Tema is West Africa’s beating commercial heart — a planned port city just 25 kilometres east of Accra that punches well above its weight as a cruise destination. Few ports on the continent offer such an immediate gateway to history, wildlife, and street food culture as this one. Step ashore here and you’re within striking distance of everything from ancient slave trade monuments to sizzling roadside grills.
Arriving by Ship
Tema Harbour is one of the largest and most modern ports in West Africa, so cruise ship arrivals are generally smooth and well-organised. The terminal itself is functional rather than atmospheric, but that changes quickly once you pass through the gates. Taxis, organised tour vehicles, and local guides are typically waiting just outside, ready to whisk you the short drive into Accra or to nearby attractions. The port infrastructure has improved significantly in recent years, and most cruise passengers find the process of clearing the terminal and getting oriented relatively hassle-free. That said, it’s worth arranging your transport in advance during busier periods to avoid any waiting around.
Things to Do
Accra is the obvious first stop, and a half-day barely scratches the surface. Start at Independence Square, an enormous open plaza built to mark Ghana’s liberation in 1957, then walk through Jamestown — Accra’s oldest neighbourhood — where colonial-era lighthouses and colourful fishing boats create a genuinely compelling backdrop. The National Museum of Ghana offers an excellent primer on Akan culture and Ghanaian history if you’re arriving without much context.
For something more emotionally significant, the Assin Manso Slave River Site and Cape Coast Castle are unmissable. Cape Coast Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where thousands of enslaved people were held before crossing the Atlantic — a deeply moving, essential piece of human history. 🎟 Book: Assin Manso Slave River Site and Cape Coast Castle Day Tour The journey takes around two to three hours each way, so plan this as a full-day commitment.
Nature lovers should carve out time for Shai Hills Resource Reserve, a remarkable patch of savannah about 50 kilometres north of Tema. It’s home to baboons, kob antelope, and ostriches, and you can explore ancient caves once used by the Shai people. 🎟 Book: Discover Nature at Shai Hills If you’d prefer a broader Accra experience covering key cultural landmarks in a single sweep, a guided day tour makes excellent use of limited port time. 🎟 Book: Experience the Beauty, History and the Culture Of Accra in a Day
Local Food
This is where Tema and Accra truly come alive. Chichinga — skewered, spiced meat grilled over open charcoal — is the iconic street snack you’ll smell before you see it. Found at roadside stalls throughout the city, it’s typically made with beef, chicken, or lamb, rubbed with groundnut powder and aromatic spices. Don’t leave without trying it.
Beyond chichinga, look out for waakye (rice and beans cooked together with sorghum leaves, served with a dizzying array of toppings including fried plantain, boiled eggs, and shito — Ghana’s smoky, spicy black pepper sauce). Jollof rice is a West African staple, and Ghanaians will cheerfully argue it’s the finest version on the continent. Fresh seafood is excellent near the harbour, particularly grilled tilapia served with banku, a fermented corn and cassava dough that takes some getting used to but rewards the adventurous.
Shopping
Accra’s markets are extraordinary sensory experiences. Makola Market in central Accra is the city’s largest and most chaotic, selling everything from fabrics to household goods to fresh produce — not always the easiest place to navigate but full of authentic local life. For crafts and souvenirs, the Arts Centre (also known as the Centre for National Culture) is better suited to visitors, with dozens of stalls selling kente cloth, carved wooden masks, beaded jewellery, and Adinkra-printed fabrics. Kente cloth in particular makes a beautiful and meaningful memento — the geometric patterns carry specific cultural and symbolic significance, so don’t be shy about asking vendors to explain what you’re buying.
Practical Tips
Ghana uses the Ghanaian cedi (GHS), and while USD is occasionally accepted at tourist-facing businesses, having local currency will serve you better at markets and street stalls. ATMs are available in Accra. The heat and humidity in Tema can be intense, particularly between November and March, so light, breathable clothing is essential along with sunscreen and a reusable water bottle. Traffic between Tema and central Accra can be genuinely significant — build extra time into your plans. Most Ghanaians are warm and welcoming towards visitors, and a few words of greeting in Twi (the most widely spoken local language) will earn you instant goodwill. Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory.
Cruises That Visit Tema, Ghana
Tema appears on itineraries operated by several major cruise lines, most notably MSC Cruises, which has grown its West Africa presence considerably and regularly includes Tema as a port call on longer voyages around the African continent. Silversea and Crystal Cruises have historically featured Tema on their more adventurous, expedition-style itineraries aimed at travellers seeking off-the-beaten-path destinations. Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, popular with British passengers, has also included Tema on its West African voyages.
These sailings typically depart from European home ports — Southampton, Lisbon, and Las Palmas are among the most common — with voyage lengths generally ranging from 14 to 28 nights. Repositioning cruises and full circumnavigation itineraries occasionally include Tema as part of broader African coastal routings.
The best time to visit Tema by sea aligns with Ghana’s dry season, running roughly from November through to early April, when humidity drops, skies are clearer, and outdoor exploration is far more comfortable.
🚢 Cruises That Stop at Tema Ghana
Ready to book a cruise to Tema Ghana?
Compare itineraries, prices, and cabin types from all the major cruise lines — with a best price guarantee and no booking fees.
🔍 Search Cruises to Tema Ghana →
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Tema may not yet have the name recognition of Cape Town or Alexandria, but that’s precisely what makes it so rewarding — this is West Africa’s history, food, and spirit in an unfiltered, genuinely authentic form, best experienced before the crowds discover it.
🎟️ Things to Book in Advance
These highly-rated experiences fill up fast — book before you arrive to avoid missing out.
This page contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
📍 Getting to Tema Ghana
Use the interactive map below to explore the port area and plan your route from the terminal.
Leave a Reply