Not every trip out of the city needs to be a road trip. Some of Lagos's best escapes are close enough for a single day — a beach afternoon, a slice of coastal history, or a few hours away from the noise of the mainland and islands.
Badagry, Tarkwa Bay, Landmark Beach and Whispering Palms are among the most popular day-trip destinations for both residents and visitors, and ToTrip Car Rental Services Limited arranges these leisure trips regularly. Here's how to plan one properly.
Badagry: History Along The Coast
Badagry sits roughly 1.5–2 hours from central Lagos depending on traffic, known for its slave trade history, the Point of No Return monument, and a handful of heritage museums along the route. It's a full but manageable day trip — most visitors leave by mid-morning and are back in Lagos by evening, with time built in for the drive both ways plus a few hours at the sites themselves.
Tarkwa Bay And The Island Beaches
Tarkwa Bay is reached by boat rather than road, but getting to the jetty — usually near Victoria Island — is very much a car rental and chauffeur consideration. A driver who knows the correct jetty access point and current boat schedules saves a lot of back-and-forth on the day, particularly if you haven't made this specific trip before.
🏖️ Coastal Day Trip Basics
Landmark Beach And Closer Options
For a shorter, lower-commitment day out, Landmark Beach on Victoria Island is one of the easiest coastal options — no long drive, no boat transfer, just a short trip within the Island itself. This works well as a half-day plan or paired with dinner reservations afterward, without needing to plan around a full day's itinerary the way Badagry does.
"Day trips are where people most often underestimate return traffic. Badagry in the morning is easy — it's the drive back into Lagos in the evening that needs the buffer time built in."
— ToTrip Car Rental Services, Chauffeur Team
Self-Drive Or Chauffeur For A Day Trip
Self-drive works fine for a straightforward beach visit within the Island, but for Badagry specifically — a longer drive with several stops and a return leg through evening traffic — a chauffeur is usually the more relaxed option, letting you actually enjoy the day rather than manage the driving on both ends. See our self-drive vs chauffeur guide for the broader comparison.
Vehicle Choice For A Beach Or Coastal Day
An SUV is a practical choice for coastal day trips — enough space for beach gear, a change of clothes and any purchases along the way, with a bit more comfort over the sometimes uneven roads on the Badagry route. For a simple Landmark Beach outing within the Island, a standard saloon works just as well.
Planning a coastal day trip from Lagos? Let's set up the route, timing and vehicle for a relaxed day out.
Plan Your Day TripTiming Your Trip
Leaving Lagos early morning — ideally before 8am for Badagry — gives the most time at the destination and avoids adding rush-hour delay onto an already longer drive. Building in a realistic return window matters just as much, since evening traffic heading back into the city can extend the return leg noticeably compared to the outbound drive.
What To Share When Booking A Day Trip
- Which destination or combination of stops you're planning
- Preferred departure time and expected return time
- Number of people and any beach or heritage-site gear to plan space for
- Self-drive or chauffeur preference for the day
Frequently Asked Questions
Can one trip combine Badagry and Whispering Palms?
Yes, these are commonly combined into a single day trip given their proximity — worth mentioning both when planning your itinerary.
Do I need a boat booking arranged separately for Tarkwa Bay?
Yes, boat transfer to Tarkwa Bay is arranged separately from car hire — our driver can take you to the correct jetty, but the boat crossing itself is a different booking.
Is a day trip to Badagry doable without an overnight stay?
Yes, most visitors complete it comfortably as a single day, provided you leave early and build in return traffic time.
Lagos's coastline offers a genuine change of pace without needing a multi-day trip. Get the timing and vehicle right, and a day away from the city can feel like a proper escape.