Why Abidjan? What Makes the Ébrié Lagoon Special

Captain's Log 060426 – A Personal Reflection

After more than thirty years sailing some of the world's most famous waters — from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean, and from the early days crewing off Durban and Cape Town — people often ask me the same question:

"Why Abidjan?"

It's a fair question. When most people dream of a boat trip in Africa, they think of Zanzibar, the Seychelles, or South Africa's coastline. So why choose the Ébrié Lagoon in Abidjan?

Because it's different. And in many ways, it's better.

The Ébrié Lagoon isn't just another pretty tropical spot. It's a vast, calm inland sea sitting right beside one of West Africa's most dynamic cities. In the morning you can be exploring the vibrant markets of Abidjan, soaking up the colours, sounds and incredible street food, and by midday you can be gliding through quiet mangrove channels where the only sounds are birds and the gentle lap of water against the hull.

That contrast is rare — and very special.

You get the best of both worlds: the energy of a bustling African city with lively nightlife, excellent restaurants, and world-class markets — combined with the peace and beauty of a protected lagoon. Unlike many popular charter destinations that feel crowded and over-developed, the Ébrié Lagoon still has that genuine "undiscovered" feeling. There are quiet corners and small mangrove islands that very few visitors ever see.

And yet, with just a short hop through the canal, you're suddenly in the Gulf of Guinea on the open Atlantic, with incredible beaches stretching for miles — from San Pedro in one direction all the way to Accra in the other.

I discovered one of those hidden lagoon spots on my first trip out. The water was glassy, the mangroves closed in around us, and for a few moments it felt like we had the whole lagoon to ourselves. That's the kind of experience I want to share.

After working on many yachts cruising the Med, Caribbean, Thailand and even the Norwegian fjords for many years, I was looking for something more intimate and meaningful. The Ébrié Lagoon gives me exactly that — a place where I can offer small groups a personal, unhurried experience.

So yes — Why Abidjan?

Because it's authentic. Because it offers both vibrant city energy and peaceful lagoon escape. Because you can enjoy lively markets and nightlife one day, and complete tranquillity on the water the next.

This is the place that made me want to start the next chapter.

Captain Murray The Uncharted Waters – Ébrié Lagoon, Abidjan