Clear kayaking in Dakar: the complete guide

You have probably seen them on Instagram or TikTok: perfectly see-through kayaks that seem to float in mid-air above turquoise water, where every rock is visible. It is neither a montage nor a filter. In Dakar, you can try it for real in Ouakam and Ngor, a few minutes from the city centre, and at Lac Rose on request.

Clear kayaking in Dakar has won over travellers, couples, families and content creators in just a few years. The Senegalese capital is a perfect setting: volcanic cliffs, rocky seabeds, clear water in good weather and iconic backdrops such as the Mosque of the Divinity or Ngor Island. As a result, the transparent kayak tour has become one of the most sought-after water activities in the country, as much for the experience on the water as for the photos you bring home.

At Senegal Nautique, our clear kayaks glide along the Dakar coast every day. In this guide we have gathered everything you need to know before you go: how these unusual sea kayaks work, our prices, the best clear kayak spots in Senegal, how a session unfolds, our tips for great photos, safety rules and answers to the questions we hear most. Whether you are planning a holiday, a birthday, a proposal or simply a different kind of afternoon, you will know exactly what to expect, how much to budget and when to come for the most beautiful light. And if you are torn between Ouakam and Ngor, the section on spots will help you choose the base that best suits your plans, your group and the kind of memories you want to take home. Ready to see the ocean in a whole new way? Here is everything you need to plan the perfect transparent kayak trip in Dakar, step by step, from choosing your spot to picking your outfit for the photos.

What is a clear kayak?

A clear kayak, sometimes called a transparent kayak or glass-bottom kayak, looks like a classic sea kayak with one difference: its hull is made of rigid, fully transparent polycarbonate. Sitting inside, you see straight down, as if through a window laid on the ocean. Rocks, sand, seaweed, small fish, shimmering sunlight: the whole underwater landscape passes beneath your feet as you paddle. It is this feeling of floating above the void that makes the experience so memorable, even for people who have kayaked before.

Contrary to what you might think, these boats are very stable. Their wide shape and flat bottom make them easy to handle, even for complete beginners. They come as singles or doubles: a double kayak takes two people, ideal for a couple, two friends or a parent with a child. No experience is needed, and our team shows you in a few minutes how to hold the paddle, move forward, turn and come back to the beach. If you would rather be accompanied, an instructor can guide you throughout the trip at no extra cost.

The clear kayak is also one of the most photogenic settings in Dakar. From above, the hull becomes almost invisible and the kayak seems suspended over the sea, its passengers resting on the water as if by magic. Hence the success of our drone photoshoots, which capture these spectacular aerial images. But even without a drone, the trip is a wonderful way to discover the Dakar coast differently, close to the water and in silence, far from the noise of the city. Many of our clients tell us it was the most peaceful moment of their stay in Senegal. A moment out of time, worth experiencing at least once, whether you are a seasoned paddler or have never held a paddle before.

How much does it cost? All our prices

Good news for your budget: the price of a clear kayak in Dakar is as transparent as the kayak itself. At Senegal Nautique, a trip costs 6,000 F per kayak, whether or not you take an instructor. The price is per boat, not per person: a couple in a double kayak pays 6,000 F for their ride, or 3,000 F each. Two friends who each prefer a single kayak pay 12,000 F in total. The life jacket and paddle are included, as is our team’s advice before you set off.

To go further, the exploration from Ouakam to the Mamelles takes you for about two hours along the cliffs to the foot of the lighthouse hill, for 20,000 F per person. It is the ideal trip for the more active and for anyone who wants to see Dakar’s wild coast from the water. Paddleboards rent for 5,000 F per 30 minutes and pair well with a first kayak outing. At Lac Rose, kayaking, drone photoshoots and water ball sessions are arranged on request, with a price set according to your group.

If you want to add a drone photoshoot, count on 35,000 F for one person, 25,000 F per person for two and 20,000 F per person from three, with kayaks always paid on top. In practice, a couple booking a photoshoot in a double kayak pays 50,000 F for the shoot and 6,000 F for the kayak, so 56,000 F in total for an unforgettable souvenir. Payment is made on site, and booking is only required for drone photoshoots and groups of six or more. For a standard ride, just turn up. You can also use our online booking form to see the exact price of your trip based on the number of people and options chosen. No hidden fees, no surprises.

