Dakar is a city best discovered from the sea. Within minutes of setting sail, the cliffs of Ouakam, the islands, headlands and lighthouses of the Cap-Vert peninsula appear from an angle you never see from the road. A quick tour of Ngor Island, an afternoon at Gorée or a full day out to Îlot Sarpan: a boat trip in Dakar is probably the simplest and most beautiful way to understand the capital’s geography.
Whether you are looking for a twenty-minute sea ride for a first time, a boat excursion of several hours with friends or a private charter to celebrate a birthday, a hen party or a team success, there is no shortage of options. You still need to know which boat to choose, which route suits your group, how much to budget and how booking works. That is exactly what this guide covers, in detail, along with practical ideas for turning a simple sea trip into a real event, whether there are two, eight or fifteen of you on board.
At Senegal Nautique, we run sea trips in Dakar on two boats, both leaving from the pier at the Port of Dakar: a comfortable and fast 8-seat boat, and a large boat that takes up to 15 passengers. In the pages that follow, you will find a presentation of both boats, all our routes with their durations and prices, ideas for a festive outing, practical tips and answers to the most frequent questions. Whether you are a visitor passing through, an expatriate living in Dakar or a local who has never seen the city from the sea, you are sure to find the trip that suits you. Each section is designed to help you decide quickly and book with confidence. Happy reading, and see you on the water.
Which boat to choose?
The 8-seat boat
Our 8-seat boat is the ideal companion for small groups and short to medium trips. It carries up to 8 passengers in real comfort, with a shaded area to shelter from the sun and life jackets provided for everyone. Powered by twin 300 hp engines, it moves quickly from one point of the peninsula to another, so you see a lot in little time and make the most of every minute at sea.
It is the right choice for a first boat trip in Dakar, for a couple, a family or a small group of friends. Its routes cover the finest sights on the coast: the tour of Ngor Island, the Pointe and Lighthouse of the Almadies, the Ouakam coast up to the Mamelles Lighthouse, Îlot du Serpent and even Gorée, combined with Îlot du Serpent. Trips last from about twenty minutes to several hours, so you can fit the outing around your plans, whether you have an hour to spare or a whole half day to dedicate to the sea.
The 8-seat boat offers two options. With private hire, you book the whole boat on the date and time of your choice, from 60,000 F for the tour of Ngor Island. With a shared departure, you simply book your seats on a scheduled trip, from 8,000 F per person, alongside other passengers. Shared departures run on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 11am, 2pm and 5pm, and weekday trips are possible on request. It is a flexible formula that makes a sea trip accessible even for solo travellers or couples. For the most beautiful light, the 5pm departure is often our passengers’ favourite, returning just as the sky starts to glow over the peninsula. It is also the perfect slot for a romantic outing or a sunset toast with friends.
The large boat
For larger groups and longer trips, our large boat welcomes up to 15 passengers. Its spacious deck lets everyone get together, move around, enjoy the sun or the shade, and swim during stops offshore. It is the boat for big occasions: birthdays, hen and stag parties, company outings, family reunions or simply days out with friends who want to experience the sea on a grand scale.
Its routes are designed to take your time. It sails to Gorée in about two hours, adds Îlot du Serpent for a three-and-a-half-hour trip, offers a half day at sea from 9am to 1:30pm, follows Ouakam to the Mamelles Lighthouse or goes on to the Pointe des Almadies for a big six-hour outing. It is also the only one that reaches Îlot Sarpan, for a real day offshore, on quote. On board, the atmosphere is that of a cruise among friends: everyone finds their spot, at the front for sunshine and photos, or under cover to chat and share a food platter.
As with the 8-seat boat, two options are available: private hire, with the boat all to yourself and your group, or a shared departure, priced per passenger depending on available seats. Private hire of the large boat starts at 150,000 F for the Gorée trip, and shared departures at 10,000 F per person. Both boats leave from the pier at the Port of Dakar, and departures from other beaches remain possible on request. To confirm your seat, a 30% deposit is paid by Orange Money or Wave, then our team validates your booking and confirms the time with you on WhatsApp. For a group of more than eight, the large boat is clearly the one you need, and it offers plenty of room for everyone to relax.
Routes of the 8-seat boat
| Trip | Duration | Private hire | Shared |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tour of Ngor Island | About 20 min | 60,000 F | 8,000 F / person |
| Ngor → Pointe and Lighthouse of the Almadies | About 1 h | 75,000 F | 10,000 F / person |
| Ngor → Almadies → Ouakam → Mamelles Lighthouse | 1 h 30 to 2 h | 150,000 F | 19,000 F / person |
| Ngor → Îlot du Serpent | About 3 h | 200,000 F | 25,000 F / person |
| Ngor → Gorée → Îlot du Serpent | To be confirmed | 300,000 F | 38,000 F / person |
Our favourite for a first time remains the tour of Ngor Island. In about twenty minutes, you follow the island’s coves, rocks and surf spots, with Dakar in the background and colourful pirogues coming and going around you. It is the ideal boat ride to discover the feeling of the sea without devoting a whole day to it, and at 8,000 F per person on a shared departure, it is also the most affordable trip.
