LATITUDE: 14 deg N
WATER TEMP: 24 deg C December
FLIGHT TIME/COST: 6 hours from London, return from £400
BUDGET: Africa! £200/week should do ya nicely
WAVES: 7
WEATHER: 9
CROWDS: 7
WOW-FACTOR: 7

You’ve done Morocco and loved it but want more sub-Saharan African vibes, darker, warmer… more African!

There are two distinct surf seasons, first one from October to December, when water is still very trunkable, no rain and with good waves for beginners and intermediates. If you wanna score the legendary points of N’Gor, Ouakam or the Almadies with a bit of juice then try January – March but bring your 3/2.

Dakar offers a variety of breaks, from the fast barrels of Ouakam to the ripable walls of N’Gor. Senegal has became the last few years a true surfing family destination, you can bring your kids or your misses. There’s plenty going on in or out of the water and now there are a lot more flights from Europe than before.

Surfing in Senegal means mostly surfing around the capital Dakar, even if now a new highway will bring you faster north and south of the city. It’s cosmopolitan with a general good vibe, fantastic art and music and most importantly excellent security: Dakar is probably the safest African capital nowadays, and the predominantly Muslim Senegalese pride themselves in being open-minded whatever your religion or lack thereof, which is another plus.

Photo: Testemale

In terms of Don’t Do’s: Fake guides, taxis, etc. They’re rife and will spot the clueless tourists in no time, so prepare your trip beforehand, i.e. get a contact person before arrival and you’ll be sweet.

For single lads going out at night, having a few beers around the pool table or
in the ‘maquis’ the local underground bars, enjoying the vibes and especially those beautiful girls who just showed up… bear in mind HIV is alarmingly widespread.

Senegal is cool, colourful, fair, egalitarian and wave rich… just don’t be one of those naive Europeans.

– Archi