The article describes the geomorphological processes concerned in the evolution of the Gold Coast shore line, and the habitat factors to which the coastal vegetation is exposed. Two types of lagoon are distinguished, and a distinction based on habitat is drawn between strand vegetation and lagoon vegetation. The former is divided into pioneer, main strand and evergreen shrub zones; the latter into herbaceous and mangrove zones. The composition and distribution of each zone is described. The effect of the various habitat factors on these several plant communities and their possible successional relationships are discussed. Comparisons are made with the coastal vegetation of other tropical Atlantic shores.