To go further, the route to the Pointe and Lighthouse of the Almadies takes you in about an hour to the westernmost point of mainland Africa, a rocky headland battered by the ocean where you feel the full power of the Atlantic. The Ngor, Almadies, Ouakam and Mamelles Lighthouse trip, lasting an hour and a half to two hours, is the most complete way to admire the west coast: headlands, the cliffs of Ouakam, the Mosque of the Divinity and the Mamelles hill follow one another before your eyes.
The longest trips head for Îlot du Serpent, off the corniche, in about three hours, or combine Gorée and Îlot du Serpent for a big sea excursion, with the duration confirmed by our team when you book. These routes are perfect for a half day of discovery in a small group, with friends or family. Whatever you choose, times, weather and availability are confirmed by our team before every trip, and booking takes just a few clicks on our website. Choose your route, shared or private, the number of passengers and the date: the form automatically calculates the price and deposit, then prepares a WhatsApp message for our team. Simple, fast and with no surprises. If you are unsure which route to pick, just tell us how much time you have and who is coming, and our team will suggest the best option for your group.
Routes of the large boat
| Trip | Duration | Private hire | Shared |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gorée | About 2 h | 150,000 F | 10,000 F / person |
| Gorée + Îlot du Serpent | About 3 h 30 | 225,000 F | 15,000 F / person |
| Half day Monaco and cruise (9am to 1:30pm) | 4 h 30 | 225,000 F | 15,000 F / person |
| Îlot Sarpan | On quote | On quote | On quote |
| Ouakam → Mamelles Lighthouse | About 5 h | 300,000 F | 20,000 F / person |
| Ouakam → Lighthouse → Pointe des Almadies | About 6 h | 350,000 F | 25,000 F / person |
The large boat is built for sea trips that take their time. There is no rushing from one point to the next: you sail gently, stop for a swim, share a food platter facing the ocean and enjoy the moment with your whole group. With its 15 seats, it is the ideal solution for a group boat rental in Dakar, whether for a party, a company outing or a family day.
The most requested route remains the Gorée trip, about two hours long, which lets you discover the island from the sea before following its shores. The Gorée and Îlot du Serpent version, about three and a half hours, adds a nature stop off the corniche. The half day at sea, from 9am to 1:30pm, is perfect for enjoying the cool of the morning and the soft light on the water before heading back for lunch. Finally, the five- and six-hour trips follow the Ouakam coast to the Mamelles Lighthouse, then on to the Pointe des Almadies, for a true day of cruising along the peninsula.
As for prices, private hire of the large boat ranges from 150,000 F for Gorée to 350,000 F for the big trip to the Almadies. On a shared departure, count on 10,000 F to 25,000 F per person depending on the route. Divided among the passengers, a private boat for 15 people often works out at a very reasonable price per head, with the added bonus of a trip just for your group. For Îlot Sarpan, the price is quoted according to the size of your group and your wishes. In every case, the 30% deposit by Orange Money or Wave confirms your booking. Remember to add a food platter on board for the longest trips: after a swim, everyone will be glad of it.
Gorée from the sea
Arriving at Gorée by private boat means experiencing the island in a different way. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978, Gorée is the most famous excursion from Dakar, and the ferry that serves it from the maritime station is often very busy, especially at weekends. On board our boats, you discover the island at your own pace, with no queues or crowds, approaching it from the sea as sailors once did.
From the water, the island reveals its full silhouette: the fort that dominates it, the ochre and pink house fronts, the bougainvillea, the little beach by the pier and, higher up, the Castel. Seen from the sea, you better understand the strategic position of this island facing the peninsula, and the role it played for centuries in the history of the Atlantic slave trade. It is an approach that is both beautiful and meaningful, and the ideal preparation for visiting the island’s places of remembrance.
With the large boat, the Gorée trip lasts about two hours, from 10,000 F per person on a shared departure or 150,000 F for private hire for a group of up to 15. The Gorée and Îlot du Serpent version adds a nature stop off the corniche, for a trip of about three and a half hours. For small groups, the 8-seat boat offers a Ngor, Gorée and Îlot du Serpent route, at 38,000 F per person or 300,000 F for private hire. A boat excursion to Gorée is probably one of the most beautiful ways to combine history, nature and the pleasure of sailing in a single outing, and a memory your guests will keep for a long time, whether it is their first visit to Senegal or their tenth. Just remember to wear comfortable shoes if you plan to go ashore and explore the island on foot.
