La Gauche de Loic
- Advanced riders
- Best for
- Intermediate to Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
La Gauche de Loic is an exposed left-hand reef break near Dakar. It’s described as having very consistent surf and often hollow waves breaking over a rocky/boulder reef/reef bottom. Providers emphasize that the wave is reliable and the setup can deliver long rides, typically best at mid tide. The spot’s physical characteristics are the main constraint: access is restricted to a private beach setting, and the launch/entry involves rocky ground and reef hazards. Sources specifically flag rocks and strong currents/rips as key dangers, and one account also mentions sea urchins and sharp volcanic rock. Because conditions can be unforgiving, the spot is framed as suitable only for highly capable surfers, with guidance repeatedly pointing to extreme risk behavior for those attempting it. Wind at this part of the Dakar coast is typically shaped by North/Northeast trade winds with an afternoon sea-breeze/thermal component. East winds are noted as offshore and can improve surface conditions, while wind reliability is described as medium. Surfing is commonly recommended around the mid-tide window, and larger swell is said to be manageable for the break itself, though paddling out can become significantly harder. For safety, plan for limited rescue and no lifeguard presence. The most repeated local advice is to use protective footwear (booties) due to sharp rocks/urchins, to avoid low/high tide scenarios that increase reef contact or swamping risk, and to treat the hazards as serious—especially the combination of reef and strong currents.
- Exposed left-hand reef break that can be hollow and consistent
- Mid tide is the key working window
- Protective footwear strongly recommended due to sharp rock and sea urchins
- Exposed, reliable left-hand reef break with hollow waves described as consistent.
- Works best around mid tide.
- Cleanest wind conditions when winds are offshore (east).
- High-risk reef environment with rocks and strong currents.
- Private beach / not publicly accessible; requires a long walk or boat/paddle access depending on conditions.
- No formal lifeguards; rescue is limited.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N
- Offshore directions
- E
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — North/Northeast trade winds (Alizé) with an afternoon sea-breeze/thermal reinforcement.
- Reliability
- medium
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- January, February, March, November
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · Months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec · Dir: N, NNE, NE · Reliable afternoon thermal/sea-breeze component typical of the Dakar coast.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Rocks
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Reported as medium wave size; surfing descriptions also emphasize powerful/persistent wave energy.
- Launch
- Medium — Rocky entry point / reef entry with difficult access.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Moderate launch difficulty is also described, but overall access/entry into this reef break is characterized as difficult.
Through the year
Generally less crowded than the nearby right-handers, but can see more visitors during peak winter surf months.
July to September
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed reef break with consistent left-hand waves, often hollow, breaking over a rocky reef/boulder bottom.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- N, NW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide is the working window to avoid reef contact on low tide and being swamped on high tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- East winds are offshore and provide the cleanest conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle significant size, but it becomes more challenging to paddle out.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Providers describe the break as powerful/reliable.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Often described as hollow left-breaking waves.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Can produce long rides; reported range up to 50–150m.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal ride length reported as 50 to 150m; also described as offering a long peeling wall that holds size well.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for La Gauche de Loic in the full forecast view.
La Gauche de Loic wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–14 ktsGusts 18 kts
- Direction
- NNW335°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2414 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–2.0 m10s period
- Temperature
- 27–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, La Gauche de Loic is forecast for daytime winds of 4–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 18 kts. The prevailing direction is NNW. Waves run 1.0–2.0 m with a period of about 10s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
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
- rocks
- sharp volcanic rock
- sea urchins
- strong currents
- strong tidal rips
- shallow reef sections
- private beach
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue is largely dependent on the local surf community; no dedicated rescue service cited.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency numbers cited regionally include 18 (fire/ambulance) and 17 (police).
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Localized access/social friction described as low to mild; the main limitation is the private, hard-to-reach access and hazards.
Rules of the spot
Private beach access; follow local access rules and respect surfing etiquette/lineup.
- Private beach—access is not publicly accessible.
- Access requires a long walk (over 30 minutes).
- Only for extreme risk-takers due to rock hazards and strong currents.
- Be careful with the rocks and strong currents.
- Booties are highly recommended due to sharp volcanic rock and urchins.
- Best surfed around mid-tide to avoid hitting the reef on low tide and getting swamped on high tide.
- No lifeguards—plan accordingly.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Dakar
- Nearest Town
- N'Gor
- Parking
- Limited parking in the Almadies or Ngor village areas.
- Access
- Just in front of the Méridien hotel on a private beach close to Dakar and N'Gor; access requires a long walk (over 30 minutes) and is not publicly accessible. Some guidance also indicates access via boat or paddling out from nearby points depending on swell size.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Several surf camps and guesthouses are located in Ngor and the Almadies area.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surfboards can be rented through surf camps in the Ngor area.
- Gear Repair
- Basic repairs are often available through local surf camps and nearby workshops.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at La Gauche de Loic?
The best overall months at La Gauche de Loic are January, February, March, November.
Which wind directions work at La Gauche de Loic?
La Gauche de Loic works with N winds. Offshore directions are E.
What skill level is La Gauche de Loic suitable for?
La Gauche de Loic suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Expert.