Things to do in Abidjan?
It’s probably one of the first sentence that’s typed in google when one is getting ready for a trip in Côte d’Ivoire 
. Although Abidjan as the capital is probably the first destination that comes in mind, there are other cities located within a 2 hours’ drive which are equally worth visiting: Grand-Bassam, Grand-Lahou or Jacqueville just to name a few.
Another place which deserves to be known as much as Assinie is Ile Boulay. There are numerous reasons why I enjoy going to Ile Boulay especially with friends who are visiting Côte d’Ivoire but the number one reason remains the fact it is very close to Abidjan.
Ile Boulay which is 11 km long and 3 km wide is the is the main island out of the 13 located on the Lagoon Ebrié.
How to get there?
1st option: with the boats from the private resort
There are a good number of resorts which have opened on Ile Boulay and each one of them has their own private boat. It will cost you 10 000 CFA Francs for the round trip (From and back to Abidjan).
2nd option: with a private company known as STL
This company operates in partnership with some of the resorts such as Chez Rodrigue, Maria Resort and Romano Lodge. In addition, you may enjoy one of their ride on the lagoon during the weekends or holidays.
4 places to visit at Ile Boulay - Things to do in Abidjan
Coconut Grove Lodge
This is by far the most beautiful resort. The Coconut Grove Lodge is renowned for many things, but not mentioning the bubbly personality of its owner Miclo would be a crime. This resort sets itself apart from the others thanks to a professional team, the quality of the customer service, its themed bedrooms which are very original and last but certainly not least its fine cuisine.
{More information}
- Daily package: 50 000 CFA Francs | 76 Euros or 86 USD
- Room rates: Double rooms at 80 000 CFA Francs (121 Euros or 138 USD) and Family rooms at 120 000 CFA Francs (182 Euros or 207 USD)
- Contact: +225 07070510 | Facebook page | website
- Mandatory reservations to be made at least a week (or more) in advance
- The boat will depart from CIC Marine (Aramis) at 10am and will return at 5pm
Romano Lodge
Out of the four resorts I had the chance to visit on the island, I think that the Romano Lodge provides the best value for money. Although the resort has been launched only two years ago, it has a lot of potential with its infinity pool, the modern design of its rooms, its conference room ideal for workshops or team-building activities, the overall cleanliness of its various areas and finally its cuisine.
{More information}
- Room rates: Normal rooms at 50 000 CFA Francs { 76 Euros or 86 USD } and larger rooms at 60 000 CFA Francs { 91 Euros or 103 USD }
- Average cost at the restaurant: main meals starting at 8000 CFA Francs { 12 Euros or 13 USD }
- Contact: +225 45900607 or +225 47502105 | Facebook page | website
- The boat will depart from Espace Mima at 10am and will return at 4:30pm
Rodrigue
A true success story, “Chez Rodrigue” is a well-known address on the island since its owner has been featured on national television in 2016 in the show #MadeinAfrica. I must say that I had a bad first experience at Rodrigue’s mainly due to the poor quality of the customer service. However, I had a much better one the second time around and I was happily surprised to observe the rapid expansion of this resort.
{More information}
- Room rates: Double rooms at 50 000 CFA Francs { 76 Euros or 86 USD } ; Suites at 80 000 CFA Francs { 121 Euros or 137 USD }.
- Average cost at the restaurant: main meals starting at 5000 CFA Francs { 7 Euros or 8 USD }.
- Mandatory reservations to be made at least a week (or more) in advance if you are planning to spend a night.
- Contact: +225 09983598 | Facebook page
- The boat will depart from Bietry Village at 10am and will return at 4:30pm
Maria Resort
Maria Resort is the last one that I recently got the chance to visit on the island. Out of the 4, it’s the one that I enjoyed the least. Opened 3 years ago, Maria Resort has, nonetheless, some advantages that are interesting and the daily rate packaged at 17 500 CFA Francs { 26 Euros or 30 USD } is one of them. It gives you access to the resort from and back to Abidjan, you will have the option of choosing in between barbecued fish or chicken for lunch with a side of attiéké, fried plantains or yams and enjoy the leisure activities available.
{More information}
- Room rates: 60 000 CFA Francs { 91 Euros or 103 USD } {including the road-trip from Abidjan and the breakfast}
- Average cost at the restaurant: 10 000 CFA Francs per person { 15 Euros or 17 USD }
- Contact: +225 07353566 or +225 09513451| Facebook page
- The boat will depart from Espace Mima at 10am and will return at 4pm
{Tips by Afrofoodie}
- If your schedule allows, I will recommend a visit to Ile Boulay during the week. You are most likely to enjoy the resort on your own.
- When calling you to make your reservation, ensure that there are no conferences, workshops or team building activities scheduled on the day of your visit.
- Contact STL : +225 88 10 87 87
Love love this resorts. Definitely visiting one of them when I come to Abidjan
Yay ! Looking forward to welcoming you in Côte d’Ivoire my dear Pinki.
Thanks for the wonderful and detailed reviews. Trying to arrange plans for my birthday weekend which i intend spending in Cote D’Ivoire (I’m Ghanaian) and this goes a long way for making good choices. Nicely done!
Hello Hello, I am glad you found this helpful and even happier to learn that you intend to spend your birthday in Côte d’Ivoire. Hope you will have a great time. Thank you
which of the resorts are close to each other? can you walk from one resort to the other?
Hello Hello, thanks for stopping by and reading this post. You can’t walk from one resort to another. The only way to move in and out of a resort is by boat. Hope it helps. Don’t hesitate if you have any other questions.