The best spots in Dakar

Ouakam, below the Mosque of the Divinity

Our signature base is on the beach of the Mosque of the Divinity in Ouakam, near the La Petite Côte restaurant. If you only do one clear kayak trip in Dakar, it should probably be here. The setting is simply spectacular: on one side, the mosque with its white and green minarets at the water’s edge; on the other, the dark cliffs of Ouakam dropping into the Atlantic. Beneath the hull, volcanic rocks form striking shapes and attract plenty of small fish.

This spot is also the starting point of the exploration to the Mamelles. For about two hours you follow the coastline along the cliffs, past coves and rocks you never see from the road, to the foot of the hill topped by the Mamelles Lighthouse. It is a real little expedition, suitable for people in good physical shape, and it gives a unique sense of Dakar’s wild coast. For a shorter ride, you can simply enjoy the bay in front of the mosque at your own pace.

Practically speaking, the Ouakam base is open every day from 11am to 7pm, with no booking needed for a standard trip. You can leave your belongings with the team and use the facilities of La Petite Côte when you order there, to change or freshen up after your ride. It is also our pilots’ favourite spot for drone photoshoots: the mosque, the cliffs and the clear water make some of the most beautiful aerial images in Senegal. Come in the late afternoon to enjoy the golden light sweeping across the cliffs. And listen out for the call to prayer: hearing it echo across the water at the foot of the cliffs is a moment our clients never forget. For many of them, Ouakam remains the highlight of their whole trip to Dakar.

Ngor, facing the island

In the north of the peninsula, our second base is on Ngor beach, next to La Cabane du Pêcheur on Baye Ngoné square. The atmosphere here is different from Ouakam: more relaxed, more family-friendly, punctuated by the pirogues shuttling between the beach and the island. You paddle with Ngor Island as your backdrop, its colourful houses, rocks and surf breaks that made it famous worldwide. A postcard setting, just minutes from the Almadies.

Ngor bay is often more sheltered than the west coast, which makes it an excellent choice for a first clear kayak trip, for families with children or for anyone who simply wants to drift gently on the water. Sandy and rocky patches alternate beneath the hull, and the water is often beautifully clear on calm days. It is also an ideal spot for a drone photoshoot as a couple or with friends, with the island and the pirogues adding colour to the aerial images.

As in Ouakam, the Ngor base is open every day from 11am to 7pm, with no booking needed for a standard ride, at 6,000 F per kayak. After your trip, enjoy the beach, a fresh juice or grilled fish at one of the nearby restaurants, or take a pirogue to spend a few hours on the island. And if you want to make the adventure last, our 8-seat boat also offers a tour of Ngor Island in about twenty minutes. Kayak, island and boat: enough to fill a whole day without ever leaving Ngor. In the evening, watching the sun set over the island from the beach is the perfect ending, and a lovely chance for a last photo before heading back into the city. Ngor is also easy to reach from the Almadies hotels, which makes it a convenient choice for visitors staying in the north of Dakar.

Lac Rose, on request

For a setting that is truly one of a kind, we organise clear kayak trips on Lac Rose, the Pink Lake, on request. About forty kilometres north-east of Dakar, Lake Retba owes its pink colour to a very high salt concentration and a micro-alga that produces a red pigment. Gliding in a clear kayak over pink water, surrounded by dunes and salt harvesters, is as surprising as it is memorable, and the images from the sky are simply breathtaking.

The lake’s colour varies with the season, the sunshine and the time of day. It is often most intense in the dry season and when the sun is high. That is why we set the date and time of each trip with you, according to conditions and your wishes. Depending on your request, the programme can include a clear kayak ride, a drone photoshoot and the water ball, a playful and refreshing activity that groups of friends and families love. The water ball costs 5,000 F, and other services are quoted on request.

A Lac Rose outing takes a little more planning than a ride in Ouakam or Ngor, since you need to travel from Dakar. Allow about an hour’s drive depending on traffic, and preferably leave early to avoid the heat and congestion. To arrange your kayak trip at Lac Rose, contact our team on WhatsApp at +221 77 867 55 58 or use our booking form and choose the Lac Rose base: we will get back to you quickly to confirm the date, time and price. Bring fresh water to rinse off: the lake is so salty that it leaves a fine layer of salt on skin and clothes. A hat and sunglasses are essential too, as there is very little shade around the lake, and the reflection of the sun on the pink water can be dazzling at midday.

