Where are some of the best islands in Nigeria situated, and what exactly is an island?
An island is a body of land surrounded by water (smaller than a continent). There are three types of islands: continental, oceanic, and tropical. Here is a list of Nigeria’s major islands that will help readers improve their general knowledge.
Despite being an underrated destination for African tourists, Nigeria is a fascinating country with a variety of activities and fun experiences for everyone. Nigeria, the most populous country on the African continent, is a hidden tourist paradise with long, exotic beaches, green mountains, amazing culture and traditions, and other incredible tourist attractions.
Nigeria’s small islands are one of its treasures. Each of them provides a one-of-a-kind and exciting experience for anyone visiting the country. Nigeria has sections that are closer to the water and places with islands.
Natural or artificial island formation is permitted in locations such as Lagos, the rivers, and other lower reaches of the Niger Delta with direct access to rivers and oceans.
Below is a list of some islands in Nigeria:
Abagbo Island
Andoni Island
Banana Island
Bonny Island
Brass Island
Ebute-Oko Island
Eko Atlantic
Gberefu Island
Ikoyi
Nsutana
Parrot Island
Lagos Island
Ogogoro island
Snake Island
Takwa bay island
Tincan Island
Victoria Island
We will be focusing on 10, selecting at random.
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Top 10 Best Islands In Nigeria
10. Bonny island
Bonny Island is located on the southern border of Rivers State in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region. It is close to Port Harcourt. Ferries are the most common mode of transportation to and from the island. Ibani is the local language on Bonny Island.
The Igbo language is also spoken by many natives. The island of Bonny, located at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean on the Bight of Bonny, is the seat of a traditional state known as the Kingdom of Bonny.
Ndoli, a priest-king, founded the city of Bonny. He led the founding group of Bonny Island. The island kingdom’s virgin lands and territories were settled around or before 1400AD. Asimini, the fourth king (but the first to be crowned), established a dynasty that provided the majority of the kingdom’s monarchs.
9. Tincan island
Tin Can Island Port (TCIP) is located in Apapa, the city of Lagos’ port. Tin Can Island Port is located across Lagos Harbor, seven kilometers west of the city center of Lagos. Tin Can Island Port was founded in 1976 and first opened its doors in 1977.
The Nigerian Ports Authority took over the operation of the port in 1991. In 1977, the Roro Terminal was designated as part of the new Tin Can Island Port. When private terminal operators Port and Terminal Multiservices Ltd (PTML).
After Apapa Port, Tin Can Island Port is Nigeria’s second busiest port. The silos have a storage capacity of 28,000 metric tonnes of grain, which is transported by Fleetwood Transportation.
The port facilities can accommodate ships weighing up to 30,000 tonnes. On-site, there is also a grain bagging facility.
8. Victoria island
Victoria Island (VI) is a wealthy neighbourhood that includes a former island of the same name that is separated from Lagos Island, Ikoyi, and the Lekki Peninsula by the Lagos Lagoon. It is the primary commercial and financial center of Lagos State, Nigeria.
Victoria Island is one of Lagos’ most exclusive and expensive neighbourhoods. The town and island are part of the Eti-Osa Local Government Area (LGA). A large portion of the island was originally under the jurisdiction of Lagos’ Oniru chieftaincy family, with tenants occupying the land.
In 1948, the Lagos Executive Development Board paid 250,000 pounds as compensation for the land acquired from the Oniru family, plus an additional 150,000 pounds for the destruction of the inhabitants and shrines.
The residents were later relocated to Maroko village. Victoria Island was originally completely surrounded by water. It was bounded on the south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by the mouth of the Lagos Lagoon, on the north by the Five Cowrie Creek, and on the east by swamps.
7. Banana island
Banana Island is a man-made island off the coast of Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria. It gets its name from the curvature of its shape. The island is a planned, mixed-use development that includes residential, commercial, and recreational structures.
