Elegushi Beach
Lagos in one loud postcard — horse riders on the sand, jollof smoke in the air and beach clubs that don’t stop until the sun does.
Sunset crowds and beach bars at Elegushi Royal Beach in Lekki Phase 1
What to expect at Elegushi Beach
Owned by the Elegushi royal family, this is the flagship city beach for anyone staying in Lekki Phase 1 or Victoria Island. It stretches along the Atlantic just off the Lekki-Epe Expressway and packs beach clubs, shisha lounges, suya grills and live DJs onto one strip of sand. Weekends are electric and chaotic; weekday afternoons are surprisingly calm, with fishermen pulling in nets while joggers cross the shoreline. Expect to pay a gate fee per person plus separate charges once you settle into any lounge or private cabana.
Strategy: arrive by 4pm on a Saturday to grab a cabana at Kimpinski or Inside Beach before the sunset rush, then stay for the after-dark party. If you want the calmer version, come Sunday morning for horseback rides and photos with almost empty sand. Cash and card both work at the main lounges, but keep small naira notes for grill vendors and the ATV rentals. Do not swim past the flag lines — currents here are strong.
Questions about Elegushi Beach
General gate entry is about $3 per person; cabanas and lounges charge a separate minimum spend of $25-$60.
No, the gate fee applies every day. Children under 5 usually enter free with a paying adult.
Plan a half day — arrive around 4pm, catch sunset and eat, and you will be there five to six hours.
It is open daily year-round; only heavy storm days shut the beach clubs early.
Walk-ins are fine midweek. For Saturday sunset, reserve a cabana at Inside Beach or Kimpinski by WhatsApp 24 hours ahead.
The Ikate roundabout on the Lekki-Epe Expressway; from there it is a two-minute drive south to the royal arch entrance.
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