Tarkwa Bay Beach Review 2023 (Gate Fee & Accommodation)

Visiting a beach in Lagos is supposed to be an escape from the daily chaos to a tranquil environment. But as more beaches in Lagos are becoming groovier during weekends, this desire is hard to achieve.

Tarkwa Bay, on the other hand, has remained among the few, unique beach getaway locations in Lagos where you can have a genuine quiet time alone or a fun get-together with friends, enjoying the ocean breeze and other treats.

If you are planning to visit Tarkwa Bay beach, this article will walk you through all you need to know before embarking on the journey.

Before we dive in, for those who are in a hurry, here is our overall review on Tarkwa Bay Beach in Lagos, what to expect, and possible disappointments to encounter:

Our Overall Take on Tarkwa Bay Beach, Lagos

1. The journey to Tarkwa Bay Beach involves a boat ride and this is probably the most fun part of the experience, especially if you haven’t been on any waterborne vessel.

2. Tarkwa Bay Beach entry fee is incredibly affordable, compared to neighboring beaches. By extension, it is an ideal spot for a budget-friendly trip to the beach.

3. This destination stands out from other beaches when it comes down to peace and tranquility and it is usually not crowded.

4. Unlike most other top beaches in Lagos, visitors are allowed to go in with food and drinks (You may even regret not going with your food and drinks to Tarkwa Bay Beach)

5. Tarkwa Bay Beach doesn’t have as much aesthetic appeal as most other five-star tourist beaches in Lagos. We frown at the seaweeds and plants on the shores.

6. If the massive waves at beaches are especially what excites you about beach getaways, then you may be disappointed at the ocean view at Tarkwa Bay Beach.

7. There is less organization on the beach especially when you arrive. You’d likely be accousted for by people who will try to sell you cabanas or offer to carry your stuff. You will have to ignore them if you aren’t interested.

8. Generally speaking, it is a decent beach environment to visit as there are dozens of fun activities to engage in. You can’t be bored on a beach like Tarkwa Bay.

Now, let’s dive into the details.

Where Is Tarkwa Bay Beach Location?

Tarkwa Bay beach is an island on its own. It is about 20 minutes boat ride from Victoria Island, Lagos. In other words, you need to take a paid boat ride to access the artificial sheltered beach. You can get a water vessel at either Mekwe Jetty, Tarzan Marine, or Marina.

At CMS, Marina, you will see a speedboat willing to take you to Tarkwa Bay beach for N1,000 to N1,500 per person, depending on your negotiation skill. The price covers too and fro.

Alternatively, you can get to the beach using the Tarzan Marin services. The Speedboat services are around the same cost as going through Marina but will take around 25 minutes.

Visitors trying to get to Tarkwa Bay Beach can also use Makwe Jetty services. It is a better route option if you are coming from the Bonny Camp axis. While the boat ride from Makwe Jetty to Tarkwa Bay Beach will cost around the same price as the two other ports, the journey will take 15 minutes or less.

Another way to get to Tarkwa Bay Beach is to board a boat at FIKI Marina, located at 3-4, OzumbaMbadiwe Avenue, Eti-Osa, Lagos. A return trip through this boat service will cost you N4,000 and N3,000 for adults and children respectively.

How Much Is the Entry Fee To Tarkwa Bay?

The general entrance fee at Tarkwa Bay Beach is N200 per person. This makes it one of the most affordable beaches to visit in Lagos, compared to similar locations where visitors pay as high as N5,000 per person.

Meanwhile, the gate fee at Tarkwa Bay fluctuates depending on how you can negotiate and the day of the week you visit. Sometimes, visitors are charged N300, which is still really cheap.

The entry fee does not cover the spot, activities, food, or drinks that you patronize on the beach.

At Tarkwa Bay Beach, there’s no gap between cost and comfort. A table and chair will cost you as low as N100 and N300 respectively, while a tent will cost you N300. With all these paid for, you are ready to set up the space you’ve paid to occupy on the beach.

As you plan to visit the beach, keep in mind all these extra costs as they’d reflect in your overall expenses for the trip. And yes, as far as beaches in Lagos go, this is a very affordable location to visit.

Tarkwa Bay Beach Opening hours

Tarkwa Bay Beach opens from 9 am to 6 pm. The final boat out of Tarkwa Bay is scheduled to leave at 6 pm.

This means that you need to calculate the activities you want to engage in versus the time you need to leave there. Some beaches in Lagos open their doors till as late as 3 am but that is not true for Tarkwa Bay.

Fun Things To Do In Tarkwa Bay Beach

There are a bunch of things you can do to have a nice time in Tarkwa Bay Beach. You are in for an even more exciting experience if you are a water sports enthusiast.

The popular activities to do in Tarkwa Bay Beach are Swimming, Surfing, Game of beach soccer, and volleyball. But it doesn’t end there. The food experience is also part of the fun. But if you don’t provide yourself with everything you intend to eat, you may be disappointed.

