Dakar is a city that faces the ocean: the Cap-Vert peninsula juts into the Atlantic, lined with cliffs, coves and islands. Yet many visitors leave without ever getting off the beach. Here is our guide to sea activities in Dakar: what to do on the water, where to go, how much it costs and when to go.
At Senegal Nautique, we take travellers, families, groups of friends and Dakar residents out to sea every day, by clear kayak, by boat, by jet ski or under the eye of a drone. This guide gathers what we have learned on the water: the outings that are really worth it, the differences between our bases, the right times of day depending on the wind, itineraries that work well over an hour, half a day or a full day, and the safety rules to know before you board.
Whether you are looking for a calm and contemplative sea outing in Dakar, a shot of adrenaline, a trip to the islands or simply a great activity to share at the weekend, you will find everything you need here to plan your day. We talk about our own activities, but also about those offered by other operators along the coast, such as diving, surfing and fishing, so that you have the full picture.
In short: the four main sea activities in Dakar are clear kayaking in Ouakam and Ngor (from 6,000 F per kayak), private boat trips to Ngor, the Almadies, Gorée or the Îles de la Madeleine (from 60,000 F per boat), jet skiing in Mermoz (from 15,000 F for 10 minutes) and drone photo shoots on the water (from 35,000 F). Our bases are open every day from 11am to 7pm, depending on sea conditions, and the dry season, from November to June, often brings the most pleasant conditions.
Why head out to sea in Dakar?
Dakar has a geography unlike anywhere else in West Africa. The city sits on a peninsula that forms the westernmost point of the African continent, the Pointe des Almadies. The result: the ocean is everywhere. To the west, the rocky coast of Ouakam, the Mamelles and the Almadies faces the open sea. To the north, the bay of Ngor and its island shelter calmer waters. To the south and east, the Dakar harbour opens onto Gorée Island. And a few kilometres off the Corniche, the Îles de la Madeleine archipelago forms a national park that can only be reached by sea.
From land, you only see part of this scenery. The basalt cliffs of Ouakam, for example, only truly reveal themselves from the water: caves, natural arches, volcanic columns and coves you cannot reach on foot. The Mosque of the Divinity, set at the foot of the cliffs, takes on another dimension when you look at it from a kayak. The Mamelles lighthouse, perched on its hill, appears from an angle few people know. That is why sea activities in Dakar are not just water sports: they are also the best way to understand the city.
Going out to sea also means changing pace. Dakar is a lively capital, sometimes noisy, often congested. A hundred metres from the shore, the noise fades, the air is cooler, and the city becomes a panorama. Many of our guests tell us that their sea outing was the most relaxing moment of their stay, even when it was a full-throttle jet ski session.
Finally, the sea in Dakar is accessible. You do not need to be sporty, or even to know how to swim for most guided activities, since a life jacket is provided and mandatory. Children can board a kayak from age 6 with an adult, groups can hire a private boat, and short outings let you fit an activity between two appointments or before lunch on the Corniche. There is a sea outing for every profile, every budget and every schedule, and that is what we detail in the following sections.
Clear kayaking and paddleboarding
Clear kayaking is the most requested sea activity in Dakar, and the one we recommend starting with. Its perfectly transparent polycarbonate hull shows the seabed beneath your feet: volcanic rocks, seagrass, schools of fish. In good weather and calm seas, it feels like floating in mid-air. Depending on the day, the water can be a stunning turquoise or greener and choppier: clarity depends on the swell, the wind and the season, and nobody can guarantee it in advance.
We offer clear kayaking at two main bases. In Ouakam, outings leave from the beach of the Mosque of the Divinity: you follow the cliffs, pass in front of the mosque and explore the small coves along the coast. In Ngor, you leave from Ngor beach, near La Cabane du Pêcheur, and paddle in the bay facing Ngor Island, in waters that are usually more sheltered. Lac Rose and the Pointe des Almadies are available on request: in that case, the kayak transport is paid by the customer and the amount is given at booking.
The price is simple: 6,000 F per kayak, solo or tandem, with or without an instructor. The life jacket is provided, you do not need to know how to swim, and children are welcome from age 6 with an adult. Most of the time, you can come without booking, every day from 11am to 7pm. For groups or weekend slots, a WhatsApp message the day before makes sure there are enough kayaks available.
