Surfing Cap Blanc: The Complete Guide

Cap Blanc is a point break located in Nouadhibou, Mauritania, offering a right-hander along the continent's diverse coastline. Cap Blanc is Mauritania's northernmost point, where the coastline juts into the Atlantic and catches NW swells. Rated as advanced difficulty with uncrowded conditions, this point 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 W to N (280°–350°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Cap Blanc 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 SE (60°–130°). 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 mid tide. Optimal tide range is 0.3m–1.5m.

When to Go

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

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

Season Notes: Winter NW swells. Mauritania's northernmost point. Quality when clean.

Water Temperature: Expect water temperatures around 19°C / 66°F. Bring a 3/2mm wetsuit — 4/3mm in winter months.

Getting There

The nearest airport is NDB, roughly 30 minutes by car.

Access: Mauritania's northernmost point. Quality when clean.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

🏝️ Remote — Far from help
🦈 Sharks — Known shark activity

Mauritania's northernmost point. Quality when clean.

Safety Tips:

Avoid surfing at dawn/dusk and near river mouths. Surf with a buddy
Carry a first aid kit and emergency communication. Help may be far away

Skill Level: This spot is rated advanced (6/10). Crowd Level: Typically uncrowded (1/10).

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Cap Blanc? 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 Cap Blanc is firing.

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