Here are details of the must-do things at Tarkwa Bay Beach that you should look out for:

Quad biking

There is a fleet of Quad bikes at Tarkwa Bay Beach available for rent. If you can afford it, take the pleasure to ride a quad bike along the coast of the beach. To make it a fun experience, you can challenge your friends to a race. Don’t miss this for anything on this beautiful beach.

Jet Ski

Another fun thing to do at this beach is Jet skiing. The beach allows visitors to ride on a Jet Ski at a price since your entry fee doesn’t cover access to these activities. There are also ski guides to put you through should in case it is your first time trying this.

Surfing

We have observed that the waters in Tarkwa Bay Beach are more friendly than a few other beaches. The waves aren’t massive but they make perfect tide for surfers, whether novices or professionals.

Volleyball and beach soccer

Tarkwa Bay has a Volleyball court where you can have a nice time with friends enjoying the game. If you don’t fancy volleyball, you can try the beach soccer game with friends.

Don’t miss the fresh fish barbeque

In our opinion, your visit to Tarkwa Bay Beach shouldn’t be complete without treating yourself to a fresh fish barbeque. The beach is arguably one of the best places in town where you can get appetizing fish barbeque.

There are other food options around the beach and you can entertain your taste buds if none of the above activities interests you.

Relax

Ultimately, you have come this far to the heart of Victoria Island to relax from the chaos of day-to-day life in the city. The beach has many sports activities for visitors, but it doubles as a secret relaxation spot in Lagos.

With N500, you can rent a tent, table, and chairs to relax and listen to the ocean waves. At these moments, people playing in the water and moving around become your movie. It is also a good spot for fun-seeking freelancers.

Can I Bring My Food To Tarkwa Bay?

Yes, Tarkwa Bay allows you to bring in your food and drinks. You may even regret it if you don’t. Since the food and drinks sold on the beach are somewhat overpriced, many visitors take advantage of coming with their food.

Just to give you an idea of how things cost on Tarkwa Bay Beach, a bottle of soft drink which you can get for as low as N150 will set you back for as high as N250 on the beach.

Aside from the food and drinks, there are other things sold on the beach that would want your money. For instance, you will come across a bunch of vendors selling souvenirs among other unique, crafty, and fashionable items.

What can I Wear To Tarkwa Bay Beach?

First and foremost, keep in mind that Tarkwa Bay Beach is a public beach, so you’d want to dress modestly. It is decent to consider clothes that aren’t overly revealing or inappropriate for a family-friendly environment. But there is no restriction on dressing and you are free to wear what you want since it’s not as crowded as other beaches.

While there is no restriction on dressing at this beach, we recommend you opt for lightweight, breathable fabrics that will keep you cool and comfortable in the hot Lagos sun. For example, you can wear a swimsuit or a bathing suit.

Don’t forget to bring along a hat or visor to protect your face from the sun, and a pair of sunglasses to shield your eyes from the bright light.

When it comes to footwear, we like to recommend that beach lovers wear flip-flops or sandals. They are not only easy to slip on but will also not get ruined by water. If you plan to do any water sports activities at Tarkwa Bay, you can come along with water shoes to protect yourself from sharp rocks.

The key to dressing for Tarkwa Bay beach is to keep it simple, comfortable, and modest. Overall, choose an outfit that is lightweight and breathable. With the right clothing and accessories, you’ll be ready to enjoy all that Tarkwa Bay Beach has to offer

Worst Times to Visit Tarkwa Bay Beach

We do not recommend you go to Tarkwa Bay Beach during the rainy seasons, precisely between April and September. Since the journey to this beach is only by boat cruise, you put yourself in danger as the sea level could rise during rainy seasons.

And, think about it, who plays with sand when there’s rain?

In addition, except you like the crowd and noise, a trip to Tarkwa Bay during public holidays and festive periods will be the opposite of tranquil. For those who prefer alone time with a lover, it is best to travel down to this location during weekdays.

Another thing to consider is the timing of the day. You need to plan your time on when to arrive and when to leave. Ferries available to pick up visitors from the beach have their working hours. For instance, if you stay later than 6 pm on Tarkwa Bay Beach, you may not see any speedboats.

Except you’re ready to spend the night on that Island, be ready to round up your trip and activity before the last boat leaves.

Ready To Visit Tarkwa Bay Beach with FastLagos?

There are a lot of preparations to put in place if you’re going to have a wonderful experience on your trip to Tarkwa Bay Beach, especially if it is the first time – from logistic headaches to every point of decision-making to fit into your budget for the excursion.

You will need a waterproof beach bag to prevent your valuables from getting soaked, come along with food and drinks, find out the prices of things before hitting the road and make arrangements for tables and chairs at Tarkwa Bay. All this can rob you of the overall experience.

Are you tired of the same old, boring getaway to beaches in Lagos? Are you ready to experience the adventure of a lifetime? Traveling with our tour guide team on your next trip to Tarkwa Bay will take you off the beaten path and show you how best to enjoy this beach within your budget.

With us, you’re guaranteed to have a blast. We make the plan, you get the pleasure.

Join us for your next journey to Tarkwa Bay Beach.