Set sail for Îlot Sarpan
For a real day at sea, far from the bustle of the city, the large boat takes you all the way to Îlot Sarpan, off the coast of Dakar. It is our most exotic outing: you leave the port, leave the peninsula behind and head for a small corner of nature where you take time to swim, unwind and enjoy the ocean with your group. An ideal break from everyday life, without having to leave the Dakar region. Few outings feel this far away while staying so close to the city.
This excursion is particularly well suited to big occasions. With friends, it is the day you will still be talking about months later. With family, it brings all generations together around the same adventure. For a company, it offers an original team building setting, far from seminar rooms. And for a birthday or a hen party, it turns the celebration into an unforgettable memory. With its 15 seats, spacious deck and the option of adding food platters on board, the large boat is perfectly suited to this kind of trip.
The price of the trip to Îlot Sarpan is on quote, depending on the size of your group, the duration you want and your wishes on board. The easiest way is to message us on WhatsApp at +221 77 867 55 58, or use our booking form and choose the Îlot Sarpan option: our team will quickly come back to you with a tailored proposal. Remember to book several days ahead, especially at weekends, as it is one of our most requested trips for groups. Bring swimsuits, towels, sunscreen and good spirits: we take care of the rest. And do not forget to add one or more food platters to your booking, so that your day at sea is also a feast for everyone on board.
A group of 15? The large boat is made for you
Choose your route and we confirm the time with you on WhatsApp.
Book the large boatBirthday, hen party, team building
A trip out to sea is one of the most original ways to celebrate an important moment in Dakar. All our trips can be privately hired and personalised according to what you are celebrating, the size of your group and the atmosphere you are after. Here are the occasions for which our clients most often trust us:
- Birthday: a party at sea with a food platter, among friends and family.
- Hen and stag parties: the most original group outing in Dakar.
- Couples: a sunset for two off the peninsula.
- Team building: a team outing offshore, far from seminar rooms.
- Weddings and families: bring all your loved ones together on the large boat.
For a small group, the privately hired 8-seat boat offers an intimate atmosphere and quick access to the most beautiful sights. For a big party, the large boat and its 15 seats leave room for everyone, with a spacious deck to gather and swim during stops. Either way, you choose the date and time, and our team helps you organise a trip that reflects who you are.
To treat everyone, add a platter to your booking: Mix Découverte, with 26 sweet and savoury bites, for 15,000 F, or Mix Gourmand, with 50 bites, for 30,000 F. The selection adapts to your group size on simple request: more pieces, fewer pieces or a different mix, just tell us when you book. A private boat trip with a shared platter facing the ocean is the recipe for a successful celebration in Dakar. For even more memories, combine your trip with a drone photoshoot in a clear kayak the day before or after, and you will leave with images nobody else has. Tell us what you are celebrating when you book, and we will help you make it a day to remember.
Practical tips
To make sure your sea trip in Dakar goes smoothly, a few simple tips make all the difference. The first is about booking. Weekend shared departures, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 11am, 2pm and 5pm, fill up quickly, as do private charters for birthdays and hen parties. Ideally book 24 to 48 hours ahead, and several days before for a big trip or Îlot Sarpan. Your seat is confirmed once you pay a 30% deposit by Orange Money or Wave and our team validates the booking. We then confirm the exact time with you on WhatsApp.
- What to bring: swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses and a light layer for the way back.
- Safety: life jackets on board for all passengers.
- Weather: trips depend on sea conditions. If in doubt, call us on +221 77 867 55 58.
- Departure: the pier at the Port of Dakar, or another beach on request.
- Combine: a clear kayak trip in Ouakam or Ngor before or after your boat trip.
Think about comfort on board too. Even in good weather, the offshore breeze can cool the air on the way back, especially late in the day: a light layer always comes in handy. A waterproof pouch protects your phone from spray, and sunglasses with a strap stop them flying away. If you are prone to seasickness, have a light breakfast, sit towards the back and keep your eyes on the horizon. Finally, arrive at the pier a little before the scheduled time to board calmly, and feel free to ask us anything on WhatsApp: our team is here to make your boat trip perfect. All that is left is to choose your course and your date, and we will take care of the rest from the moment you step aboard. See you soon at the Port of Dakar for your next adventure at sea.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a boat trip in Dakar cost?
Shared departures start at 8,000 F per person for the tour of Ngor Island. Private hire starts at 60,000 F for the 8-seat boat and at 150,000 F for the large boat (Gorée).
Where do the boats leave from?
Both boats leave from the pier at the Port of Dakar. Departures from other beaches are possible on request. A 30% deposit (Orange Money or Wave) confirms your seat.
Can you hire a boat privately for a birthday?
Yes, every trip can be privately hired and personalised, with food platters as an option.