Looking for the best beaches in Ibadan, Oyo State? While Ibadan is inland, several resorts and hotels offer beach-like experiences with pools and water activities. Our top-ranked spot is Ilaji Resorts, boasting a 4.4-star rating from over 2,000 reviews. We rank places using Google ratings, review volume, recency, profile completeness, verification, and paid placement to help you find the perfect getaway.
Lape R.★★★★★ — I enjoyed my stay at Adis Hotel. The ambience of the hotel is very beautiful. The quietness of the environment is what l really love, the staff are very friendly ever ready to attend to ones need. The food 😋 topnotch. 👍
Lape R.★★★★★ — I enjoyed my stay at Adis Hotel. The ambience of the hotel is very beautiful. The quietness of the environment is what l really love, the staff are very friendly ever ready to attend to ones
Gabriel S.★★★★★ — Nice place, you will love it. Just a little bumpy road some few km.
Adeyemi O.★★★★★ — I really enjoyed myself. There was 24hrs electric and air-conditioned working till the following day. The food is OK but they need more options for food and pepper soup
Amarachi N.★★★★★ — The management of Wave Beach is doing a terrible job.
I was there with my friends this month. Prior to getting there, I booked a cabana and was informed of the corkage fees for bringing in external food and drinks.
At the gate, the staff charged me effectively four times the amount they had indicated on the flyer for corkage fees, for no good reason. Not to mention, the staff member I was interfacing with was rude. When we showed her Wave Beach's flyer showing the applicable corkage fees and insisted on paying according to the indicated fees, she simply walked away and said we should call her when we are "ready" to pay. It took almost an hour and the intervention of their Manager to resolve the situation.
Also, the atmosphere was uncomfortable. There was near-defeaning music for all the five hours I spent there.
Did I forget to mention - after we eventually gained access to the beach and asked to be shown the pre-booked cabana, they seemed unsure where to put us. We were told we will get a cabana "if" there's any cabana available. Thankfully, we did get a cabana. But the loud noise (that they insist is music) drove us away from the cabana about an hour later.
In the end, it was a 1/10 experience. I will not recommend, and I will definitely not be visiting again.
Adekoyejo P.★★★★★ — Highly unreliable service. Contrary to what is written on their instagram page, they might not allow you to take outside drinks and food inside the venue. They may also increase their gate fee without notice. Prepare for the unexpected when you got over there. They literally ruined my night, eventually I had to go to the club.
To the owner, who says this is not true. This happened on the night of 22nd November 2025. Perhaps you need to monitor your business better so you can know what’s going on. Have a good day.
Oluseye★★★★★ — Ah! From chipped tea cups, dripping AC, smelling walkway, no towels until a request was put through, to restaurant staff who are quick to offer half-hearted apologies in place of service…
I have no words.
Oluseye★★★★★ — Ah! From chipped tea cups, dripping AC, smelling walkway, no towels until a request was put through, to restaurant staff who are quick to offer half-hearted apologies in place of service…
I have no w
Ademola M.★★★★★ — Wow! They have chimpanzees, parrots, civet, hyenas, jackals, warthogs, pelicans, different species of monkeys, tortoise, crocs, lions, giraffe, horses, donkeys, camels, porcupines, snakes etc. There's an area for children to play with swings, pool, face painting... There's a clearing suitable for picnic (which I don't recommend, due to knowledge of air microbiology). Overall, the scenery is amazing!
Mide A★★★★★ — The zoological garden was bigger than I was expecting, and also had more animals than I was also expecting.
The entry free was 3000 per adult and there was no queue or wait time when I went.
If you’re bringing a professional camera, you’re charged an extra fee.
There was a lion there, even though it was asleep when I went to I didn’t really see it in action.
I think the animals should be under shades more tho, especially the zebra; it was just there in the hot sun and I felt a little bad for it lol.
Dolapo O.★★★★★ — On the 4th of January, I visited the iconic Captain Bower's Tower affectionately called "Layipo" by locals in Oke-Are, Ibadan. As a native who has always heard about this historic spot but never made the time, I decided to go with my good friend, Eniola.
