Want to go kayaking in Dakar? Good news: Senegal’s capital is one of the best places in West Africa to paddle. Volcanic cliffs, turquoise water, Ngor Island a few strokes away and rocky seabeds visible from the surface: by kayak, Dakar reveals itself as you never see it from the road.
In this guide, we explain where to kayak in Dakar, which type of kayak to choose, how much an outing costs, how it works and our tips to make the most of it. At Senegal Nautique, we welcome beginners, families, couples and groups of friends every day at our Ouakam and Ngor bases: here is everything we have learned on the water.
Whether you want a quiet one-hour paddle, a real adventure along the cliffs or an unforgettable photoshoot, there is a kayak outing in Dakar for you, just a few minutes from the city centre.
Why kayak in Dakar?
Dakar sits on the Cap-Vert peninsula, the westernmost point of the African continent. The city is surrounded by ocean on three sides, which gives it a very varied coastline: basalt cliffs at Ouakam and the Mamelles, sheltered beaches at Ngor and the Almadies, small coves, islands and rocky points. For a kayaker, it is a rare playground, all the more so because it lies right in the city. You go from a lively neighbourhood to a wild cove in a few minutes.
Kayaking in Dakar has another advantage: it requires no experience. The kayaks we use are stable, easy to handle and designed for beginners. In ten minutes, you know how to move forward, turn and stop. The rest of the time, you enjoy the scenery: the sun on the cliffs, the colourful fishing pirogues, Ngor Island opposite, and under the hull, the rocks, seagrass and passing fish.
The climate is on your side too. In Dakar, it is mild to hot all year round, the sea stays pleasant most of the time and our bases are open every day from 11am to 7pm. Whether you are visiting for a weekend, on a family holiday or have lived in Dakar for years, a kayak outing is easy to improvise, without a big budget or long planning.
Finally, kayaking is a gentle and respectful way to discover the sea. No engine, no noise, no fuel: just the lapping of the water and the paddle. It is the ideal activity to slow down, reconnect with nature and see Dakar differently, far from traffic jams and bustle. Many of our clients tell us it was the most peaceful moment of their stay. And for those who love beautiful pictures, it is also one of the most photogenic activities in the city, especially in a clear kayak. In short, if you are wondering what to do in Dakar by the water, kayaking ticks almost every box: accessible, affordable, beautiful and close by.
Where to kayak in Dakar: Ouakam, Ngor, Lac Rose
Senegal Nautique offers kayaking at two main bases, each with its own atmosphere, and at Lac Rose on request. Here is how to choose.
Ouakam, Mosquée de la Divinité beach. This is our most spectacular base. The kayak goes into the water on the small beach below the Mosque of the Divinity, with its two white minarets facing the ocean, then you follow the volcanic cliffs of Ouakam. The water is often turquoise over the rocks, and the seabed is very visible in good weather. The exploration towards the Mamelles also starts from Ouakam. On site, you can change and settle at La Petite Côte restaurant, if you order something. Kayaking in Ouakam is perfect for lovers of scenery and photos.
Ngor, Ngor beach. Our Ngor base is on the beach, next to La Cabane du Pêcheur restaurant. The bay is more sheltered, the water often calmer, and Ngor Island rises right opposite. It is the ideal place for a first outing, for children and for families. You paddle among the fishing pirogues, along the beach and towards the island, in a relaxed atmosphere. Kayaking in Ngor is also the departure point of our boat trips, so you can combine both activities on the same day.
Lac Rose, on request. About an hour from Dakar, Lake Retba is famous for its pink colour, caused by a micro-alga and its very high salinity. Paddling on pink water is a unique experience in the world. We organise kayak outings there on request, as well as the water ball, to walk on the water inside an inflatable bubble. The colour depends on the sun and the season: it is often more intense at midday and in the dry season.
To help you choose: Ouakam for the setting and the cliffs, Ngor for calm water and children, Lac Rose for something different. All the addresses and contacts of our bases are on the clear kayak page.
Clear kayak, sea kayak or paddle: which one to choose?
When people talk about kayaking in Dakar, they can mean three quite different experiences. Here are their strengths to help you make the right choice.
The clear kayak is our speciality. Its hull is completely transparent: you watch the seabed glide beneath you, as if you were floating above the water. Rocks, seagrass, small fish, starfish: everything you miss from a classic kayak becomes visible. It is the most surprising and photogenic experience, and the one our clients love most, from 6-year-olds to grandparents. Our clear kayaks come in single and double versions, so two people can share the same boat. To learn more, read our complete guide to clear kayaking in Dakar.