The Ocean Parade Towers is one of several high-end residential developments on Banana Island. It has dedicated leisure facilities, such as a private health club with tennis courts, squash courts, and a swimming pool surrounded by extensive gardens, as do many of the developments on the island.
Ocean Parade flats sold for more than US$400,000 when they first went on the market. Banana Island is also home to several major Nigerian and international corporations, including Etisalat Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Ford Foundation Nigeria, and Olaniwun Ajayi & Co.
Brass Island is a Nigerian island in the Niger Delta. Twon-Brass, the head of the Brass, Nigeria local government area in southern Bayelsa State, lives there. It is well-known for its inhabitants’ traditional attire, which is heavily influenced by British Colonialists’ Edwardian-era outfits.
6. Brass island
The town is connected by ferry to Port Harcourt and Yenagoa. Staying on Brass Island allows you to experience an authentic and traditional African way of life. Everyone who visits the island can stay in one of several comfortable accommodations.
Every tourist will undoubtedly enjoy their stay on the island, particularly because of the kindness and hospitality of the locals, as well as the taste of their fresh seafood and palm wine.
5. Ikoyi
Ikoyi is Lagos’ most affluent neighbourhood, located in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area. It is located northeast of Obalende, adjacent to Lagos Island to the west, and on the southwestern edge of the Lagos Lagoon. Ikoyi, popular among Nigeria’s upper-class residents, is arguably one of the wealthiest communities in the country.
Ikoyi was once a continuous landmass with Lagos Island until it was separated by the MacGregor Canal, a narrow waterway dug by the British colonial government. This canal has now been built over or filled, reuniting the island with Lagos Island. It has been derisively referred to as “Beverly Hills by the slum” or “Belgravia of Lagos.”
4. Andoni
Andoni Island is considered Nigeria’s most endemic island. It is a barrier island shaped by nature in the shape of a shark, located on the eastern edge of the oil-rich Niger Delta in Rivers State.
The island is 124 square kilometers (48 square miles) in size and is home to the endangered African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis), pygmy hippopotamus, and a variety of other mammals.
The island is also a nesting site for various sea turtle species. Aside from Andoni Island, there are numerous other islands in Rivers State’s Andoni Local Government Area.
3. Snake Island
Snake Island is a charming 14-kilometer (8.70-mile) island located just across the busy Tin Can Island. While Snake Island is very close to Lagos and the other busy and thriving islands in the city, it still has that island vibe that makes it very relaxing to stay at.
On the island, there are many small villages and families who live comfortably and simply. Snake Island is expected to become a major tourist attraction in the city within the next few years, so go while it is still relatively undeveloped.
The area gets its name from the land’s snake-like, elongated shape, and it’s located in Nigeria’s first dry dockyard. This area, which was built with assistance from Poland, has the capacity to house many heavy-duty ships and is a well-known ship repair site.
A housing estate with tennis courts and swimming pools is located within it. A ferry ride will take you to Snake Island.
2. Takwa bay island
Tarkwa Bay is a sheltered artificial beach in Nigeria near the Lagos harbour. It is also one of the most beautiful islands in Nigeria.
It is only accessible by boat or water taxis due to its island status. The beach, which is popular among swimmers and water-sports enthusiasts, also has a friendly resident community.
There are several locations on Lagos Island where you can catch a ferry or a fast boat to the bay.
1. Eko Atlantic
Eko Atlantic, also known as Eko Atlantic City or the initials E.A.C. and E.A., is a planned city in Lagos State, Nigeria, built on land reclaimed from the Atlantic Ocean. The new peninsula is expected to have at least 250,000 residents and a daily commuter flow of 150,000 people when it is finished.
The development is also intended to aid in the prevention of coastal erosion in Lagos. The city is bordered to the north by the Victoria Island district of Lagos and the Phase 1 area of Lekki, while the entire western, eastern, and southern borders are coastline.
Eko Atlantic is expected to emerge as the next generation of African property; with a total of ten districts spread across a land area of approximately ten square kilometers (3.9 square miles), the city will meet financial, commercial, residential, and tourist accommodations needs.
