Pointe de l'Or
Pointe de l'Or (Golden Point) is named for the golden sunset light that bathes this quality right-hand point break near Dakhla. The wave offers long, workable walls in an utterly remote desert setting. When conditions align, this is one of the most scenic surf spots in Africa.
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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 - 1.5m
Water temp
20°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
2/10
Access: Golden Point. Quality right hand point.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Pointe de l'Or?
Pointe de l'Or is a point break in Dakhla, Western Sahara, that mostly breaks right.
What swell works best at Pointe de l'Or?
Pointe de l'Or 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 Pointe de l'Or?
An E wind is dead offshore at Pointe de l'Or, 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 Pointe de l'Or?
Pointe de l'Or is at its best around mid tide, roughly 0.3m to 1.5m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Pointe de l'Or?
The most reliable run of swell at Pointe de l'Or comes Oct to Mar. There's a second window in Apr and Sep too. Winter NW swells. Golden Point. Quality right hand point.
How cold is the water at Pointe de l'Or?
The water at Pointe de l'Or averages around 20°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 Pointe de l'Or good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 6/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 2/10). Golden Point. Quality right hand point.
How do I get to Pointe de l'Or?
The nearest airport on our list is VIL, then it's roughly a 45-minute drive. Golden Point. Quality right hand point.
What other surf spots are near Pointe de l'Or?
The closest breaks we track are Lassarga (4.1 km), Oumlaabour (15 km) and Westpoint (Dakhla) (18 km), handy when Pointe de l'Or isn't working. We track 7 spots around Dakhla in total.
Best Season
Peak: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Apr, Sep
Winter NW swells. Golden Point. Quality right hand point.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Lassarga
🆕 Discovered 2015 • Best in region • Complete waves
Oumlaabour
⬅️ Consistent left point • Desert backdrop • Swell magnet
Westpoint (Dakhla)
🏜️ Desert point break • Surf and kite • Camp culture
La Corniche (Dakhla)
🏖️ Near Laayoune • Multiple peaks • Virtually empty
Untouchables
🔒 Named for isolation • Perfect right • 4x4 mission
Patos
🦆 Remote reef break • Quality shape • Empty desert lineup