Classic sea kayaking, with an opaque hull, is also practised in Dakar. On Ngor Island, the Maison d’Italie (Chez Carla) rents kayaks and pedal boats to go around the island, and the Anse Bernard canoe-kayak club, in the Plateau district, introduces newcomers to the sport. Classic kayaking is perfect for those who mainly want to paddle and cover distance. Our Ouakam to Mamelles exploration is close to this approach, more athletic, with a real route along the coast.
Paddleboarding, or stand up paddle, means standing on a large board and moving forward with a paddle. It is an excellent balance and core workout, and a different way to see the sea, from higher up. We offer paddleboarding at Ouakam and Ngor, 5,000 F for 30 minutes, depending on sea conditions. Beginners can start on their knees, then stand up when they feel comfortable.
Our advice: for a first time, choose the clear kayak, which offers the best experience for the least effort. If you come back, try the paddle or the exploration. And if you are a group, nothing stops you from mixing: some in clear kayaks, others on paddleboards, everyone on the same outing. Sporty profiles will enjoy combining kayak and paddle in the same morning, while families often prefer a double kayak, one adult and one child together, to share the moment without worrying about technique.
The Ouakam to Mamelles kayak exploration
For those who want more than a simple paddle, we offer the Ouakam to Mamelles exploration. It is an adventure outing of about two hours, led by our team, along the coast between the Mosquée de la Divinité beach and the Mamelles beach, behind the hills of the same name. It is our longest and wildest route, and for many clients, the best memory of their stay in Dakar.
The route follows the great basalt cliffs of Ouakam, sculpted by the ocean. You pass at the foot of walls several dozen metres high, in front of caves, arches and small coves that cannot be reached on foot. Seabirds nest in the rocks, the waves echo in the hollows and, on clear days, the water takes on striking shades of blue and green. Above, you can see the Mamelles lighthouse, one of the oldest in West Africa, and the African Renaissance Monument. It is another side of Dakar, mineral and spectacular.
The exploration costs 20,000 F per person, for about two hours on the water, with a guide from our team. It starts from our Ouakam base. It takes a little more energy than a classic paddle, but remains accessible to fit adults, even beginners: the pace adapts to the group, with breaks to observe, rest and take photos. The life jacket is provided and worn throughout the outing.
As always at sea, the outing depends on the day’s conditions. The guide checks the swell and wind before departure, and may adapt the route or offer another slot if the sea is too rough. We recommend booking in advance, especially at weekends, and bringing water, sunscreen and a hat. It is the kind of outing you come back from tired, salty and very happy.
Kayak prices and rental in Dakar
Good news for your budget: kayaking in Dakar remains one of the most affordable water activities. At Senegal Nautique, prices are simple and displayed, with no hidden fees.
The clear kayak costs 6,000 F per kayak, single or double, with or without an instructor. A double kayak is shared by two, which comes to 3,000 F per person. The life jacket is always provided. Paddleboarding costs 5,000 F for 30 minutes, and the Ouakam to Mamelles exploration 20,000 F per person for about two hours. At Lac Rose, the water ball costs 5,000 F for 5 minutes.
These prices include the equipment, the life jacket and a welcome from our team, with a briefing before each departure. The price is the same in Ouakam and Ngor, and it does not change with the season or the day of the week. For a drone photoshoot, the kayak rental is simply added to the price of the photo session.
Do you need to book? For a simple kayak outing, you can come directly during opening hours, from 11am to 7pm. Booking is essential, however, for groups of 6 or more, drone photoshoots and the exploration, ideally 24 to 48 hours in advance. Booking takes a few clicks on our booking page, and your request reaches our WhatsApp directly. No online payment: you pay on site.
Your kayak outing in Dakar
6,000 F per clear kayak, life jacket provided, from age 6. In Ouakam and Ngor, every day from 11am to 7pm.
Book a kayakFor a special occasion, birthday, hen party, marriage proposal or company outing, we can privatise a session depending on availability. Contact us on WhatsApp at +221 77 867 55 58 to talk about it. And if you want to combine several activities in one day, kayak in the morning and boat in the afternoon for example, our guide to water tourism in Dakar gives you programme and budget ideas. For a group of four friends, for example, count 12,000 F for two double kayaks: it is hard to find such a memorable outing at that price in Dakar.
