← Liberia Marathon·2 nights

Robertsport: Surf Town on the Cape Mount Coast

Two nights in a surf town on the Cape Mount coast, with a boat trip on Lake Piso and a beach to walk when your legs allow.

Duration2 nights
TransitPrivate car or shared taxi, 3 to 5 hours on a dirt road from Monrovia
DepartsMonrovia

After the Liberia Marathon: Robertsport

The Route: Monrovia → Robertsport → Monrovia → Roberts International Airport (ROB) Logistics: A 3 to 5 hour drive each way, the last stretch on dirt. Hire a car and driver through a Monrovia hotel, or take a shared taxi from Duala Market in north-west Monrovia. Marathon Month: November Duration: 2 nights

Monrovia ──(3 to 5 hours, paved then dirt road)──> Robertsport ──(3 to 5 hours)──> Monrovia ──> Roberts International Airport (ROB)

The road to Robertsport leaves the pavement north of Monrovia and runs on dirt, with Lake Piso on your right for nearly 30 miles before the town. Plan for six to ten hours in a vehicle across the trip. Your legs will stiffen, so stop for a short walk at least every hour or so.

November in Robertsport. The dry season runs from November to April, so the dirt road is usually in better shape than in the rains. Surfing is possible all year, but the more frequent South Atlantic swells arrive between April and October, with July and August recommended for reliable swell. A November day can be small. That suits a learner and disappoints an experienced surfer.

Getting there and back

A private taxi from Monrovia or the airport cost about USD 150 one way in 2024. A shared taxi from Duala Market costs about USD 15 a seat, but it waits until it fills, carries six passengers with luggage and offers no leg room on a bad road. Post-marathon, the private car is the better choice. Agree the return day and time with the driver before you leave. The Foreign Office advises prearranged transport and avoiding travel after dark.

Nights one and two: Robertsport

Robertsport is a small surf town with a string of beaches. The main learner wave is Fisherman's, a left-hander of two to four feet over a sandy bottom. Inner Cottons breaks just outside Nana's Lodge by a large cotton tree, and Outer Cottons is a three to five foot point break for experienced surfers. The Robertsport Surf Club rents boards for USD 10, and a board with a lesson costs USD 20. Leave the board for the second day, and leave the lesson if your quads are still complaining.

The recovery walk is the beach itself. Southwest of town there is a string of isolated beaches on sand, with no gradient to speak of. To the northeast lies a busy fishing community with traditional boats. A hike to an old shipwreck takes about an hour southwest along the coast over rocky points, and sturdy shoes are needed. Skip it on the first day.

The best day for a seated outing is a boat tour of Lake Piso in a hand-carved canoe with a motor, arranged through your guesthouse. It passes fishing villages and keeps your weight off your feet.

Where to stay and eat

Philip's Guest House has rooms overlooking the beach, and the owner, Philip Banini, can arrange forest hikes and Lake Piso boat rides. Vartilda Beach Guest House sits on the beach and has a bar. Nana's Lodge, at the edge of one of the best beaches, organises beach activities. Prices are not published, so ask when you book.

Food is simple. The Robertsport Surf Club runs a snack shop and restaurant, and Nana's Lodge and Vartilda's both have bars. The Surf Club builds a beach fire after sunset for USD 10.

Getting home

Drive back to Monrovia on the third morning and allow the full five hours in case of a bad stretch. Roberts International Airport (ROB) is on the other side of Monrovia from Robertsport, so do not plan a tight connection on the same day. Sleep in Monrovia or at Robertsfield the night before a morning flight.