Just a few nautical miles from Dakar, off the Cape Verde Peninsula, the Madeleine Islands form a unique micro-archipelago: it is the smallest national park in Senegal… and in the world, covering barely 50 hectares, yet also one of the most extraordinary due to the wildness of its landscapes and the richness of its wildlife. Classified as a national park since 1976, the “Madeleine” Islands captivate with their volcanic cliffs sculpted by the sea, hidden coves, wind-sculpted vegetation, and an atmosphere steeped in legend and history.
Once feared by fishermen and associated with guardian spirits, these islands have become a sanctuary for seabirds, botanists, ecotourism enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a breath of wild nature just 20 minutes from Dakar.

A site rich in history and myths

Local traditions grant the Madeleine Islands a special place: temples of spirits, refuges of supernatural beings, sites of secret rituals. According to legend, the main island (Sarpan) was once the place of exile for a rebellious French soldier, giving it the nickname “Snake Island.”
In 1749, the French naturalist Michel Adanson described a giant baobab engraved with the initials of famous sailors such as Henry the Navigator, now gone. Fishermen avoided landing for fear of spirits’ wrath or sudden storms—respect that likely contributed to the site’s preservation.

Volcanic landscapes and biodiversity

The archipelago consists of two islands. The largest is Sarpan Island, and the smaller is Lougne Island, which is less hospitable. The black basalt cliffs of this archipelago, carved by millions of years of waves and wind, drop steeply into the Atlantic.
The flora, adapted to sea spray and drought, is unique: dwarf baobabs, tamarisks, euphorbias, steppe grasses… Over 101 plant species are recorded, some endemic, along with a semi-desert ecosystem inhabited by monitor lizards, lizards, and harmless snakes.
The site is an ornithological paradise: royal and common terns, great cormorants, brown pelicans, gannets, ospreys, tropicbirds (pailles-en-queue, the park emblem), gulls, and birds of prey stop over or nest in the volcanic crevices, alongside skuas and magnificent fulmars.

Underwater, marine life abounds—fish, sea urchins, mussels, octopuses, barracudas, as well as giant urchins and small mollusks—making snorkeling sessions as spectacular as they are educational.

How to visit the Madeleine Islands

• Departure: visits are by pirogue from Soumbédioune Port or the western Corniche in Dakar, guided by park staff (official welcome chalet).
• Crossing: 20 to 30 minutes depending on currents, with stunning views of Cape Verde and occasional company of dolphins or large flying fish.
• On-site: guided tour mandatory (for conservation), maximum duration 4 hours to preserve tranquility.
• Walking routes: marked trails on the main island, hike along the volcanic ridge, ocean viewpoints, panoramic views of Dakar, salty snacks, and wildlife/plant observation.

Activities on the Madeleine Islands

• Hiking and Observation: natural trails through volcanic landscapes, walks along the cliffs.
• Birdwatching: during nesting season, spectacular colonies of tropicbirds, cormorants, terns, ospreys…
• Snorkeling: accompanied by park guards in authorized areas—clear waters, colorful rocky seabeds (beware of sea urchins).
• Pirogue tour: crossing and circuit around the islets, sometimes at sunset.
• Photography and Contemplation: black volcanic rocks, turquoise coves, striking contrast with Dakar’s skyline in the background.

Anecdotes and unique features

• The “Sailors’ Baobab” described by Adanson once bore engravings of the greatest European navigators who landed here—today no tree displays these marks, adding to the islands’ mystery.
• Sarpan is sometimes nicknamed “the ghost island” by Dakar residents: in foggy weather, it seems to disappear and suddenly reappear, fueling superstitions.
• The cliffs are littered with white guano: early sailors called the islands “Isles de Merde” due to the incredible amount deposited by birds!
• During winter storms, the hollow rocks sometimes resonate eerily: fishermen say these are the “singing spirits.”
• Turtles lay eggs on the small hidden beach of Snake Island during the rainy season; eco-guards monitor nests to prevent poaching.

Practical information

• Location: about 3.5–4 km west of Dakar, access from Soumbédioune Port.
• Access: park-organized pirogue; 20–30 min, life jacket mandatory, no departure in bad weather.
• Fees: park entry approx. 1,000 FCFA (€1.50), mandatory guide (group 5,000 FCFA), pirogue 4,000–5,000 FCFA/person; packages for groups or families available.
• Hours: 9 a.m.–5 p.m., max 4 hours on the island, guided tours only.
• Equipment: closed walking shoes (sharp rocks, sea urchins), hat, water, sunscreen, snack (no food services on site).
• Services: no tourist infrastructure, keep the site clean, stay on trails to protect wildlife/plants.
• Best Season: year-round except rough seas; best for migratory birds (April–July).
• Safety: swimming and snorkeling only in supervised areas, accompanied by a park guide.