Water activities to do in Dakar: 13 ideas on the water

Clear kayaking, jet ski, boat trips, paddleboarding, diving, surfing, fishing or drone photoshoots: the water activities to do in Dakar are many, varied and often less than thirty minutes from the city centre. You still need to know which ones to choose, where to do them and how much to budget.

Here is our selection of the best water activities in Dakar, sorted by mood: the gentle side of the sea, thrills, boat trips, the underwater world and souvenirs to take home. For each one, we give you the location, the price when known and our tips from the field. At Senegal Nautique, we spend our days on the water in Ouakam, Ngor, Mermoz and at Lac Rose: this list is the one we give our friends when they come to visit.

At the end of the article, you will also find combination ideas for your profile, couple, family, group of friends or traveller in a hurry, and answers to the questions we are asked most often.

Gentle activities on the water

1. Clear kayaking. It is Dakar’s most iconic water activity today, and our speciality. The hull is completely transparent: you float above the rocks, seagrass and fish, as if walking on water. We offer it in Ouakam, below the Mosque of the Divinity, and in Ngor, facing the island. The price: 6,000 F per kayak, single or double, with or without an instructor, life jacket provided. No experience is needed and children are welcome from age 6 with an adult. All the details are on our clear kayak page.

2. Paddleboarding. Standing on a large board, you move forward with a paddle and see the sea from higher up. Paddleboarding is excellent for balance and core strength, and very pleasant on a calm sea. We offer it in Ouakam and Ngor, 5,000 F for 30 minutes, depending on sea conditions. Beginners can start on their knees before standing up.

3. The water ball at Lac Rose. About an hour from Dakar, Lake Retba owes its pink colour to a micro-alga and its extreme salinity. We offer the water ball there: you step into a large inflatable bubble and walk, run or roll on the surface of the lake. Laughter guaranteed, for children and adults alike. Count 5,000 F for 5 minutes. On request, we also organise clear kayak outings on the lake, to float on pink water unlike anywhere else in the world.

4. Classic sea kayaking. To paddle longer and cover distance, the opaque-hulled kayak is a good option. On Ngor Island, the Maison d’Italie rents kayaks and pedal boats, and the Anse Bernard canoe-kayak club, in the Plateau district, introduces newcomers to the sport. To compare everything, read our guide to kayaking in Dakar.

These activities have one thing in common: they are calm, accessible to everyone and perfect to discover Dakar’s sea without apprehension. That is where we advise you to start, especially with family or if you are not used to the water.

Thrills and adventure

5. Jet ski in Mermoz. For adrenaline, nothing beats jet skiing in Dakar. Our base is on Mermoz beach, near the Wassa Beach restaurant, on the corniche. You speed along the cliffs, with the city on one side and the ocean on the other. A safety briefing is given before each departure and the life jacket is provided. Sessions cost 15,000 F for 10 minutes, 45,000 F for half an hour and 70,000 F for an hour. Ten minutes for a taste of speed, half an hour to really get the hang of it, an hour to explore the coast. All the details are on our jet ski page.

6. The Ouakam to Mamelles kayak exploration. A real adventure of about two hours, led by a guide, along the great basalt cliffs between the Mosquée de la Divinité beach and the Mamelles beach. Caves, arches, coves that cannot be reached on foot and seabirds: it is one of the most beautiful routes on the peninsula. Count 20,000 F per person, from our Ouakam base, on booking.

7. Surfing. Dakar is one of Africa’s great surf destinations. 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 lessons and board rental, for beginners and experienced surfers alike. The best season is generally from autumn to spring, when the North Atlantic swell reaches the peninsula.

For thrill seekers, an ideal day can combine jet ski in the morning in Mermoz and a kayak exploration in the afternoon in Ouakam. Just remember to drink plenty, protect yourself from the sun and save some energy: both activities are intense, and the ocean always demands attention.

Boat trips and islands

8. The boat trip. It is the best way to understand Dakar’s geography: in a few minutes at sea, the cliffs, lighthouses and islands appear from an angle you never see from the road. At Senegal Nautique, we have an 8-seat boat and a large 15-seat boat, departing from the Port of Dakar or Ngor, privatised for your group from 60,000 F. The tour of Ngor Island takes about twenty minutes, the point and lighthouse of the Almadies about an hour, and the grand tour to the Mamelles lighthouse an hour and a half to two hours.

9. The islands: Gorée, Snake Island and Sarpan Island. For a real day at sea, head for the islands. Gorée, a UNESCO World Heritage site, can be reached by private boat without taking the ferry. Wilder, Snake Island and Sarpan Island, in the Îles de la Madeleine national park, offer basalt cliffs, turquoise coves and seabirds a few kilometres from the port. The Sarpan excursion is done aboard the large boat, on quote.

The boat is the group activity par excellence: birthday, hen party, marriage proposal, company outing or simply a day with friends. Swimming at anchor, music on board, a sweet and savoury platter of 26 or 50 pieces as an option: the outing easily turns into a picnic at sea. Booking is done on WhatsApp, with a 30% deposit by Orange Money or Wave. All routes and prices are on our boat trips page, and our guide to boat trips in Dakar helps you choose.

Our advice: for a first time, the Ngor tour or the trip to the Almadies are enough to be amazed. If you have a whole day, Gorée or Sarpan are well worth the trip.

Below the surface

10. Scuba diving. Dakar’s volcanic rocky seabeds are home to rich marine life: rockfish, moray eels, octopus, rays and sometimes turtles. The reference centre is the Océanium, on the Corniche Est facing Gorée, which offers introductory dives, guided outings and training. The best-known sites are around Gorée, the Îles de la Madeleine and on the wrecks offshore. Visibility varies a lot with the season and currents: check with the centre before booking. Certified divers can explore drop-offs and wrecks, while beginners discover the basics during an introductory dive in shallow water, with an instructor.

