Expert-verified surf spot database with detailed swell/wind parameters, hazards, and travel information
N'Gor Right is West Africa's premier surf destination—a quality right-hand point break in Dakar, Senegal that catches the same North Atlantic swells as Morocco but with warmer water and far fewer crowds. The wave wraps around the headland near N'Gor Island, offering long, peeling rides with occasional barrel sections. Senegal's surf scene is still developing, meaning you can score world-class conditions with only a handful of locals in the water. Africa's overlooked gem.
🌍 West Africa's best • Warm & uncrowded • North Atlantic swells
Works best with swells from 315° (NW). Workable range: 280°-350°.
Ideal size: 2.3m. Too small below 1m, too big (closeout) above 3.5m.
Needs at least 12s period. Ideal: 16s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 90° (E). Offshore range: 45°-135°. Best window: morning.
North Atlantic winter swells. Warm water alternative to Morocco.
Swell direction must be within the workable range AND within the spot's coastal orientation. A south-facing beach cannot receive north swells, no matter the size or period.
Offshore wind (blowing from land toward ocean) grooms the wave face. Onshore wind (blowing from ocean toward land) destroys wave quality. Wind tolerance varies by wave type.
Can also take pirogue (local boat) from N'Gor Island.
Ouakam is the flagship wave of Senegal's growing surf scene—a quality right-hand reef break on the volcanic Cap-Vert peninsula just outside the capital Dakar. When North Atlantic winter swells sweep down the African coast, this reef comes alive with long, workable walls and occasional barrel sections. N'Gor Right, accessible by pirogue (traditional fishing boat), offers additional world-class options nearby. Senegal represents surf exploration at its most genuine, with a welcoming local community and the sense of discovering something special. This is West African surfing's emerging frontier.
🇸🇳 Senegal's showcase • West Africa awakening • Quality reef right
Works best with swells from 310° (NW). Workable range: 280°-340°.
Ideal size: 1.9m. Too small below 0.8m, too big (closeout) above 3m.
Needs at least 10s period. Ideal: 14s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 90° (E). Offshore range: 50°-130°. Best window: morning.
North Atlantic winter swells. October-April.
Sharp volcanic reef. Respect local crew.
Just outside Dakar city. N'Gor Island nearby for more waves.
N'Gor Right is West Africa's legendary wave—a consistent right-hand reef break on a small island just offshore from Dakar that Bruce Brown famously introduced to the world in The Endless Summer. More than fifty years later, N'Gor still delivers the same magic: crystal-clear water, 100-200 meter rides, and a vibe that combines African warmth with genuine surf adventure. A short pirogue ride deposits you on the island, where time moves at its own pace and the wave peels with remarkable consistency through the northern hemisphere winter. This is where surf exploration meets surf history.
🎬 Endless Summer fame • West Africa icon • Pirogue adventure
Ideal size: 1.6m. Too small below 0.6m, too big (closeout) above 2.5m.
Needs at least 9s period. Ideal: 14s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 135° (SE). Offshore range: 90°-180°. Best window: morning.
Volcanic reef. Wear booties. Some shark activity.
15 minutes drive from DSS airport. Requires boat access ($5/day).
Endless Summer film, West Africa surf community
15min from Dakar airport. Short pirogue ride to island.
Vivier Right is the partner wave to Vivier Left, breaking on the opposite side of the same reef. The right is faster and more hollow, working best at lower tides when the reef becomes shallower. It's a beautiful setup—you can surf the right in the morning when it's best, then switch to the left as the tide fills in.
➡️ Fast hollow right • Partner to Vivier Left • Tide-dependent
Works best with swells from 315° (NW). Workable range: 285°-345°.
Ideal size: 1.8m. Too small below 1m, too big (closeout) above 2.5m.
Offshore wind from 90° (E). Offshore range: 60°-120°. Best window: morning.
Winter NW swells. Partner to Vivier Left.
Beautiful shallow reef right. Short but quality when on.
Partner to Vivier Left. Faster, friendlier on lower tide.
Vivier Left is a quality reef break that works on higher tides when its partner Vivier Right becomes too shallow. The wave offers long, walling lefts with occasional barrel sections on the inside. It's one of the more consistent waves in the Dakar area and attracts a loyal local crew.