How a kayak outing works, and safety
A kayak outing with Senegal Nautique is simple and reassuring, even if you have never been in a kayak. Here is how it works, step by step.
When you arrive at the base, the team welcomes you, helps you leave your belongings safely and fits you with a life jacket, compulsory for everyone. Then comes a short briefing: how to hold the paddle, move forward, turn, brake, get in and out of the kayak, and which areas to avoid. Then the kayak goes into the water from the beach, and off you go. With an instructor, you are guided to the most beautiful parts of the spot, shown what there is to see underwater and helped with photos. Without an instructor, you stay in the area indicated by the team, who keep an eye on you from the beach.
Do you need to know how to swim? No. The life jacket keeps you afloat and our kayaks are very stable. Of course, if you are comfortable in the water, you will enjoy the experience even more. Children can take part from age 6, accompanied by an adult, ideally in a double kayak. The instructor is recommended for beginners and compulsory for young children.
Safety starts before you even get in the kayak. Every day, our team watches the swell, the wind and the currents. If the sea is too rough, we prefer to postpone the outing or suggest another spot rather than take a risk. Feel free to call the base on the day to check conditions. And on the water, a few simple rules: stay together, keep your distance from the rocks when there is swell and follow the instructor’s advice. It is thanks to this care that thousands of clients have discovered Dakar’s sea with peace of mind, from toddlers with their parents to groups of colleagues on team outings.
Our tips for a perfect outing
Choose the right time. The best conditions are generally between late morning and sunset, depending on the weather. In late morning and early afternoon, the sun is high and brings out the clarity of the water: it is the best time to see the seabed. At the end of the day, the golden light is beautiful for photos. At weekends, the bases are busier: come early or book if you are a large group. The clarity of the water varies with currents, wind and weather, and we can never guarantee it: call the base before coming to check sea conditions.
What to wear? A swimsuit or light clothes that can get wet, sunglasses with a strap, a cap or hat and water-resistant sunscreen. Avoid valuables and bring a waterproof pouch for your phone. A towel and a change of clothes are useful for afterwards. In Ouakam, you can change at La Petite Côte; in Ngor, you can also change on site.
Think about photos. The clear kayak is one of the most photogenic activities in Dakar, and the best souvenir remains a picture taken from the sky. With our drone photoshoot, a pilot takes aerial photos and videos of you on the water, delivered the same day: 35,000 F solo, 25,000 F per person for two and 20,000 F per person from three, kayaks on top. For outfits, bright colours (red, yellow, pink, white) stand out particularly well against the turquoise.
Make a day of it. After kayaking, enjoy the spot: lunch facing the sea in Ouakam or Ngor, a pirogue crossing to Ngor Island, or a boat trip from Ngor. For more ideas, read our guide what to do in Dakar and our article on water activities to do in Dakar. And if you are travelling with children, our guide to family activities in Dakar will give you more ideas to keep the whole tribe busy.
Frequently asked questions
Where can you kayak in Dakar?
Senegal Nautique offers kayaking in Ouakam, on the Mosquée de la Divinité beach, and in Ngor, on the beach next to La Cabane du Pêcheur. Outings at Lac Rose are possible on request.
How much does a kayak outing cost in Dakar?
The clear kayak costs 6,000 F per kayak, single or double, with or without an instructor. Paddleboarding costs 5,000 F for 30 minutes and the Ouakam to Mamelles exploration 20,000 F per person.
Do you need to book to go kayaking?
Not for a simple outing: you can come directly, every day from 11am to 7pm. Booking is needed for groups of 6 or more, drone photoshoots and the exploration.
Is kayaking suitable for beginners?
Yes. Our kayaks are stable and easy to handle, and a briefing is given before each departure. No experience is needed, and an instructor can go with you.
Can you kayak with children in Dakar?
Yes, from age 6 accompanied by an adult, preferably in a double kayak. The life jacket is provided and the instructor is compulsory for young children. The more sheltered Ngor base is ideal for families.
How long is the Ouakam to Mamelles exploration?
About two hours, led by a guide from our team, along the cliffs between Ouakam and the Mamelles beach. It costs 20,000 F per person and is booked in advance.
Can two people share a kayak?
Yes, our clear kayaks come in single and double versions. A double kayak costs 6,000 F and is shared by two, perfect for a couple or a parent with a child.