Secret 2 (Almadies)
- Beginners, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Secret 2 is a low-profile, exposed reef break in Dakar’s Almadies area, known for reliable sessions and a quieter crowd. The wave is described as mellow and beginner-friendly in at least one spot description, while another spot-level description places the most comfortable performance in the intermediate range due to the reef-entry conditions and current risk. The break is on a rocky reef and the main hazards are rocks and sea urchins. Entry and exit require careful foot placement on shallow rocky sections, and you should plan for booties to protect against urchins and sharp reef. Strong rip currents can develop, especially during larger NW swells, so be conservative with water start timing and spacing. Wind at the spot is generally tied to North/Northeast trade winds with a consistent afternoon sea-breeze/thermal component. Offshore winds are described as North through East, while West or South winds can make the water choppier. A winter-focused wind pattern is indicated with higher reliability during winter months, and the spot-level wind months highlight November through March. For the best surf setup, Secret 2 is described as performing best with NW swells, and spot-level details include an optimal swell-height window. Mid-tide is commonly recommended to avoid the shallowest reef sections, which pairs with the rocky-entry safety note. Overall, it’s a dependable choice for surfers seeking consistent reef waves with relatively low crowding—provided you respect the hazards and current conditions.
- Rarely crowded reef break
- Reliable year-round surf
- Best in NW swells, especially in winter months
- Very reliable year-round surf
- Beginner-to-intermediate friendly overall (mellow reef waves described)
- Rarely crowded compared with more famous nearby options
- Rocky entry with sea urchins and sharp reef hazards
- Strong rip currents can develop, especially with larger NW swells
- Exposed conditions can be unforgiving if you’re underprepared
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NE, E
- Offshore directions
- N, NE, E
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — North/Northeast trade winds (Alizé) with a thermal/sea-breeze reinforcement.
- Reliability
- High during winter months
- Gust Factor
- Steady
- Best Months
- November, December, January, February, March
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · Months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec · Dir: N, NNE, NE · A reliable afternoon sea-breeze/thermal component often develops and reinforces the prevailing trade wind flow.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocky/reef composition at the access and break zone.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium
- Launch
- Small — Rocky entry requiring careful foot placement due to sharp reef and sea urchins.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Moderate due to rocky entry and shallow reef sections.
Through the year
July to September
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed rocky reef break in the Almadies area with mellow waves; typically offers left-hand waves (with some descriptions of right-hand performance depending on angle/setup).
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- NW, WNW, N
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid-tide is commonly recommended to avoid the shallowest reef sections.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- North to East winds are offshore; winds from West or South tend to make the water choppy.
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold significant size but may become heavy with strong currents.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Can become hollow in more specific right-condition setups.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Provides a functional wall for maneuvers; ride length described as medium overall.
- Ride Length Details
- A functional wall for maneuvers; can hollow in the right conditions.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Secret 2 (Almadies) in the full forecast view.
Secret 2 (Almadies) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–11 ktsGusts 17 kts
- Direction
- NNW327°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2411 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–1.7 m10s period
- Temperature
- 26–33 °C
Over the next 7 days, Secret 2 (Almadies) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 17 kts. The prevailing direction is NNW. Waves run 0.9–1.7 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 reef
- Sea urchins
- Strong currents
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue is generally limited and often depends on the local surf community/camps.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Described as having no or minimal localism in the spot-level material.
Rules of the spot
- Use caution on the rocky entry—foot placement is critical.
- Wear booties: sea urchins and sharp rocks are a key risk during entry and exit.
- Aim for a mid-tide window to avoid the shallowest reef sections.
- Watch for rip currents, especially during larger NW swells.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Dakar
- Nearest Town
- Almadies
- Parking
- Limited parking available along the coastal roads in Almadies; a walk to the water is required.
- Public Transport
- Primarily via local taxis and buses; private car hire or surf camp shuttles are commonly used for access.
- Access
- Accessible via a walk over the rocks from the Almadies point area.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- French, Wolof
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Numerous hotels and guest houses are located in the Almadies and Ngor districts.
- Food & Drink
- Various restaurants and bars are located within walking distance in the Almadies area.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental equipment is available at surf camps in nearby Ngor and Almadies.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Dakar’s coastal neighborhoods mix city life with sport culture, with sightseeing and nightlife concentrated around the Corniche and nearby historic sites.
Tranquil island accessible by boat; known for beaches, art galleries, and narrow winding paths.
Tallest statue in Africa with panoramic views of the peninsula.
UNESCO World Heritage site connected to the Atlantic slave trade, featuring historic architecture and museums.
Sport fishing hub in the Almadies area targeting species like marlin and sailfish.
Seafood-focused strip of restaurants and bars overlooking the ocean.
Amusement park on the Dakar Corniche.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Secret 2 (Almadies)?
The best overall months at Secret 2 (Almadies) are November, December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Secret 2 (Almadies)?
Secret 2 (Almadies) works with N, NE, E winds. Offshore directions are N, NE, E.
What skill level is Secret 2 (Almadies) suitable for?
Secret 2 (Almadies) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.