The pirogue ride in Saly follows the coast towards Ngaparou or heads up to the Somone lagoon, depending on the tide, for about two hours. A local guide comments on coastal life, a snack is served on board, and the activity is open to all, children included.

Two hours between open sea and sheltered water

Departure is from Saly, aboard a traditional pirogue (a wooden boat) with a motor or oars. The motors are quiet and, in calm areas, some pirogues use only oars. The ride alternates between open sea and more sheltered areas, with pauses to watch the birds or chat with the fishermen met en route.

Depending on the tide, the route follows the coast towards Ngaparou or heads up to the Somone lagoon, and some outings go on to the mouth of the lagoon. You may spot herons, egrets and sometimes pelicans near the wetlands. The guide comments on fishing techniques and the birds. A snack is offered on board before the return.

Practical conditions

Included: the pirogue, a local guide and a snack. Groups stay small, for a comfortable outing. A private or small-group outing is possible. Bring a hat, sun cream and a camera; morning or late afternoon are the recommended times.

Saly seen from the water

Saly is about 80 km south of Dakar, on the Petite Côte, born in the 1980s around an old Serer fishing village. It is the liveliest resort in the area, and the pirogue ride offers precisely the opposite: calm time on the water. If you live in Dakar, it is an effortless outing to slip into a weekend, suitable for children; if you are staying here, it is a way to see the region other than from a sun lounger. Our Saly page details the resort, and the Petite Côte page gives the coastal setting.

After the outing

You can extend it with a stroll through Saly’s craft market, a seaside lunch or Bandia Reserve. The Somone lagoon also deserves its own visit, as does Mbour for its fishing port. Other pirogue rides exist along the coast, as well as bird watching.