Philippes
- Advanced riders
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell
- Spot Type
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Range
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Philippes is an exposed reef break at the northwestern side of Ngor Island, reached by boat from the Ngor/Dakar coast. The wave is described as high-performance and capable of world-class quality, with fast, heavy walls and potential for hollow sections on the right-hand reef. The spot’s most reliable surf conditions are associated with northwest swells combined with south winds (often south to southeast). Sources emphasize that the wave can become very heavy on larger swells and is primarily suitable for experienced/advanced surfers who can handle powerful reef energy. Safety is a major consideration: the reef is sharp and there are lots of sea urchins, so booties are strongly recommended. Currents can be strong, especially with bigger swells or during tide changes, and the conditions are exposed—there are no formal lifeguard services on the island and rescue is described as limited. Seasonally, the guide data highlights September as the best month, while another set of notes points to a winter swell period around November through March for consistent northwest swells. Water temperatures are warm throughout the year (roughly 18°C in winter up to about 28°C in late summer), supporting lighter wetsuit options outside the cooler months.
- World-class/high-quality exposed reef surfing potential
- Best combination: northwest swells with south winds
- Big-wave, heavy-water character on the reef for advanced surfers
- Exposed reef break with high-performance waves.
- Best with northwest swells and south winds; can offer hollow sections for expert surfers.
- Warm water year-round with seasonally varying temperatures.
- Very sharp reef with many sea urchins—foot protection is critical.
- Strong currents and powerful, exposed big-wave conditions.
- No lifeguard services on the island and limited rescue availability.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SSE
- Offshore directions
- S, SSE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — South to southeast winds are noted for the spot; regional pattern includes trade winds with an afternoon sea-breeze component.
- Reliability
- fair
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- September
- Shadow Zones
- The island terrain can provide some shelter from North winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocks/reef.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Big — Reef big-wave conditions; optimal swell window cited as 1.5–4.0 m.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky entry point on the northwestern tip of the island; often requires a paddle out or boat drop-off.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Rocky entry and reef proximity make entry and navigation challenging.
Through the year
July to September
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed reef break off the northwestern tip of Ngor Island, producing high-performance reef waves that can become very heavy and hollow for experienced surfers.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- NW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Best with offshore winds from the South or Southeast which groom the wave faces.
- Bigger Swell
- Handles significant size well; becomes serious heavy-water for experts on bigger swells.
- Wave Quality
- World class — Described as world-class/excellent depending on source.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Often described as very heavy with hollow potential on the reef.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Fast walls with occasional hollow sections on the right-hand swell.
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Medium — Sources describe medium ride length; typical rides can run tens to low hundreds of meters.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Fast, heavy walls on the right-hand reef with potential for short barrel sections.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Philippes in the full forecast view.
Philippes 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, Philippes 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
- sea urchins
- sharp reef
- strong currents
- powerful waves
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard services on the island.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No rescue availability is cited for the island spot itself; regional rescue depends largely on the local surf community and nearby camps.
- Emergency Info
- Medical facilities are located on the Dakar mainland; there are no formal lifeguard services on the island. Emergency numbers cited include 18 (fire/ambulance) and 17 (police).
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Some sources indicate low localism; other guidance notes mild localism.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the local surfers and surf camps operating in the area.
- Booties are highly recommended because of sea urchins on the reef.
- The spot is best accessed by boat from the Dakar/Ngor area to Ngor Island.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Dakar
- Nearest Town
- Ngor
- Parking
- Parking is available at the Ngor boat landing area on the mainland.
- Access
- Access involves a small boat trip (pirogue) from Ngor to Ngor Island, then a walk to the northwestern side of the island.
- Local Language
- French, Wolof
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Several surf camps and guest houses are located directly on Ngor Island.
- Food & Drink
- Local restaurants on the island serve fresh seafood and refreshments.
- Equipment Rental:
- Available at surf camps on Ngor Island and the mainland in Almadies.
- Gear Storage
- Offered by local surf camps for their guests.
- Gear Repair
- Basic repairs can often be handled by local surf shops in the Almadies district.
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 Philippes?
The best overall months at Philippes are September.
Which wind directions work at Philippes?
Philippes works with S, SSE winds. Offshore directions are S, SSE.
What skill level is Philippes suitable for?
Philippes suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced to Expert.