This study determined the composition and density of beach sand litter at Eleko Beach (EB) and Elegushi Royal Beach (ERB), Lagos State, Nigeria, with particular attention to variation across observations conducted before, during and after weekends and holidays. Field observations were conducted at the two beaches using a standardized litter assessment procedure. A 50 m × 50 m sampling plot was demarcated, within which a 5 m × 5 m quadrant was randomly positioned. Litter items were identified, counted and expressed as items/m², while beach cleanliness was assessed using the Clean Coast Index (CCI). Six observations were undertaken at each beach. Ten litter categories were recorded. Shells constituted the dominant category at both beaches. The highest recorded shell densities were approximately 0.056 items/m² at Eleko and 0.057 items/m² at Elegushi, whereas ropes recorded the lowest densities of approximately 0.012 and 0.011 items/m², respectively. CCI values at Eleko ranged from 1.86 to 4.57 and therefore fell within the very-clean or clean categories under the classification used in this study, while Elegushi values ranged from 1.42 to 3.98 and similarly fell within the very-clean or clean categories. The reported t-test for Elegushi showed no significant difference in litter density before and after the peak period (t = −0.96542, p = 0.3476). The study provides site-specific evidence on litter composition, density and temporal variation at two important coastal tourism destinations in Lagos State and highlights the need for continued monitoring and targeted beach-management interventions.

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