Club Med (Almadies)

Senegal3.5/5
Surfing
Shortboard, Advanced riders
Best for
Intermediate
Skill Level
Swell, Ocean
Spot Type
Moderate
Crowd Level

This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.

About this spot

About

Club Med is an exposed reef break on the Dakar Almadies peninsula, producing consistent right-hand waves that tend to be smooth and carving-friendly. The wave is described as peeling overall, with occasional more hollow sections, making it a dependable option when conditions line up. Surf quality is generally good, and the break is often described as long and reliable on a proper swell. Ride length can reach into the very long range on good sets, while the spot is also characterized as handling bigger swell sets, though currents can become stronger when the ocean gets bigger. The spot is most associated with mid tide (with additional guidance that mid-to-high is commonly safer), and it’s reported to work best with offshore winds from the north-northeast. Swell directions reported as working well include southwest, with additional notes that NW/W (and northerly components) can also produce good surf. Safety is a major consideration: the reef has sharp rocks and many sea urchins, and the entry can be slippery. Booties are described as a must, and mid to high tide is generally recommended for safer entry/exit over the rocks. No lifeguard or dedicated rescue is cited for the spot, so planning around hazards and managing risk is important.

  • Reliable right-hand reef waves
  • Peeling, carving-friendly shape
  • Long rides possible on a good swell
  • Offshore N/NNE winds help
Great for
Surfing shortboardAdvanced ridersBeginners
What's great
  • Consistent right-hand reef break
  • Good for carving with a reliable peeling shape
  • Works best on offshore winds from the north-northeast and on swell from the southwest (and similar NW/W directions)
Heads up
  • Reef hazards: sharp rocks and abundant sea urchins
  • Entry/exit can be slippery, especially around low tide
  • Exposed Atlantic location
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
N
Offshore directions
N, NNE
Wind Range
10–20 kts
Wind Type
Trade — North/Northeast trade winds (Alizé) with a sea-breeze/thermal component.
Reliability
Medium - trade winds are common in winter
Gust Factor
Steady
Best Months
November, December, January, February, March, April
Shadow Zones
Possible turbulence very close to the old resort buildings

Water & beach

Water Type
Swell, Ocean
Beach
Reef — Reef/rocky areas with sea urchins.
Beach Size
Small
Waves
Medium
Launch
Small — Rocky entry from the shore near the old resort wall.
Launch Difficulty
Moderate — Rocky entry; careful navigation needed around rocks and urchins.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
18–28 °C
Water Temperature
20–30 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Dec–Apr: 3/2mm full suit
Crowds by Season

Can be crowded on weekends and when the swell is good.

Storm/Rain Season

July to October

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

A reliable right-hand reef break with smooth waves for carving, described as very consistent and often more manageable than heavier surrounding reef options. Can produce occasional hollow sections and generally holds up well.

Reef break
Wave Direction
Right
Optimal Swell
SW, NW, W, N
Swell Height
1.2–3 m
Optimal Tide
Mid — Works most consistently at mid tide; one source also indicates mid-to-high tide as ideal.
Shelter
Exposed — Exposed to the Atlantic.
Wind Effect
Best in offshore winds from north-northeast; North or Northeast offshore winds are favored.
Bigger Swell
Handles size well but the current can become stronger on bigger swell sets.
Wave Quality
Good — Described as good, consistent, and often user-friendly.
Wave Power
Powerful — Also described as producing more moderate power compared with other nearby breaks.
Wave Shape
Peeling — Long, peeling right-hand waves; sometimes more hollow on a good set.
Peel Speed
Medium — Peels smoothly overall; can occasionally form more hollow sections.
Ride Length
Medium — Can offer rides up to 150 meters on a good swell.
Typical Ride Length
100 m
Ride Length Details
Long right reef break; can be up to ~150 meters on a good swell (also described with typical rides around 100 meters).
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Club Med (Almadies) in the full forecast view.

Club Med (Almadies) wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
3–13 ktsGusts 19 kts
Direction
NNW332°
Strongest day
Sat, Oct 2413 kts
Windy days
1/712 kts or more
Waves
0.9–1.8 m10s period
Temperature
26–33 °C

Over the next 7 days, Club Med (Almadies) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 19 kts. The prevailing direction is NNW. Waves run 0.9–1.8 m with a period of about 10s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

What to know before you launch

Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.

Hazards

  • Sharp rocks
  • Sea urchins
  • Shallow reef at low tide
  • Rocks, urchin-covered reef
  • Slippery rocks during entry/exit
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
BootsWetsuit

Rescue & support

Rescue & Self-Rescue
No — No on-site rescue is cited for the spot; regional rescue is described as limited and community-dependent.
Emergency Info
Emergency numbers cited: 18 (fire/ambulance) and 17 (police). Medical emergency info includes Hôpital Principal de Dakar and SOS Médecins.
Localism / Vibe
Mild — Respect the local surfers who frequent the peak.

Rules of the spot

Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the local surfers who frequent the peak.

Local Tips
  • Booties are highly recommended due to the abundance of sea urchins.
  • Entry is over rocks which can be slippery—be careful.
  • Mid to high tide is generally safer for the entry and exit over the rocks.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Dakar
Nearest Town
Almadies
Parking
Limited roadside parking available nearby.
Access
Located in front of the old Club Med resort in the Almadies neighborhood on the Dakar peninsula, at the most westerly point on the African continent.
Cost Level
Moderate
Local Language
French
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Restaurant
Bar
Accommodation
Near — Numerous surf camps and hotels are located in the Ngor and Almadies area.
Food & Drink
Several seafood restaurants and bars within walking distance along the Almadies point.
Equipment Rental:
Available at nearby surf camps in Ngor and Almadies.
Gear Storage
Offered by most surf camps and schools for a daily or weekly fee (where available through camps/schools).
Gear Repair
Minor repairs available at local surf camps.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

Ngor Island0km

Tranquil island accessible by boat; known for beaches, art galleries, and narrow winding paths.

African Renaissance Monument5km

Tallest statue in Africa with panoramic views of the peninsula.

Deep Sea Fishing2km

Sport fishing hub in the Almadies area targeting species like marlin and sailfish.

Almadies Corniche2km

Seafood-focused strip of restaurants and bars overlooking the ocean.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Club Med (Almadies)?

The best overall months at Club Med (Almadies) are November, December, January, February, March, April.

Which wind directions work at Club Med (Almadies)?

Club Med (Almadies) works with N winds. Offshore directions are N, NNE.

What skill level is Club Med (Almadies) suitable for?

Club Med (Almadies) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.