david korte photographs

Less than three hours north and west along the Atlantic coast from Monrovia, the village of Robertsport bakes beneath a tropical sun. Sitting below the 1000 foot granite promontory of Cape Mount, the town of approximately 4000 was named after Liberia’s first President, Joseph Jenkins Roberts. Forested hills crowd the narrow coastline where it is rumored chimpanzees still forage. Primarily a fishing village for the local population, Robertsport tries to promote West-African surfing to the world, the barrels and sliding waves at their peak from March through October.

Two lodges welcome visitors, the Kwepunha Surf Retreat and Nana’s Lodge. Kwepunha has two locations, a hotel-style lodge, shared bathrooms, meals, in the village and an open-plan rooming house down the beach. Nana’s Lodge has individual bungalows overlooking the beach, some with running water, some with shared bathrooms. Both Kwepunha and Nana’s have generated electricity evening through early morning, and provide meals.

Robertsport is an inviting break from the pressures of Monrovia. The beautiful sea and sand coastline offer friendly waters for swimming, fishing, walking the beach, or simply relaxing.