⬅️ Quality left walls • Higher tide option • Dakar staple
Winter NW swells. Partner to Vivier Right.
Partner to Vivier Right. High quality on higher tide.
Secret Spot sits below the US Embassy on the Almadies Peninsula, Dakar's westernmost point. The wave is a consistent A-frame that offers both a right and a left option depending on the sandbank configuration. It's somewhat sheltered from the wind, making it a good option when other spots are blown out. The name is ironic—it's one of the most surfed spots in Dakar.
🤫 Not-so-secret • Below US Embassy • Consistent A-frame
Winter NW swells. Below US Embassy. Consistent.
Below US Embassy. Sheltered, consistent. Local favorite.
Club Med breaks in front of the old Club Med resort on Ngor Island, producing heavy, hollow rights over a shallow reef. When pure N-NW swells arrive, the wave can barrel for 50 meters or more, drawing comparisons to more famous reef passes. The local crew is tight and the wave is unforgiving—know your limits before paddling out.
🏨 Heavy hollow rights • Old resort landmark • Respect the locals
Works best with swells from 350° (N). Workable range: 315°-20°.
Ideal size: 2.1m. Too small below 1.2m, too big (closeout) above 3m.
Offshore wind from 90° (E). Offshore range: 60°-130°. Best window: morning.
Winter NW swells. Heavy barrels in front of old Club Med.
Heavy barrels in front of old Club Med. Heavy locals.
N'Gor Left is the powerful counterpart to the famous N'Gor Right, breaking on the opposite side of Ngor Island. The left is less consistent than the right, requiring more north in the swell to really turn on, but when it does, it produces hollow, powerful barrels. It's often less crowded than the right, making it a good option for those willing to wait for the right conditions.
⬅️ N'Gor's other side • Less crowded • Powerful when on
Works best with swells from 330° (NNW). Workable range: 300°-360°.
Ideal size: 2.0m. Too small below 1m, too big (closeout) above 3m.
Winter NW swells. Powerful left less consistent than Right.
Powerful left less consistent than Right but quality when on.
Yoff Beach is a friendly beach break in northern Dakar, popular with beginners and longboarders. The wave is a typical sand-bottom peak that works on a variety of conditions and tides. It's one of the most accessible spots in the area, with easy parking and multiple peaks to spread out the crowd.
🏖️ Beginner-friendly • Multiple peaks • Easy access
Works best with swells from 315° (NW). Workable range: 300°-350°.
Ideal size: 1.4m. Too small below 0.8m, too big (closeout) above 2m.
Needs at least 8s period. Ideal: 12s+ (long-period groundswell).
Winter NW swells. North Dakar beach break.
North Dakar. Beach break for all levels.
Virage is a fun, punchy beach break in northern Dakar known for its long, workable rights. The name means "turn" in French, and the wave delivers—plenty of opportunities for progressive surfing on the fast, hollow walls. A local favorite for its consistency and user-friendly nature.
🔄 Long workable rights • Punchy walls • Local favorite
Winter NW swells. Fun spunky beach break with long rights.
Fun spunky beach break with long rights.
Cap Skirring is a beach resort area in southern Senegal's Casamance region, offering powerful beach break peaks along a beautiful stretch of coast. The area picks up SW swells during the wet season (April-October), offering a different swell window than the Dakar region. The vibe is relaxed, the water warm, and the waves often uncrowded.
🌴 Casamance beach resort • SW swell window • Uncrowded power
Works best with swells from 270° (W). Workable range: 230°-300°.
Offshore wind from 45° (NE). Offshore range: 20°-90°. Best window: morning.
SW swell season. Southern Senegal beach resort.
Southern Senegal. Beach resort area. Powerful fun beach break.
Yenne is a powerful beach break on the Petite Cote south of Dakar, offering fun, punchy waves for all levels. The beach picks up a mix of NW winter swells and W swells year-round, making it one of the more consistent options in the region. The fishing village atmosphere adds character to the surf experience.
🎣 Petite Cote power • Fishing village vibes • Year-round waves
Works best with swells from 280° (W). Workable range: 240°-300°.
Winter swells. Powerful fun beach break south of Dakar.
Powerful fun beach break south of Dakar.