Surfing Secret Spot (Almadies): The Complete Guide

Secret Spot (Almadies) is a reef break located in Dakar, Senegal, offering both lefts and rights along the continent's diverse coastline. Secret Spot sits below the US Embassy on the Almadies Peninsula, Dakar's westernmost point. Rated as intermediate difficulty with moderately crowded conditions, this reef break is a worthy destination for surfers looking beyond the usual suspects.

Best Conditions

Swell Direction: The ideal swell direction is NW (315°), with workable conditions from WNW to NNW (285°–345°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Secret Spot (Almadies) needs a minimum of 1m / 3ft to start working and handles swells up to 2.5m / 8ft before conditions deteriorate.

Swell Period: Look for a swell period of at least 10 seconds, with 14 seconds being the sweet spot. Longer periods deliver more organized, powerful waves with better shape.

Wind: True offshore here blows from the E (90°). The full offshore range spans ENE to ESE (60°–120°). Glassy conditions under 4km/h from any direction also produce excellent surf. Plan for early morning dawn patrol sessions.

Tide: This spot works best at low to mid tide. Optimal tide range is 0.3m–1.5m.

When to Go

Primary Season: The prime window at Secret Spot (Almadies) runs October, November, December, January, February, March, April (Oct–Apr). This is when swell consistency and direction align most reliably with the break.

Secondary Season: A secondary window opens May, September (May–Sep). While not as consistent, patient surfers can still score quality sessions during this period.

Season Notes: Winter NW swells. Below US Embassy. Consistent.

Water Temperature: Expect water temperatures around 22°C / 72°F. A shorty or spring suit is recommended for longer sessions.

Getting There

The nearest airport is DSS, roughly 25 minutes by car.

Access: Below US Embassy. Sheltered, consistent. Local favorite.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

🪸 Sharp reef — Shallow reef, booties recommended

Below US Embassy. Sheltered, consistent. Local favorite.

Safety Tips:

Wear reef booties to protect your feet from sharp coral and rock

Skill Level: This spot is rated intermediate (5/10). Crowd Level: Typically moderately crowded (6/10).

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Secret Spot (Almadies)? Check the live forecast on Strike Mission to see today's conditions and the 10-day outlook. Our Strike Score algorithm rates this spot from 0 to 100 every day, factoring in swell direction, size, period, wind, and tide — so you know exactly when to paddle out.

Don't leave your next surf trip to chance. Let the data tell you when Secret Spot (Almadies) is firing.

*Conditions data sourced from Strike Mission's verified spot database.*