No need to book

Just turn up in Ouakam or Ngor, every day from 11am to 7pm. For groups of 6 or more, book 24 to 48 hours ahead.

Book a kayak

What to expect

A clear kayak trip in Dakar is deliberately simple, so you can enjoy the water without worrying about logistics. No complicated forms and no compulsory booking for a standard ride: just show up at one of our bases, in Ouakam or Ngor, during opening hours. Here is how a session goes, from the moment you arrive on the beach until you come back.

1. You arrive at the base between 11am and 7pm, no booking needed.
2. The team kits you out: compulsory life jacket, paddle and safety briefing.
3. You choose a single or double kayak, with or without an instructor (same price).
4. You glide over the seabed at your own pace.

Before you set off, our team takes a few minutes to show you how to get into the kayak, hold the paddle, move in a straight line and turn. They also point out the day’s paddling area, chosen according to sea conditions, and any spots to avoid. If you are a beginner, coming with children or not very comfortable in the water, choose the instructor option: they paddle alongside you, guide you to the most beautiful spots and can even help you take a few photos. It costs the same, so you might as well take advantage of it.

Your belongings stay safe with the team or with our partners, depending on the base. In Ouakam, you can use the facilities of La Petite Côte when you order there, which is handy for changing before and after your ride. On the water, you are free to move at your own pace, stop to look at the seabed or simply float and enjoy the scenery. When you return, the team helps you out of the kayak and collects the gear. Bring a towel and a change of clothes: even on a calm sea, you rarely step out of a kayak completely dry. Then all that is left is to share your photos and plan your next trip.

Our tips for a great trip

After thousands of clear kayak trips along the Dakar coast, we have learned a few tricks that make the difference between a pleasant ride and a truly unforgettable moment. The first is about timing. Conditions are usually best between late morning and sunset, and late afternoon light is especially beautiful for photos and videos, with golden reflections on the water and the cliffs.

• Check the sea: water clarity and colour depend on currents, wind and weather. Call us on the day on +221 77 867 55 58.
• Dress for the photo: white, turquoise or brightly coloured outfits stand out beautifully on the water.
• Protect yourself from the sun: sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.
• Take the instructor if you are a beginner or with children: it is the same price.

Think about your phone too. On the water, a waterproof pouch with a lanyard lets you film and take photos without risking losing it to the deep. Selfies taken from slightly above, over the hull, show off the kayak’s transparency nicely. For photos from the sky, the drone photoshoot is unbeatable: our pilot shows you the poses that work best and delivers the images after the session. As for clothing, choose light, quick-drying fabrics and avoid colours too close to the blue of the water if you want to stand out in the pictures. Finally, drink before you go and bring a small bottle of water: the sun and the glare off the ocean dehydrate you faster than you think. Above all, take your time: the best clear kayak trip is often the one where you simply stop and look beneath the hull, without trying to go far. Slow down, breathe and let the ocean do the rest. Some of the most beautiful sights, like a school of fish darting under the hull, happen when you are simply sitting still.

Safety and children

Safety comes first, and it is also what allows everyone to enjoy their clear kayak trip in Dakar with peace of mind. The first rule is non-negotiable: life jackets are provided and compulsory for all participants, whatever their age or level. Thanks to them, you do not need to know how to swim to go clear kayaking with us. The kayaks are also very stable, and capsizing is rare, especially in the paddling areas we choose each day according to sea conditions.

Children are welcome from age 6, accompanied by an adult. The double kayak is ideal for a parent-child outing: the adult paddles and steers, while the child enjoys the show beneath the hull. For the youngest and for beginners, we strongly recommend the instructor option, at the same price. The instructor stays with you on the water, guides you, keeps an eye on the group and can step in quickly if needed. It is the guarantee of a relaxed trip, even for those discovering sea kayaking for the very first time.

Finally, we stay attentive to natural conditions. The sea is a living environment: wind, swell and currents can change during the day. If conditions do not allow a comfortable and safe trip, our team will always prefer to postpone it or offer you another slot. That is also why we advise calling us on the day before you travel. Follow the instructions given before departure, stay within the indicated area and tell the team about any concern: these simple habits make every ride a pleasure for everyone. Our team is there to answer all your questions before, during and after your trip, so never hesitate to ask, whether it is about the weather, the gear or the best spot for photos. Your peace of mind is part of the experience.

Frequently asked questions