11. Snorkelling. With just a mask and snorkel, you can observe the seabed near the rocky shores, in Ngor, around Ngor Island or in sheltered coves. It is free if you have your own gear, but always stay in calm areas, never alone, and check the currents before getting in the water.

And if you want to see the seabed without putting your head underwater? That is the whole point of the clear kayak: in good weather, the rocks, seagrass and schools of fish glide under the hull, a few dozen centimetres from you. It is the ideal solution for children, for those who are not comfortable underwater and for those who simply want to enjoy the show comfortably seated.

The clarity of the water always depends on currents, wind and weather. Some days it is a crystal-clear turquoise; on others, greener or choppier. We can never guarantee it, but we are happy to tell you what it is like on the day: just call the base before coming. To understand when and where the water is at its best, read our article on Dakar’s crystal-clear water.

Drone photos and sea fishing

12. Drone photoshoot on the water. It is the favourite of couples, birthdays and content creators. A pilot from our team takes aerial photos and videos of you on the water, most often above a clear kayak: the invisible hull, the turquoise water and the rocks below make images you cannot get anywhere else. The price: 35,000 F solo, 25,000 F per person for two, 20,000 F per person from three, with kayaks paid on top. The photos are sent right after the session.

To make your shoot a success, go for bright colours: red, yellow, pink or white stand out beautifully against the turquoise. Long dresses, sarongs and flowing fabrics add movement to the images. The shoot is booked 24 to 48 hours in advance, in Ouakam, Ngor or the Almadies depending on the light and the sea. See examples on our drone photoshoot page.

13. Sea fishing. The waters off Dakar are renowned for sport fishing. In Ngor, the Cabane du Pêcheur and its hotel Atlantic Evasion organise offshore trips in search of jacks, sea bream, barracuda and, in season, larger fish. Evening outings sometimes cross paths with dolphins. Check directly with them for prices, season and equipment. Most trips are run on a catch and release basis for large fish, to preserve the coast’s resources.

A bonus for food lovers: back from the sea, the fish restaurants of Ngor, the Almadies or Soumbédioune await you with the grilled catch of the day. An outing at sea followed by lunch with your feet in the sand is probably the most Dakar programme there is.

Which activity for which traveller?

As a couple. A double clear kayak at the end of the day in Ouakam, a drone photoshoot to capture the moment, then dinner facing the ocean. For a special occasion, a marriage proposal or birthday, a privatised boat trip at sunset is unbeatable. Indicative budget: 6,000 F for the double kayak, 50,000 F for the shoot for two.

With family. Start with clear kayaking in Ngor, in a more sheltered bay, with an instructor for the youngest. Children love seeing the fish under the hull. Add the water ball at Lac Rose for a memorable day, or a boat tour of Ngor Island. Our guide to family activities in Dakar gives you more ideas.

With friends, hen or stag party, birthday. The winning combo: jet ski in Mermoz for adrenaline, then a privatised boat with a sweet and savoury platter and a swim. Or a fleet of clear kayaks in Ouakam with a group drone shoot, for a picture everyone will want to share. For groups of 6 or more, book 24 to 48 hours in advance.

For companies. Team building, seminar or team outing: kayak, boat and jet ski are easy to combine for a group, with a tailor-made programme. Agencies, hotels and event planners can write to us from our contact page.

Traveller in a hurry. If you only have half a day, choose clear kayaking in Ouakam: in one hour, you see the cliffs, the Mosque of the Divinity and the seabed, for 6,000 F. If you have a whole weekend, our guide what to do in Dakar and our guide to water tourism in Dakar help you build a full programme, on the water and on land. And if you have been before, try an activity you have never done: Dakar always has a new side to show from the sea.

Practical information

When to come? Water activities can be enjoyed in Dakar all year round. The dry season, from November to June, often brings clear skies and generally clearer water; the rainy season, from July to October, brings more heat, humidity and a few storms. During the day, late morning and early afternoon are often the best times to see the seabed, and late afternoon for the golden light of photos.

Hours and bases. Our bases are open every day from 11am to 7pm. Kayak and paddle in Ouakam, Mosquée de la Divinité beach, and in Ngor, Ngor beach; jet ski in Mermoz, Mermoz beach; boat from the Port of Dakar or Ngor; Lac Rose on request. To reach the team, one number: +221 77 867 55 58, on WhatsApp or by phone.

Booking. For a simple kayak outing, you can come directly. Book in advance for drone photoshoots, groups of 6 or more, the boat, the jet ski and the exploration. Our booking page lets you choose the activity, base, date and number of people in two minutes, and the request reaches our WhatsApp directly. Payment is made on site, or by Orange Money or Wave deposit for the boat.

Choose your water activity

Clear kayak, boat, jet ski or drone photoshoot: book in two minutes, the team confirms on WhatsApp.

Book an activity

Safety. The life jacket is provided and compulsory on all our activities, and a briefing is given before each departure. Knowing how to swim is not required for kayaking. Sea conditions change from one day to the next: if the swell or wind is too strong, we prefer to postpone your outing rather than take a risk. Finally, bring sunscreen, a hat, water and a waterproof pouch for your phone. You are ready to enjoy Dakar’s sea.

Getting there. All our bases are easy to reach by taxi or car from the city centre, in twenty to thirty minutes depending on traffic. In Ngor, ask for Baye Ngoné’s spot, next to La Cabane du Pêcheur; in Ouakam, meet on the small beach below the Mosque of the Divinity, near La Petite Côte restaurant; in Mermoz, look for the Wassa Beach restaurant. If in doubt, call the team, who will guide you to the meeting point.

Frequently asked questions