Visiting the Somone lagoon: the complete guide

Thumbnail for Visiting the Somone lagoon: the complete guide

Pirogue trips, birds, mangroves and beach: how to plan a visit to the Somone lagoon, from tide times to budget, as a day trip from Dakar or a short hop from Saly.

Visiting the Somone lagoon: the complete guide

The Somone lagoon is a saltwater inlet lined with mangroves, about ninety minutes south of Dakar, just past Saly on the Petite Côte. People come for a pirogue trip, for the birds of the community nature reserve and for a quiet beach afternoon. Here is how to plan the visit around the tide instead of against it.

The reserve: what to know before you go

The lagoon is a community nature reserve, managed together with the surrounding villages. You enter the protected zone with a local guide, and a contribution is collected at the entrance on top of the boat fee: budget a few thousand CFA francs per person, in cash, since card payment is rarely possible here.

  • No free landing on the bird islet or on the sandbanks.
  • Quiet groups see more: the birds stay put when nobody shouts.
  • Mosquitoes come out at dusk near the mangrove, so pack repellent.

The pirogue trip: tides, timing and cost

Everything depends on the tide. At high tide the boat reaches every channel and the loop is longer. At low tide the mudflats appear and the birds gather to feed, but some arms become too shallow. Ask your hotel for the day's tide times the evening before.

  • Best times: late morning or late afternoon, for softer light and less heat.
  • Length: one to two hours depending on water levels.
  • Cost: you hire the whole pirogue rather than a seat, usually a few tens of thousands of CFA francs for a small group. Agree on price, duration and route before you step in.
  • What to bring: water, a hat, sunscreen, binoculars, a plastic bag for your phone.

Paddled pirogues are far quieter than motorised ones, which makes a real difference for birdwatching.

Birds, mangroves and the right season

Depending on the month you may see white pelicans, flamingos, egrets, herons, terns, cormorants and ospreys. The richest season runs from November to April, when migrating birds winter on the lagoon and the sky stays clear. From July to October the rains turn the mangrove deep green, though a shower can push a trip back by an hour. Guides also point out the mangrove saplings replanted by village associations, the oysters clinging to the roots and the old shell mounds, usually the part children remember best.

Beach, hotels and getting there from Dakar

On the ocean side, the sand spit is calmer than the Saly seafront, and the lagoon side stays flat enough for young children. Accommodation ranges from small waterside guesthouses to larger hotels with pools, many of them ten minutes away in Saly. Coming from Almadies, Ngor, Ouakam or Mermoz, take the VDN then the toll motorway towards Diamniadio and Mbour. From Plateau, Point E or Sacré-Cœur, go via Patte d'Oie. Families in Parcelles Assainies, Pikine, Guédiawaye, Keur Massar or Rufisque can join the motorway directly.

  • Rental car: the most flexible option if you want to combine the lagoon, Saly and Bandia.
  • Taxi for the day: agree on the round trip and the waiting time before leaving.
  • Public transport: bus or seven-seater to Mbour, then a local taxi to the village.

Recommended addresses on SeneFinder

To widen the selection around the lagoon, you can see all addresses.

Useful tools

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to book the pirogue in advance?

Not necessarily: boatmen wait at the landing, especially at weekends and in the dry season. For a large group or in high season, arrange it through your accommodation the day before.

When is the best season for birdwatching?

Between November and April, when migrating birds winter on the lagoon. Whatever the season, late afternoon trips are the most rewarding.

Can I visit the Somone lagoon as a day trip from Dakar?

Yes. Allow ninety minutes to two hours of driving each way, a pirogue in the morning, lunch by the water and a return before dark.