag and water. Everything else is either rented on the beach or worth doing without.
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