In Saly, the private beach day has a simple advantage: you pick your patch of sand and never move. Sun lounger reserved all day, lunch included, gentle entertainment and a generally calm sea, on the Petite Côte, about 80 km from Dakar.

A day without a programme

The day begins with settling onto a reserved sun lounger, in the sun, under a parasol or in the shade of a coconut palm as you prefer. Towels are provided and the area is well kept. The morning is for swimming in a generally calm sea, reading, listening to music or having a coffee or a fresh juice, depending on what the venue offers.

At midday, lunch is served in the shade or at your lounger, with menus that vary from day to day: grilled fish, African specialities, salads, simple dishes, vegetarian options. The afternoon makes room for gentle entertainment, which varies by day (lounge music, light dancing, a zen atmosphere), a nap, a second swim or a walk along the beach towards the wilder parts of Saly and Ngaparou.

What you need to know

Lunch and the sun lounger are included for the whole day. Additional drinks are not included. Some private beaches have showers, changing rooms or lockers. Bring sun cream, a hat and sunglasses, and arrive early to make the most of the day. At weekends it is busier: booking is recommended.

The sea is generally calm, which suits families, and the activity is for adults and children alike. Water activities are available nearby, such as paddleboarding, kayaking and light surfing.

Saly, an easy escape from Dakar

Saly is the beach resort of the Petite Côte, about 80 km from the capital. If you live in Dakar, it is a Saturday by the sea that does not need a hotel room. If you are visiting, it is the day without an excursion between two outings.

Around Saly

Saly’s craft village is a place to pick up a souvenir, and the Somone lagoon invites a late-afternoon pirogue ride. Mbour and its fishing port are a short distance away. To stay on the water, paddleboarding and kayaking or jet skiing offer other sensations.