Thing to do
Île de Ngor
Small island a few minutes by pirogue from Ngor beach, with small beaches, seafood restaurants and well-known surf breaks on Dakar's northern tip.
Îles de la Madeleine National Park
Uninhabited volcanic islands off Dakar protected as a national park since 1976, visited by park boat for seabirds, cliffs and a clear swimming cove.
At a glance
- Type
- Island national park
- Area
- Off Soumbédioune, Dakar, Senegal
Good to know
- Boat crossing
- Guided walks
- Seabird colonies
- Swimming cove
Why we recommend it
The Îles de la Madeleine are a small group of uninhabited volcanic islands a few kilometres off Dakar's western coast, protected as a national park since 1976. With a land area of less than half a square kilometre, the park is often described as one of the smallest national parks in the world. The main island, Sarpan, is the only one visitors can land on; the smaller islets are seen from the boat.
The appeal is the wild landscape so close to the city: dark volcanic cliffs, steep paths, scrub and two inland basins, on the doorstep of a capital city. Birdlife is the main natural interest. Sarpan has breeding colonies of white-breasted cormorants, whose droppings have turned the island's stunted baobabs white, along with red-billed tropicbirds and bridled terns depending on the season. The island is also a sacred site for the local Lebou community, and local legends are attached to it, including one about the unfinished foundations of a cabin.
Visits are organised by the national park. According to Le Petit Journal's Dakar edition, boats leave from the landing point west of Soumbédioune beach, roughly every hour between 09:00 and 17:00, and the ticket covers the crossing and park entry, with a guide required for each group. The official stay is about four hours. You can follow the guide's short circuit or, if you are sure-footed, ask to explore more slowly. The boat docks in a small cove with clear, calm water that is good for a swim, though the beach itself is tiny.
Bring everything you need. There is no shade on the island and no mobile signal, so pack water, snacks, a hat and strong sun cream, and wear shoes with grip for the rocky paths. Watch out for sea urchins when swimming. Mornings are best, with softer light, fewer visitors and more bird activity, and crossings may not run when the sea is rough.
Allow half a day including the boat. The trip suits active adults and older children who can manage uneven ground; it is not suitable for anyone with limited mobility. Afterwards, the Soumbédioune craft market and fish beach are next to the landing, and the Corniche Ouest leads back towards the Plateau.
Îles de la Madeleine National Park FAQs
Where do boats to the Îles de la Madeleine leave from?
From the landing point west of Soumbédioune beach in Dakar.
Do you need a guide?
Yes, a guide is required for each group, organised by the national park.
How long can you stay?
The official visit is about four hours.
What can you see?
Volcanic cliffs, baobabs and seabird colonies including cormorants and, in season, red-billed tropicbirds.
Can you swim there?
Yes, in the small cove where the boats dock, but watch out for sea urchins.
Is there shade on the island?
No, so bring water, snacks, a hat and sun cream.
Is there mobile signal?
No, there is no mobile network on the island.
When is the best time to go?
In the morning, when it is cooler and the birds are more active.
When did it become a national park?
In 1976.