What to do in the Somone
On the lagoon: pirogue, kayak, paddleboard
A pirogue trip remains the defining experience. A boatman takes you between the mangrove trees, sometimes cuts the engine or paddles through the narrow channels, and stops on a sandbank for a swim or a barefoot walk. For more silence, paddle, kayak & canoe are made for this calm, shallow water: you approach the birds noiselessly and follow the meanders at your own pace. Timing is everything. Early in the morning, the lagoon is glassy and the light low; at the end of the day, the birds return to their roosts and the sky blazes behind the mangrove.
The birds
The lagoon is one of the best birdwatching spots on the Petite Côte, and one of the easiest to reach. Pelicans, herons, egrets, cormorants and terns are found here all year round; from November to March, migrants from Europe come to winter on the mudflats, and flamingos make seasonal appearances. An outing with a naturalist guide and a pair of binoculars turns a pretty trip into a real nature lesson.
The beach
Somone beach, on either side of the river mouth, still looks like a village beach: pirogues pulled up on the sand, nets spread out, children playing football at sunset. No jet skis or nightclubs on the horizon. For a carefree day, the beach & relaxation days bookable on QFS give you a sun lounger, shade and a meal. It is also the ideal setting for a horse ride along the water.
Workshops
The Somone is a good place to get hands-on with local culture. The crafts & traditional skills and dyeing, textiles & sewing workshops send you home with a piece of cloth you have tied and dipped in the dye bath yourself. In a Senegalese cooking class, you go from the market to the pot: thiéboudieune (fish and rice), yassa, bissap. And for those with rhythm in their bones, a percussion workshop or an African dance class makes for a joyful late afternoon.
Wellbeing
Between two outings on the water, a traditional massage, a body treatment or a sunrise yoga & meditation session are among the easiest bookings to slot in.
When to go
| November to March | Cool dry season, clear skies, migratory birds on the mudflats: the best time for the lagoon. |
| April to June | Rising heat, but a breezy coast; the village is quieter outside the holidays, ideal for residents. |
| July to October (the rainy season, hivernage) | Rain, humid heat, more mosquitoes around the mangrove; the sea is sometimes rough. The vegetation is at its greenest. |
| Late October to mid-November 2026 | The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) bring the neighbouring beach of Saly to life: big crowds all along the coast, book early. |
Getting there and around
From Dakar, the toll motorway takes you towards the Petite Côte; you leave it before Mbour to head back down to the sea. Allow about 1¼ to 2 hours depending on the time of day, with Friday-evening departures and Sunday returns the slowest. From AIBD, the journey is short, roughly 30 to 45 minutes. For outings, taxis shuttle to Ngaparou and Saly; to string together Bandia, Popenguine and the lagoon without haggling at every stop, a vehicle with driver is more comfortable: see intercity transfers, vehicle hire with driver and airport / Dakar transfers.
Practical tips
On the water, a hat, sun cream and plenty of water: the glare is strong, even when the sky is hazy. A life jacket for children, repellent for the evening. Stay in the channels your boatman or kayak instructor points out, and do not pick anything in the mangrove: it is a reserve, and it was replanted by hand. In the village, a “hello” and a question before photographing people will open many doors.
Nearby: Ngaparou, Saly, Bandia, Popenguine
Ngaparou almost touches the Somone: a residential, family-friendly small town with more sea activities and plenty to vary your outings. A little further on, Saly, about a quarter of an hour away, is the perfect counterpoint to the Somone: jet skiing, boat trips, sport fishing, quad biking and nightlife. Go there for an evening, then come back to sleep in peace. Further south, see the fishing quay at Mbour.
Inland, Bandia Reserve is about half an hour away: giraffes, rhinos, zebras and buffalo under the baobabs, for a half-day safari that is perfect for families. Set off early, and note that entry to the reserve, depending on the listing, is either included or paid on site, outside the booked price; details on the Bandia page.
To the north, the coast rises into ochre cliffs as far as Popenguine, its Marian shrine and its nature reserve protected by a women’s collective, a story that echoes the lagoon’s. Walkers can carry on to Ndayane. And for a big day out to the south, Joal-Fadiouth and its shell island open the door to the Sine-Saloum Delta. The Somone lies at the heart of the Petite Côte, in Thiès Region.
Book an activity in the Somone with QFS
Start with what you feel like: calm water with pirogues, kayaks and birds, time for yourself with the beach and wellness & relaxation, discovery with local classes & workshops, adventure with a safari at Bandia or quad & buggy in the hinterland. Each activity is run by an independent local professional. You pay 20% to secure your booking (the booking fee), and the balance is paid on site, on the day, to the local provider. Any official fees, such as entry to a reserve, are not included in the price: they are payable on site and stated on each listing. If you live in Senegal, you get the resident rate: up to 30% off.
Frequently asked questions
The Somone or Saly: where should you stay?
The Somone if you are looking for calm, the lagoon and the birds; Saly if you want buzz and a choice of sea activities. They are about a quarter of an hour apart: sleeping in the Somone and going out in Saly is a good formula.
What is the best time for the lagoon?
Early in the morning or in the late afternoon: the light is more beautiful, the birds more active and the mosquitoes less present than at dusk. From November to March, migrants from Europe join the species that are there all year round.
Can you visit the Somone as a day trip from Dakar?
Yes: leave early, do the lagoon in the morning, have lunch by the beach and add a workshop or a massage in the afternoon.
Is the Somone suitable for children?
Very much so: the calm water of the lagoon, crabs and birds that are easy to spot, a village beach with no traffic, and Bandia about half an hour away for a first safari. Remember a life jacket on the water and a hat.
Do you have to pay anything on top of the booked price?
The balance of the activity is paid on site, on the day, to the local provider. Where an official fee applies, for the lagoon reserve for example, it is shown on the listing and paid on site, outside the booked price. Bandia, a private reserve, has no public entry fee: what the visit includes is stated on each listing.
