Ilashe Beach
Lagos's boat-only weekend escape — a barrier-island strip of private beach houses reached only by speedboat across the lagoon.
Private beach houses and speedboat jetty at Ilashe Beach across the Lagos lagoon
What to expect at Ilashe Beach
Ilashe is not a public beach — it is a sandbar between the Lagos lagoon and the Atlantic, lined with private beach houses that Lagosians rent for day parties and weekend getaways. You cannot drive there; you take a speedboat from Tarzan Jetty on Walter Carrington Crescent in Victoria Island, and 25 minutes later you are on a beach that feels a continent away from the mainland. Groups usually rent an entire beach house for the day, which comes with a private stretch of sand, a cook, and sometimes a pool.
Strategy: this works best as a group trip — split the beach house cost eight to twelve ways and it becomes affordable. Book through Tarzan Marine or Lekki Boat Club at least a week ahead, especially in December when every house is booked out. Bring everything you need (food arrangements are usually pre-agreed with the house), and confirm your return boat time before you leave the jetty. Last boats back to Victoria Island run around 6pm.
Questions about Ilashe Beach
Boat return runs about $15-25 per head; beach house rentals range from $200 for a small house to $1000+ for a large villa per day.
No — Ilashe is entirely private beach houses. You must be a guest of a rented house.
A full day from about 10am to 6pm, following the boat schedule.
Boats run every day but Saturday is the main day; weekdays some houses are closed unless pre-booked.
Yes — both the beach house and the boat must be reserved in advance, ideally 5-7 days ahead.
Tarzan Marine Jetty on Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island. Some houses use Five Cowries Jetty in Falomo.
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