By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara
Just a few minutes’ drive from Lungi International Airport lies Mahera Beach, a long stretch of golden sand kissed by the Atlantic waves. For many first-time visitors arriving in the country, Mahera is their introduction to Sierra Leone’s coastal beauty. Yet for the locals, it is far more than just a scenic attraction it is both livelihood and lifestyle.
Mahera Beach is uniquely calm compared to the busier beaches of Aberdeen and Lumley in Freetown. Coconut palms dot the coastline, fishing boats lie anchored on the shore, and children run barefoot, playing football along the tide’s edge. At sunset, the horizon glows in hues of orange and pink, creating a postcard view that captures Sierra Leone’s raw beauty, but behind the beauty lies a deeper story one of opportunity, neglect, and resilience.
We have one of the finest beaches in Sierra Leone, but it is not developed, said Mohamed Bangura, a fisherman who has worked at Mahera for over 20 years, every day, we go to sea, we bring fish, but there is no storage, no cold room. If we had support, this beach could feed many families and also bring tourists.
The beach also attracts small-scale traders, especially women who sell coconuts, roasted fish, and local snacks to visitors. Aminata Kamara, a coconut seller, described how Mahera sustains her: “Most of us women depend on the people who come to relax here. When tourists or travellers stop by, we make some sales. But if the beach had proper facilities like chairs, shops, or even guest houses our lives would change.
Local youth see Mahera as both playground and opportunity. Abubakarr Sesay, a university student from UNITECH Lungi branch, believes the government and private sector have overlooked its potential, we see foreigners travel all the way to Freetown beaches while Mahera is right here near the airport. Imagine if this place was promoted well Mahera could be a tourism hub, creating jobs for us young people.
Officials agree that more can be done. A representative from the Port Loko District Council, Councilor Isata Conteh, said plans have been discussed to integrate Mahera Beach into wider tourism strategies, this beach is an asset not only to Lungi but to Sierra Leone. What is needed is sustainable development building facilities without destroying the natural beauty.
For now, Mahera remains what it has always been: a hidden gem, serene and largely untouched, where fishermen haul nets, children play, and sunsets paint the Atlantic. But as the country pushes to expand its tourism sector, the question remains: will Sierra Leone recognize and invest in Mahera Beach as the treasure it truly is?
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Friday, 3rd October 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
