Just a few kilometres from the buildings of Dakar, a wild island rises from the middle of the Atlantic: Sarpan Island (Îlot Sarpan). Basalt cliffs, turquoise coves, seabirds and complete silence: it is one of the most surprising excursions you can take from the Senegalese capital, and yet many locals have never been.
How do you get there, what will you see, which rules should you follow and how do you organise a boat trip to Sarpan Island? In this guide, we describe this little island out of time, as we discover it on every outing with our clients.
At Senegal Nautique, we run sea outings from the Port of Dakar, with an 8-seat boat and a big 15-seat boat. Sarpan Island is one of the excursions most requested by groups of friends, families and companies who want a real day of escape without leaving Dakar.
What is Sarpan Island?
Sarpan Island is the largest island of a small uninhabited archipelago about four kilometres off Dakar: the Îles de la Madeleine. It is also known as Snake Island (Île aux Serpents), and these different names refer to the same place. Seen from the sky, the island looks like a large green plateau resting on the sea, lined with dark cliffs and surrounded by rocks where the surf breaks. In the background, you can see the whole coast of Dakar, from the Almadies to the city centre.
The island is volcanic. Its cliffs are made of basalt, a dark rock that often splits into large, regular columns, as if carved by hand. In places, the sea has hollowed out sheltered coves where the water turns an astonishing turquoise, in contrast with the deep blue of the open ocean. It is this mix of black rock, vegetation and clear water that makes Sarpan Island so photogenic, whether from the deck of a boat or from a drone.
The Îles de la Madeleine have been a national park since 1976. It is one of the smallest national parks in the world, and the site is on UNESCO’s tentative World Heritage list. For Dakar’s Lebou community, the island also has a strong spiritual dimension: it is associated with the city’s guardian spirits, and several legends are told about the origin of its name.
This status is what gives Sarpan Island its value: there are no hotels, no restaurants and no houses, only nature, wind and birds. A trip to Sarpan Island is therefore not a beach outing like any other, but the discovery of a protected area, a few minutes from one of the largest cities in West Africa. Few capitals in the world can offer such an unspoilt island less than an hour from their port.
A nature reserve to respect
If Sarpan Island is protected, it is first and foremost for its birds. The Îles de la Madeleine are home to seabird colonies that are rare on the Senegalese coast, including the red-billed tropicbird, a white bird with long tail feathers that you see gliding above the cliffs, as well as cormorants and terns. As you approach the island, it is not unusual to see them circle the boat, then land on the basalt ledges.
Around the island, the rocky seabed also attracts abundant marine life. On a calm day with good light, the water in the coves reveals the rocks, the seaweed and schools of small fish. It is one of the reasons why divers and fishing enthusiasts know the area well, and why we always recommend keeping your distance from sensitive zones.
Because this is a national park, access to the land is managed by the park authorities. Depending on the period, landing may require authorisation, be accompanied by a ranger or be temporarily suspended. So we say it clearly: the excursion is enjoyed above all from the sea, sailing around the island and approaching the most beautiful coves, and we tell you when you book what is possible under the rules in force.
A few simple rules let you enjoy the site without damaging it: throw nothing into the sea, do not feed the birds, avoid shouting and loud music near the cliffs, and take nothing away, neither shells nor stones. Our teams know these guidelines and make sure every outing respects the island, its inhabitants and its guardians. That is the condition for Sarpan Island to stay just as wild for the next generations of visitors.
The trip with Senegal Nautique
Our Sarpan Island excursion leaves from the Port of Dakar aboard our big boat, which takes up to 15 people. The boat is shaded, life jackets are provided for everyone and our team knows the route perfectly. The crossing runs along the coast of Dakar and is already a fine show: the city centre, the cliffs, then the open horizon of the Atlantic before you reach the archipelago.
Once there, the boat circles the island at a gentle pace so you can enjoy its different sides: the great basalt cliffs, the arches and caves carved by the sea, then the turquoise coves sheltered from the wind. Depending on the weather and the permissions of the moment, we take time to stop in a calm cove to admire the water, take photos and enjoy the silence, far from the noise of the city.