For those who want to go further, two options complement the kayak. Paddleboarding, at 5,000 F per person for half an hour, is available in Ouakam and Ngor when the sea allows: it is excellent balance training, and a different way to see the seabed. The Ouakam to Mamelles exploration, at 20,000 F per person, is a real adventure of about two hours, led by a guide, along the great cliffs to Mamelles beach. It must be booked in advance and suits people who are comfortable on the water. All the details are on our clear kayak page.
Boat trips to the islands
A boat trip in Dakar is the ideal sea activity for groups, families with young children, birthdays and anyone who wants to see a lot of coastline in little time. We work with two private boats: an 8-seat boat and a large boat that can take up to 15 passengers. Departures are from the Port of Dakar or Ngor, depending on the route, and every passenger is given a life jacket.
With the 8-seat boat, routes leave from Ngor. The tour of Ngor Island, about 20 minutes, costs 60,000 F per boat: it is the shortest outing, perfect for a first time. The Ngor, Almadies point and lighthouse loop, about an hour, costs 75,000 F and passes off the westernmost point of Africa. The long Ngor, Almadies, Ouakam and Mamelles lighthouse trip, 1 hour 30 to 2 hours, costs 150,000 F and follows the whole west coast. Finally, the trip to Snake Islet, about 3 hours, costs 200,000 F.
The large boat leaves from the Port of Dakar. The trip to Gorée, about two hours, costs 150,000 F for the private boat and lets you discover the historic island from the sea. The Gorée and Snake Islet option, about 3 hours 30, costs 225,000 F. For groups who want to take their time, a half day at sea and long trips to the Mamelles or the Pointe des Almadies are also possible. Finally, the trip to Sarpan Island, in the Îles de la Madeleine national park, is quoted on request: the park’s rules prohibit landing or anchoring without authorisation, so we circle the archipelago from the sea.
To turn the outing into a celebration, you can add a platter on board: the Mix Discovery platter (26 sweet and savoury pieces) at 15,000 F, or the Mix Gourmet platter (50 pieces) at 30,000 F. Boat trips must be booked in advance, ideally a few days ahead for weekends. Find all the routes on our boat trip page and in our complete guide to boat trips in Dakar.
Fancy a sea outing?
Clear kayak from 6,000 F, private boat from 60,000 F, jet ski from 15,000 F. Every day from 11am to 7pm, life jackets provided.
Book an outingJet ski in Mermoz
If you are looking for thrills, jet skiing in Dakar is the sea activity for you. Our jet ski base is on Mermoz beach, on the Corniche, near the Wassa Beach restaurant. Mermoz is for jet skis only: there are no kayaks at this base. The jet skis leave straight from the beach and speed along the coast, with the city on one side and the Atlantic on the other.
Prices are per jet ski: 15,000 F for 10 minutes, 45,000 F for half an hour and 70,000 F for an hour. Ten minutes is enough to get a taste of speed and understand the machine. Half an hour lets you really find your feet and enjoy the coastline. The full hour gives you time to explore the coast and take breaks to admire the scenery. You can ride alone or two on the same jet ski, and the price stays the same since it is calculated per machine.
Safety comes first. Before each departure, a team member gives a safety briefing: how the throttle works, riding zones, distances to keep from swimmers, pirogues and other craft, and what to do if you fall off. The life jacket is included and mandatory for both rider and passenger. Riding zones are adapted to the day’s sea conditions: when the wind picks up or the swell grows, the team may shorten the route or postpone the outing.
Jet skiing is especially popular late in the day, when the light turns golden over the Corniche, and with groups of friends who take turns on several jet skis. To book, the easiest way is to contact Alioune, who runs the Mermoz base, directly on +221 77 404 02 31, or to go through our jet ski in Mermoz page. Weekend slots go quickly: book the day before if you are coming as a group. And if you want a souvenir of the session, ask us for a drone shoot at the same time: jet ski images seen from the sky are among the most spectacular we produce.
Drone photo shoots on the water
A drone photo shoot is not a sea activity like the others: it is the way to take the sea home with you. A pilot from our team shoots aerial photos and videos while you are on the water, most often in a clear kayak. Seen from the sky, the hull disappears, the water and rocks seem to carry the kayak, and the result looks like no photo taken from the beach.
It is the favourite service of couples, marriage proposals, birthdays, bachelorette parties and content creators. We have also done shoots for brands, artists and events, such as Miss Sénégal France. Shoots take place in Ouakam, Ngor or the Almadies, depending on the light, the wind and the day’s sea conditions: the team advises you on the best spot when you book.
