Nouadhibou
Nouadhibou is Mauritania's second-largest city, a port town on a peninsula that catches Atlantic swells. The coastline offers various peaks and points that remain almost completely unexplored by surfers. The famous ship graveyard and remote location make this one of the world's most unusual surf destinations.
Nouadhibou surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NW (315°)
- Direction range
- 280° - 350°
- Size range
- 1m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.7m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Offshore range
- 60° - 130°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.3m - 2m
Water temp
19°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
1/10
Access: Main coastal city. Various breaks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Nouadhibou?
Nouadhibou is a beach break in Nouadhibou, Mauritania, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Nouadhibou?
Nouadhibou picks up swell from the W round to the N, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the NW. It starts working at around 1m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.7 to 2.1m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 10s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Nouadhibou?
An E wind is dead offshore at Nouadhibou, and anything from the ENE round to the SE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 11am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Nouadhibou?
Nouadhibou is at its best around mid tide, roughly 0.3m to 2m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Nouadhibou?
The most reliable run of swell at Nouadhibou comes Oct to Mar. There's a second window in Apr and Sep too. Winter NW swells. Main coastal city. Various breaks.
How cold is the water at Nouadhibou?
The water at Nouadhibou averages around 19°C, so you'll want a 3/2mm fullsuit. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Nouadhibou good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 5/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 1/10). Main coastal city. Various breaks.
How do I get to Nouadhibou?
The nearest airport on our list is NDB, then it's roughly a 15-minute drive. Main coastal city. Various breaks.
What other surf spots are near Nouadhibou?
The closest breaks we track are Cap Blanc (17 km), handy when Nouadhibou isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Apr, Sep
Winter NW swells. Main coastal city. Various breaks.