Assinie: Paradise Just Outside of Abidjan

Assinie is located on a split, the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Aby Lagoon offering amazing spots for surfing, fresh seafood and long stretches of sandy beaches on one side and calm waters perfect for swimming, paddle boarding or exploring the mangroves. Located on the south-eastern coast of the Ivory Coast, close to Ghana, Assinie is a known escape for Ivoirians from the big city of Abidjan. With a heavy focus on local food and sustainable practices at the heart of most resorts and beach clubs, Assinie is a perfect place to relax and explore on your next getaway. 

Where to stay 

Palms Resort 

Located on the Lagoon side of Assinie, the Luxury of the Palm Resort is unmatched. Hospitality, waterfront rooms, private pools and delicious local food make up the DNA of this resort. With a private beach, renowned in-house SPA and a waterfront restaurant serving up incredible dishes, everything you need is right in one space. If relaxation is your vacation goal, the Palms Resort serves it on a well polished platter. 

Photos of Palms Resort

L’Escapade Hotel 

L’Escapade Hotel combines luxury and tranquillity on the edge of Assinie’s lagoon. This quiet resort blends into the nature around it to create a sanctuary on the water. Rooms are equipped with private pools, comfy beds and modern design. They even have a family villa to enjoy the resort with your family in comfort and privacy. 

Key 19 Green Luxury Hotel

Colorful and vibrant Key 19 offers its guests refuge on the Aby Lagoon. With multiple pools, comfortable rooms with large soaking tubs and room service, Key 19 creates a haven for guests that they will never want to leave. 

Photo from Key 19 Green Luxury Hotel

What to do

Assinie Mafia Beaches 

With 30 kilometers of Atlantic coastline on one side  and the Aby Lagoon on the other, Assinie Mafia offers its visitors many options. On the Atlantic coast you will find strong waves, perfect for surfing, that break just before they meet golden sand beaches making most areas along the beach safe for swimming. With a mix of private and public beaches you get a taste of everything Assinie has to offer. 

Travel a bit further and you will find the Atlantic – Lagoon cord that is quieter and considered a chicer experience filled with palm trees, small quaint restaurants and shells for collecting (so few of those beaches are left!). The area gives you the perfect balance between swimming in the calm lagoon or moving toward the more wild Atlantic. 

The Assinie Mafia beaches offer an unspoiled, calm vibe with plenty of places to relax in the shade of a palm, sip drinks or eat some of the freshest seafood any place has to offer. 

Photo of Assinie Mafia Beach at Sunset

Lagoon Boat Tour 

Hop in a small traditional boat or a motorized canoe for a half day of exploring the mangroves of the Aby Lagoon. The routes generally take you from the month of Assinie Mafia towards Assoundiné and the nearby islands offering you a look into the mangrove covered channels, views of small fishing huts and entry into the Bandama River, where the Lagoon and Atlantic meet. You will encounter all kinds of different birds and local wildlife along your journey hidden in the dense green fringe. 

Photo of Aby Lagoon Boat Tours

Ehotilé Island National Park

The Eholité Island National Park was created thanks to the local communities’ initiative to preserve and protect the wildlife. The Park spans six islands and over 722 hectares of land (not including the waterways and lagoons in between) that is home to dense mangroves sheltering fish nurseries and all types of aquatic wildlife, over 128 species of birds and the West African manatee that is both ecologically and culturally important. The area is classified as an important wetland area and is currently awaiting its addition to the UNESCO World Heritage status. 

Of the six islands, Bosson Assoun is described as “The Sacred Island of Protective Geniuses”, housing local ancestors that watch over and protect the lagoon, islands and local populations. 

Local Markets

Nothing fulfills the soul quite like wandering a local market in a new country and Assinie offers that in spades. The markets in the beach region offer everything from food, beach essentials, fabrics and handmade crafts. Visiting “Food Street” is a must where the local fisherman offer fresh grilled fish from their stalls alongside incredible fresh fruits like mangoes, plantains and coconuts. Here you must indulge in some Ivorian staples like attieke (grilled chicken), foutou (pounded plantain) and kedjenou (a slow cooked stew).  On the other side of the market you will find colorful fabrics printed with the traditional wax technique and kente-style material. 

Where to Eat

La Maison d’Akoula

Where art, elegance, vibes and really delicious food come to play. La Maison d’Akoula offers traditional Ivorian flavors with modern refinement and lots of colors. Staples like grilled fish and modern creations like Mille Feuille de Poulpe make your eyes water and your mouth blink. Offering a DJ- led brunch every Sunday is the piece de resistance on the perfect package that is La Maison d’ Akoula. 

Photos from La Maison d’Akoula

Le Coucoué Lodge 

Situated on the Lagoon side of Assinie, Le Coucoué Lodge offers waterfront in a forest of color and light. With traditional Ivorian plates like various fish attiekes and other European classics like pizza and pasta, Le Coucoué Lodge has a little something for everyone’s palette. 

Nahiko Hôtel Restaurant 

Nahiko focuses on fresh, well prepared Ivorian flavors with international touches to delight your palette. Giving bar-lounge vibes, this restaurant takes you out of its hotel surroundings and offers you an intimate dining experience whether it’s seaside, poolside or in the lounge. Its menu highlights grilled fish and meat options alongside snacks and fresh fruits to make sure all of your munching desires are satiated.

Photos From Nahiko Hotel Restaurant

Where to Relax

Le Cinq Mondes

Located inside the Palms Resort, Le Spa Cinq Mondes transports you to another realm. From relaxing facials, to deep tissue massages and hammam services, Cinq Mondes has your needs covered. Relaxing rituals like the Rituel Tropicale Revivant bring your skin back to life through deep exfoliation and nurturing oils or traditional Brazilian massages to help ease tense muscles all while relaxing your mind. 

Photo from Le Spa Cinq Mondes

Syny Lodge Spa

Equipped with a sauna and jacuzzi, Syny Lodge’s Spa is designed for a day to relax. Offering scrubs, manicures, pedicures, and massages you can be sure you will leave feeling refreshed, beautiful and revitalized. You can even include a body wrap for detoxification and hydration before you leave this paradise. 

Where to Party

Caia beach club 

If you were worried you wouldn’t have any place to party in, Assinie Caia beach club has you covered. DJ sets fill the days on the sand of the private beach club. With amazing food, incredible beats and lounge beds that lead you right to the sea, spending your day at Caia is both a vibe and a pleasure all wrapped up in one. 

Photo from Caia Beach Club