Prices decrease with group size: 35,000 F solo, 25,000 F per person for two and 20,000 F per person from three people, with kayaks paid on top (6,000 F per kayak). Photos are sent right after the session. We recommend booking 24 to 48 hours in advance, as the pilot must be available and the weather favourable. If the wind is too strong to fly the drone safely, the session is rescheduled.
A few tips for great images. Go for bright colours: red, yellow, pink, orange or white stand out beautifully against the blue and green of the sea. Long dresses, sarongs and flowing outfits give movement to the images. Avoid light blue or sea-green outfits, which blend into the ocean. Simple accessories, such as a straw hat or sunglasses, work very well. Finally, choose late-morning or late-afternoon slots, when the light is softer. See examples of our images on our drone shoot page.
Diving, surfing and sea fishing
Our team does not offer these activities, but they are part of what the Dakar coast has to offer and are worth knowing about. They pair well with a kayak or boat outing, especially if you are staying in Dakar for several days.
Scuba diving is the most immersive sea activity. The volcanic rocky seabed is home to varied marine life: rockfish, moray eels, octopus, rays and sometimes turtles. The reference centre is the Océanium, on the Corniche Est facing Gorée, which offers try dives, guided dives and courses. The best-known sites are around Gorée, the Îles de la Madeleine and on wrecks offshore. Visibility varies a lot with the season and currents: check with the centre before booking. For a first look at the seabed without putting your head underwater, clear kayaking remains an excellent alternative.
Surfing is an institution in Dakar. The waves of Ngor have been famous since the 1960s, and the spots of Yoff, the Almadies and Ouakam attract surfers from all over the world. Several schools offer beginner lessons and board rental. Conditions vary a lot with the swell and wind: beginners often find the most accessible waves on sandy beaches, with an instructor.
Sea fishing, finally, attracts sport fishing enthusiasts. In Ngor, La Cabane du Pêcheur and the Atlantic Evasion hotel organise trips offshore, in search of jacks, sea bream, wahoo or barracuda depending on the season. You can also simply watch the fishing pirogues come back to the beaches of Ngor, Yoff or Soumbédioune, a very colourful sight in the late afternoon. For an overview of all these options, read our article on water activities to do in Dakar, which lists thirteen of them.
When to go out to sea in Dakar?
You can do sea activities in Dakar all year round, but conditions change with the season and the time of day. Understanding these variations will help you choose the right moment, and avoid disappointment if the sea is not exactly like in the photos.
The dry season, from November to June, is the most popular period. The sky is often clear, it hardly ever rains, and the sea is frequently calmer in the morning and early afternoon. It is also the trade wind season: a northerly wind that cools the air but can whip up a chop late in the day, especially from February to April. The water is cooler then, around 19 to 21°C in the heart of winter, which sometimes surprises visitors but remains very pleasant by kayak or boat. Early in the year, the harmattan can also bring a veil of dust that makes the light milkier.
The rainy season, from July to October, is the hot and humid season. The water warms up noticeably and can exceed 27°C, the air is heavy, and showers or storms break out from time to time, often late in the day or at night. Between two episodes, the sea can be very beautiful and quiet. You simply need to stay flexible and check conditions on the day. It is also a pleasant time for jet skiing, if you do not mind getting wet.
Over a day, the best times depend on the activity. For clear kayaking and drone shoots, late morning, when our bases open at 11am, often brings a smoother sea and good light to see the seabed. Mid-afternoon can be windier. The end of the day, from 5pm to 7pm, is perfect for jet skiing and sunset boat trips. In any case, the sea decides: we can never guarantee clear or turquoise water, and the team may postpone an outing if conditions are not safe. Feel free to call us on the day to check the sea. To learn more about water clarity, read our article on Dakar’s crystal-clear water.
Itinerary ideas at sea
Do you have an hour, half a day or a full day? Here are some itineraries that work well, tested with our guests. They are easy to adapt to your group, your budget and the day’s weather.
One hour between two appointments. Head to Ouakam or Ngor for a clear kayak outing. In an hour, you have time to gear up, listen to the instructions, paddle along the cliffs or in the bay, and come back to the beach. Count 6,000 F per kayak. If you prefer speed, a 10 or 30-minute jet ski session in Mermoz also fits in this slot. It is the ideal plan for a stopover in Dakar or a last day before your flight.
