9 Best Islands In Nigeria - Updated 2024

Ryan Joshua
Contributing Writer
Updated
| 4 min read
islands in nigeria

Despite being an underrated country for tourists traveling to Africa, Nigeria is, in fact, a fascinating country that offers a lot of activities and fun experiences for everyone. Being the most populated country in the whole African continent, Nigeria is actually a hidden tourist paradise that features long, exotic beaches, green mountains, amazing culture and traditions, and other amazing tourist attractions. One of the treasures of Nigeria is its small islands. Each of them offers a very unique and exciting experience for everyone visiting the country. Get to know what the country has to offer and learn about the best islands in Nigeria, listed below.

We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on September 19, 2024.

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1. Victoria Island, Lagos

Victoria Island
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user OpenUpEd used under CC BY 2.0

Victoria Island is a sprawling financial district that is found between the Lekki Peninsula and the Atlantic Ocean. In fact, it is now being recognized as the financial center of the capital city of Lagos. Most of Lagos’ affluent population live on the island and tourists flock the island for its world-renowned hotels, amazing restaurants, shopping malls, nightclubs, bars, theaters, and other entertainment places. You will surely love chilling out and enjoying everything that the island has to offer.

Stayed at this property?

Book Your Stay: Maroko Bayshore Suites

2. Tin Can Island, Lagos

Lagos port
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Tijl Vercaemer used under CC BY 2.0

Tin Can Island in Apapa, Lagos is home to one of the largest ports in Nigeria. It is where the roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) ports leading to Snake Island and Tomaro can be found. You will be greeted with heavy traffic as you cross the island because of the large number of trucks originating from the island to deliver goods, such as gasoline and imported products, to different parts of Nigeria. The island is also home to different factories, especially milling companies.

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3. Bonny Island

Bonny City
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user ---=XEON=--- used under CC BY 3.0

Bonny Island is known to be the richest in the whole of Nigeria because aside from being a tourist destination, it is also blessed with the most precious natural resource which is oil. Being Nigeria’s oil island, it is home to several oil companies such as LNG Jetty and Shell Jetty Kidney Island. Aside from being an industrial island, Bonny also has an abundance of tourist attractions such as Bonny Nature Park, Finima Nature Park, and several beaches.

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4. Snake Island, Lagos

Community located close to Snake Island, Lagos
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user GodwinPaya used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Spanning 14 kilometers (8.70 miles), Snake Island is a quaint island that is located just across the busy Tin Can Island. While it is very close to the city of Lagos and the other busy and thriving islands in the city, Snake Island still has this island vibe that makes it very relaxing to stay at. There are many small villages and families living comfortably and simply on the island. Snake Island is touted to be a center of attraction in the city in the next few years so get to visit it while it is not yet highly developed.

Stayed at this property?

Book Your Stay: De Santiago Milan

5. Banana Island, Ikoyi

Banana Island Lagos
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Chippla used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Named after its slightly curved shape, Banana Island is a manmade island that is home to some of Nigeria’s wealthiest people and expatriates. The island is Nigeria’s version of New York City’s Tribeca and Tokyo’s Shibuya because of the very affluent population living on the island. Banana Island is home to several luxurious residential complexes such as Ocean Parade Towers, a series of 14 towers that offer panoramic views of the lagoon in front of it. Some of the biggest corporations in the country have also set up their headquarters on the island.

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6. Refuge Island

Nigeria sky
Source: Pxfuel

Located at the eastern tip of the bustling city on Lekki in Lagos State is Refuge Island. The island is home to several beach resorts and other natural attractions and is known for its strip of white-sand beaches. The island is also teeming with rich aquatic wildlife, where you can dive deep down and swim with the fishes. You can even catch some for a delicious lunch on the island. If you are craving some beach and tropical fun while in Nigeria, you should definitely come to visit Refuge Island.

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7. Brass Island, Brass

Nigeria
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Johnbrainyvisuals used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Brass Island is an island located in the Niger Delta and is where the Twon-Brass community is situated. Experience an authentic and traditional African way of living as you stay in Brass Island. The island offers several comfortable accommodations for everyone that visits the island. Every tourist will surely love the experience on the island, especially with the kindness and hospitality of the locals and the taste of their fresh seafood and palm wine.

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8. Iddo Island, Lagos

Iddo Terminus
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Sidhant Bendre used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Iddo Island is one of the bustling districts in the city of Lagos. Iddo Island used to be separate and located opposite the Lagos Mainland but has been merged with the mainland by landfill. The famous Lagos Terminus is situated on Iddo Island. It is the first and only place in Nigeria where a tram service can be found and links Lagos Island via Carter Bridge. Aside from the Lagos Terminus, some factories and manufacturing plants can be also found in Iddo Island such as Nigerian Bottling Company Limited and Power Holding Company of Nigeria.

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9. Ikoyi, Lagos

Best Islands In Nigeria
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user S.aderogba used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Ikoyi in Lagos is known to be the most affluent district in the city that is often being called the Beverly Hills of Africa. One of the best attractions in the neighborhood is Awolowo Street which is one of the main thoroughfares in the city that is lined with upscale boutiques, shops, and restaurants. Its close location to Victoria Island, Lagos Island, and the manmade Banana Island makes it a haven for prestigious four-star hotels.

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Explore the islands of Nigeria soon

Nigeria is indeed an amazing country that offers a very authentic African experience. Get to see the best of this country and discover the things Nigeria is famous for. Visit the best islands in the country, where each of them offers different kinds of experiences, adventures, and fun for everyone. Make sure to visit these islands on your next visit to the great African country. Enjoy Nigeria!

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Ryan is a Computer Engineer with a heart for traveling and writing. Born in Pasay City, Philippines, and raised in Melbourne, Australia, he is now based in the Philippines' City of Smiles, Bacolod...Read more

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