The entry fee was ₦1,000 per person (so ₦2,000 total for us). When we get inside, we had to rest a bit from the walk. But one downside is that there is no food or drink vendors around which is not ideal for thirsty visitors. We improvised with cold pito (a local drink made from millet and milk) from a nearby spot to cool down.
The tower is well-maintained for its age, the structure feels solid but the surroundings need work: the relaxation shed is dilapidated, the terrain paths are cracked, and some areas need more repairs. When I chatted with some of the tourists, they said they would happily pay more, provided that the amenities were upgraded.
While standing at where is regared as one of the city's highest points, we spotted major landmarks like The Cocoa House, University College Hospital (UCH), Lekan Salami Stadium, Liberty Stadium, Agodi Gardens, Oyo State Government Secretariat, Mapo Hall, and endless brown roofs stretching everywhere. It was breathtaking, peaceful and a perfect moment to appreciate Ibadan's rich history.
We met the local tour guide, Mr Adebayo Samuel. He explained that the top of the tower is one of the highest point in the state and it also marks its geographical centre as well. He made us understand that Captain Robert Lister Bower is the first British resident in Yorubaland. He was sent to Nigeria by Queen Elizabeth II in 1893 to put an end to the wars between the different kingdoms in Yorubaland, and he brought stability during colonial times. This reminded us of Ibadan's layered history, from being a city and home to prominent warriors in Yorubaland to a hub of civilization. He told us that the 60-foot tower was erected in 1936 in his honour.
Nkiruka P.★★★★★ — If you're not fit, you'll have to think twice about hiking the trail up this hill. 😄😄😄. We huffed and panted our way up the hill and were rewarded by the most breathtaking views of Ibadan old city.
The surrounding structures need some refurbishing but the Tower itself has been reasonably maintained.
The Tower commemorates Captain Robert Lister Bower, the first British Resident of Yorubaland (1893-97). It provides a 360-degree vista of landmarks like the Cocoa House, University of Ibadan, and Dugbe Market.
The walk down the hill (Oke-Are) was a lot less easier than the climb. It's a must-see in Ibadan!
Awelahs★★★★★ — It's now a shadow of itself. The toilets are nothing to write home about. Guests now smoke and drink by the pool even when kids are there. 🤢🤮
The management should do better and renovate the entire place.
Balogun A.★★★★★ — Listen to this so you don’t get lost, where your destination will be on google map is “Royal entertainment Cruise, Ibadan” don’t go and be searching for “lake eleyele”, which on its own have it’s own history but to get to the place where the cruise is happening royal entertainment cruise is where you should search for.
I hope this helps and save you cost of transportation.
Safi F.★★★★★ — It was a great experience but the time on the boat is too short
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest-rated beach in Ibadan?▾
The highest-rated beach-related venue in Ibadan is Ilaji Resorts, Hotels in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, with a 4.4-star rating based on 2,002 reviews. It tops our list for best beaches in Ibadan.
How many beaches are ranked in Ibadan?▾
We currently rank 9 beaches and beach-like venues in Ibadan, Oyo State. The list includes hotels, resorts, and gardens that offer water-based recreation.
Which beach in Ibadan has the most reviews?▾
The University of Ibadan, Zoological Garden has the most reviews among our ranked venues, with 3,497 reviews and a 4-star rating. While not a traditional beach, it offers a natural escape.
Is Wave Beach Lagos ranked in Ibadan?▾
Yes, Wave Beach Lagos appears in our Ibadan list with a 4.2-star rating from 2,017 reviews and a price level of 2. It is a popular option despite being located in Lagos, as it is accessible for Ibadan residents.
What is the ranking methodology for beaches in Ibadan?▾
Our rankings are based on a combination of Google rating, review volume, recency of reviews, profile completeness, verification status, and paid placement. This ensures a balanced view of popularity and quality.
Get a Featured placement — a clear “Featured” label plus an enhanced profile. We never sell rank order; featuring is a label only, and your position in the ranking doesn’t change.