Half a day in Ngor. Start with the tour of Ngor Island by boat, then move on to a clear kayak outing in the bay, and finish with a grilled fish lunch on the beach or a pirogue crossing to the island for a swim. Ngor packs many activities into a small area, which saves long trips across the city. For a more ambitious half day, the boat loop to the Almadies or the Mamelles lets you see the whole west coast.
A full day at sea. In the morning, leave the Port of Dakar on the large boat for Gorée and Snake Islet, or for the Îles de la Madeleine on a quote. In the afternoon, head to Ouakam for a clear kayak outing with a drone shoot, when the light becomes softer. End the day with a jet ski session in Mermoz at sunset, then dinner on the Corniche. This is the plan we recommend to groups of friends and travellers who only have a weekend.
With the family. With young children, choose short, sheltered outings: clear kayaking in Ngor, where the water is often calmer, and the tour of Ngor Island by boat. Children love seeing the fish under the hull. Find more ideas in our article on family activities in Dakar.
Safety and practical tips
A good sea outing is first and foremost a safe one. At Senegal Nautique, the life jacket is provided and mandatory for all our activities, for adults and children alike. Before each departure, the team explains the instructions: how to get in and out of the kayak, how to paddle, where to go, what to do if you fall in or get tired. Riding zones are chosen according to the day’s sea, and outings may be shortened, moved or postponed if the wind or swell becomes too strong.
For clear kayaking, you do not need to know how to swim, since the life jacket keeps you afloat and you stay close to the shore. Children are welcome from age 6, always with an adult. For jet skiing, a safety briefing precedes every session, and the team keeps watch from the beach. On the boat, every passenger wears a life jacket and the skipper knows the coast perfectly. Let us know when booking about any special situation, such as pregnancy, a health issue or a fear of water, so that we can adapt the outing.
As for gear, wear clothes that do not mind getting wet: swimsuit, shorts or a light dress, and sandals that are easy to take off. Bring sunscreen, a cap or hat, sunglasses and a bottle of water. The sun is strong on the water, even when it feels cool. A waterproof pouch for your phone is highly recommended, especially for kayaking and jet skiing. Keep valuables to a minimum and remember a towel and dry clothes for afterwards.
To book, the easiest way is our booking page: you choose the activity, the base, the date and the time, and a prefilled WhatsApp message goes straight to our team, who confirm quickly. You can also write to us on +221 77 867 55 58 for kayaking, boat trips and drone shoots, or contact Alioune on +221 77 404 02 31 for jet skiing. Kayaking can usually be done without booking, but boat trips, the Mamelles exploration and drone shoots must be booked in advance.
Frequently asked questions
What sea activities can you do in Dakar?
The most popular are clear kayaking in Ouakam and Ngor, boat trips to Ngor, the Almadies, Gorée or the Îles de la Madeleine, jet skiing in Mermoz and drone photo shoots on the water. You can also paddleboard, dive, surf and go sea fishing.
How much does a sea outing in Dakar cost?
With Senegal Nautique, clear kayaking costs 6,000 F per kayak, paddleboarding 5,000 F for half an hour, jet skiing 15,000 F for 10 minutes and a private boat trip from 60,000 F for the tour of Ngor Island. Drone shoots start at 35,000 F.
Do you need to know how to swim to kayak in Dakar?
No. The life jacket is provided and mandatory, and the outing stays close to the shore with the team’s instructions. Children are welcome from age 6 with an adult.
What is the best season for sea activities in Dakar?
The dry season, from November to June, often brings clear skies and a calmer sea in the morning. The rainy season, from July to October, brings warmer water and a few showers. You can go out all year round, depending on the day’s sea conditions.
What time should you go out to sea?
Our bases are open every day from 11am to 7pm. Late morning is often ideal for kayaking and drone shoots, the end of the day for jet skiing and sunset boat trips.
Do you need to book a sea outing in advance?
Clear kayaking can usually be done without booking. Boat trips, the Mamelles exploration and drone shoots must be booked in advance, ideally the day before or a few days ahead for weekends.
Can you go on a sea outing in Dakar with children?
Yes. Clear kayaking is open from age 6 with an adult, and boat trips suit all ages. With young children, choose short outings in Ngor, where the water is often more sheltered.
What happens if the sea is too rough?
The team may shorten the route, switch bases or postpone the outing if conditions are not safe. Call us on the day to check the sea before you travel.