The Sarpan Island excursion is on quote, as it depends on the size of your group, the length you want and the options you choose. Expect half a day at sea in general. You can add a sweet and savoury platter of 26 or 50 pieces on board to turn the outing into a real picnic at sea, ideal for a birthday, a company outing or a group of friends on holiday. We can also adapt the programme for a marriage proposal, a hen party or a team outing: just tell us when you book.
To capture the day, ask for a drone photoshoot: images of Sarpan Island seen from the sky are spectacular, with the contrast between dark basalt, vegetation and the turquoise water of the coves. To book, use our booking page or message us on WhatsApp with the date, the number of people and what you would like: we reply quickly with a clear proposal.
Heading for Sarpan Island?
Big boat for up to 15 people from the Port of Dakar, life jackets provided, platter on board as an option. On quote.
Request a quoteWhen to go and what to bring
Sarpan Island can be visited all year round, but the experience depends a lot on the sea. A calm sea makes the crossing more pleasant and lets us approach the coves in the best conditions. That is why we always check the marine forecast before leaving, and we prefer to postpone an outing rather than set off in poor conditions. Safety always comes first, and a beautiful day at sea is well worth a day’s wait.
In the morning, the light is often soft and the sea calmer, which makes it an excellent time for a trip to the islands. At the end of the day, the golden light on the basalt cliffs is superb for photos, with Dakar lighting up on the horizon on the way back. We suggest the best time slot for the season and the day’s forecast when you book.
As for what to pack, bring comfortable clothes that do not mind sea spray, a swimsuit, a cap or hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, as the glare on the water is strong. Take a bottle of water, a light jacket for the return if the wind picks up, and a waterproof pouch to protect your phone. If you are prone to seasickness, eat lightly before leaving and preferably stay at the back of the boat.
Finally, bring binoculars if you have some: watching tropicbirds and cormorants on the island’s ledges is one of the highlights of the trip. And keep some battery for photos, as every side of the island offers a new setting. With children, the excursion is a real outdoor nature lesson, as long as they stay seated while sailing and keep their life jacket on from departure to return.
Combine it with Gorée and the coast
Sarpan Island lies off the southern coast of Dakar, in an area full of discoveries. With our big boat, you can plan a fuller day by combining the island with a stop at Gorée Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site, or a trip along the Ouakam cliffs to the Mamelles lighthouse. Tell us what you would like and we will build the itinerary with you.
If you have less time, our other sea outings offer a great overview of the peninsula. The tour of Ngor Island takes about twenty minutes, the trip to the Almadies point and lighthouse lasts about an hour, and the big tour to the Mamelles lighthouse takes one to two hours. Shared departures run on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 8,000 F per person. All the details are on our boat trips page.
And to experience the sea differently, combine your excursion with a clear kayak outing in Ouakam or Ngor, at 6,000 F per kayak. After seeing Sarpan Island from the boat, floating above the rocks in a transparent hull gives a whole new perspective on Dakar’s seabed, and it is an activity for the whole family, from age 6 with an adult.
Whether you are passing through Dakar for a few days, staying for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games or a Dakar local looking for a day of escape, Sarpan Island is proof that adventure begins a few kilometres from the port. A national park, seabirds, turquoise coves and the city on the horizon: it is hard to find anything more of a change of scene so close to home.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Sarpan Island?
Sarpan Island, also called Snake Island, is the largest island of the Îles de la Madeleine archipelago, about four kilometres off Dakar. It has been a national park since 1976.
How do I get to Sarpan Island?
Only by boat. Senegal Nautique runs the excursion from the Port of Dakar, aboard a big boat that takes up to 15 people, life jackets provided.
Can you land on Sarpan Island?
Access to the land is managed by the national park authorities and may require authorisation or be suspended depending on the period. The excursion is mainly enjoyed from the sea, around the island and its coves.
How much does the Sarpan Island excursion cost?
The excursion is on quote, depending on the size of the group, the length and the options, such as a platter on board or a drone photoshoot. Message us on WhatsApp to receive a proposal.