10 Best Beaches in Dakar
What is the Most Popular Beach in Dakar?
With over 480 km of sandy coastline, the best beaches in Dakar are also some of West Africa’s best. Nearly all beaches are public and are places for locals to exercise, socialise and relax in each other’s company. Fishing boats line the sands, and eateries serving fresh seafood are plentiful.
Dakar’s location at the tip of the Cap-Vert Peninsula means there are sandy shores in almost every direction. Most are very lively, but you can find a few calm coves tucked along the coast. Some of the most interesting spots are located on 2 islands off Dakar’s coast and are easily accessible by ferry boat. Read on for the best beaches Dakar has to offer.
1. Île de N’gor
A day of beach-hopping
Ideal para: Aventura, Alimentação
Île de N’gor is an ideal place for an entire day at the beach. The island has 4 small beaches, each peppered with parasols and sunbeds and bordered by clear blue waters. The calmer bayside beaches are ideal for swimming and fishing, while the northern coast hosts surfable swells.
The island feels like a laid-back little village: a web of sandy streets shaded with palm trees and animated by an artsy community. Spend a day strolling, beach hopping and dining on fresh seafood at the local eateries. Boats to the island depart about every 30 minutes from Plage de N’Gor.
Île de N'gor
2. Plage de Yoff
A centre of local culture and recreation
Ideal para: Alimentação, Famílias
Plage de Yoff is the place to immerse yourself in local beach culture. The Senegalese value fitness, and as most of the country’s many beaches are free to the public, this is where locals come to get their daily exercise. Young people play football and practice lutte wrestling in the sands, and low waves make this a suitable surf spot.
Take it all in as you stroll along the shore, one of the longest stretches of sand in Dakar. Stop at a beach shack for a plate of fried fish followed by attaya, a traditional green tea with mint. Friday afternoons and weekends see the beach at its liveliest.
Plage de Yoff
3. Baie de Mermoz
A serene spot near the city centre
Ideal para: Famílias, Casais
Located on Corniche Ouest in the southwest of Dakar, the Baie de Mermoz is a clean, laid-back beach not far from the urban centre. This beach feels surprisingly secluded, perhaps because of its compact size, and generally offers a quiet, pleasant place to relax and wade in the water.
Take a break from a busy day exploring the city’s markets and museums with a little afternoon sunbathing. Note that the beach has few amenities, so it’s a good idea to pack a lunch or a snack.
Baie de Mermoz
4. Plage de Virage
Surfing and lounging on the city’s north side
Ideal para: Famílias, Aventura
Plage du Virage lies on the city’s northern coast, a short drive from the Léopold Sedar-Senghor International Airport. It’s mostly locals that crowd this small beach on the weekends, with families gathering under parasols and kids kicking a ball around in the shallow waters as aircraft pass overhead.
This beach is especially popular with surfers for its consistent waves, and Tribal Surf Shop offers equipment rentals and lessons. On a low-energy afternoon, rent a beach lounger and flag down one of the hawkers selling bouye, a sweet milky drink made with baobab fruit.
Plage de Virage
5. Plage des Mamelles
For sunsets and socialising
Ideal para: Vida noturna, Foto
Tucked beneath the Mamelles Lighthouse on Dakar’s west coast, Plage des Mamelles is one of the city’s best-loved beaches. Locals and travellers alike gather for beers at the beach bars that line its sandy shores, where hammocks and a reggae soundtrack set a laid-back tone.
A gently shelving beach and clear waters make this a great place to swim, although it’s good to keep an eye out for big waves. Above all, this west-facing beach is a great spot to stretch out on the sand and savour a spectacular sunset.
Plage des Mamelles
6. Petite Ngor Beach
Seafood by the seaside
Ideal para: Alimentação, Famílias
As the departure point for boats heading to the charming Île de N’Gor, Petite N’gor Beach is always a lively spot. Its clear turquoise waters are equally as popular with fishers at work as they are with families going for a swim. The soft sands are lined with faded umbrellas, snack shacks and eye-catching red-and-white painted boats.
Situated between upscale Les Almadies and the traditional fishing village of N’gor, it’s no surprise that the beach is home to Cabane du Pêcheur, a seafood restaurant with European flair. The restaurant is one of the best in Dakar for fresh seafood with an ocean view, serving fresh fish, shellfish and lobster from tables in the sand.
Petite Ngor Beach
7. Popenguine
Stunning scenery in a quiet coastal town
Ideal para: Aventura, Foto
About an hour southeast of Dakar city is Popenguine, a town within the long expanse of sandy shoreline that is the Petite-Côte. An anomaly in predominantly Muslim Senegal, the town is home to many Catholics and the beautiful Notre-Dame de la Délivrance, a church overlooking the sea that is a popular pilgrimage spot.
The town’s tranquil beach stretches for kilometres along the coast, and its location within a nature reserve makes it particularly serene. Hiking trails through the hilly reserve, which is a significant habitat for migratory birds, weave through mangroves and offer panoramic views of the ocean.
Popenguine
8. Petit Plage de Gorée
A lively beach on a historic island
Ideal para: Famílias, História
The Petit Plage de Gorée is located on Gorée Island, a small island off the coast of Dakar recognised by UNESCO for its historic significance. Once a major centre of the Atlantic slave trade, it serves as a reminder of one of humanity’s greatest atrocities. Walking the cobbled streets, visitors see the contrast of stately colonial homes adjacent to grim slave quarters, and museums and memorials chronicle the history of the slave trade.
This tiny beach tends to be lively and full, with throngs of children playing in the shallow waters. For a deeper dive, jump in from the end of the jetty that juts out on the beach’s righthand side.
Petit Plage de Gorée
9. Plage des Amoureux
A compact beach with amenities
Ideal para: Famílias, História
One of 2 beaches on the must-see Gorée Island, Plage des Amoureux is a peaceful little stretch of golden sand and calm waters. Its name translates to Lovers’ Beach and it’s a favourite of locals and tourists alike.
The beach is located at the island’s northern tip, just below the walls of the Ancien Fort d’Estrées, which houses the IFAN Historical Museum. Surrounded by historical sites, this area has many amenities, and there is usually a lifeguard on duty. For excellent sweet and savoury crepes 2 minutes from the beach, visit the charming La Crêpe Saint-Louisienne.
Plage des Amoureux
10. Plage de la Voile d’Or
Water sports galore at this private beach
Ideal para: Aventura, Luxo
Plage de la Voile d’Or is one of few private beaches in Dakar, located in the southeast of the city near several upscale resorts. Visitors must pay a fee to enter and will find the beach less crowded than most. The resorts keep the beach clean and offer access to washrooms and changing stalls.
Proximity to the port means this may not be the best area to swim, but the wave-free, uncrowded waters make it excellent for sailing and jet skiing. Otherwise, enjoy the spacious sands in the shade of lush palm trees and watch the clouds float by.
Plage de la Voile d'Or
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