Dakar Cruise Port
Dakar, Senegal · Africa
Cruise ships dock at Môle 1 (Port Autonome de Dakar), Dakar.
Plan my port daysDocked port in the working harbour: ships berth at Môle 1, about 1.5 km from Place de l'Indépendance, and the Gorée ferry leaves from the maritime station next door. There is no proper cruise terminal; follow the ship's instructions for the exit and expect persistent vendors at the gate.
At a glance
Port summary
Dakar is loud, colourful and full of energy: a sprawling West African capital on the Cap-Vert peninsula with a strong French heritage, mbalax music and a famously warm welcome (teranga). Ships berth at Môle 1 in the Port Autonome de Dakar. The highlight for most visitors is Gorée Island, a car-free island of pastel colonial houses and bougainvillea whose House of Slaves (Maison des Esclaves) commemorates the Atlantic slave trade; the ferry (chaloupe) leaves from the maritime station beside the port and takes about 20 minutes, but sailings are irregular, so check the timetable for the return. In the Plateau, a 10–20 minute walk away, you find Place de l'Indépendance, the Art Deco Marché Kermel, the IFAN Théodore Monod museum of African art and the striking Museum of Black Civilisations. Further west along the Corniche, reached by taxi, are the colossal African Renaissance Monument, the seafront Mosquée de la Divinité, the Soumbédioune fishing beach and craft village, Les Mamelles lighthouse and the Pointe des Almadies, Africa's westernmost point. Lac Rose (about an hour away) and the Bandia wildlife reserve (about 1½ hours) are best done on a tour. Taxis have no meters, so agree the fare first; carry small CFA notes, dress modestly, and expect hustlers around the port, Place de l'Indépendance and the markets.
Cruise dock
Môle 1 (Port Autonome de Dakar)
Cruise berth in the commercial port; no cruise terminal building. Coordinate is the OSM centre of the 'Mole 1' pier. The Gorée ferry (LMDG) leaves from the gare maritime about 300 m west; Place de l'Indépendance about 1.5 km on foot.
Latitude: 14.675442, Longitude: -17.427727
See dock on port map →Getting to Dakar
From the cruise terminal to the city centre
Map & things to do
Money & payments
Bring cash: about 25,000–40,000 CFA covers the Gorée ferry, entry fees, taxis and small purchases, more for Lac Rose. Get CFA from a bank ATM in the Plateau and keep 1,000 and 2,000 notes handy.
Build your perfect day in Dakar
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Inside the Africa collection
Here's a peek at everything waiting for your Dakar cruise day.
Typical weather
Emergency & contacts
Excursions compared
3 comparedGorée Island: House of Slaves and the island village
≈ 5 h · sold by 3 cruise lines
Cruise line
€145$162
Do it yourself
€24$27
Save ≈ €121Save ≈ $135 (83% off)
Walk about 5–10 minutes from Môle 1 to the gare maritime and buy an LMDG chaloupe ticket at the counter: 6,000 CFA return for non-residents plus 500 CFA island tax (about €10), 20 minutes each way, no reservations. Sailings are irregular (roughly every 1–2½ hours, with a midday lull), so photograph the timetable and plan around a return well before all-aboard. On the island the Maison des Esclaves (about 1,000–1,500 CFA) opens Tuesday–Sunday 10:30–12:00 and 15:00–18:00, closed Mondays.
See the DIY plan →
Dakar highlights: African Renaissance Monument, Corniche and the Plateau
≈ 4.5 h · sold by 3 cruise lines
Cruise line
€150$168
Do it yourself
€37$41
Save ≈ €113Save ≈ $126 (75% off)
Hire a yellow-and-black taxi at the port gate for a half day (agree roughly 20,000–30,000 CFA in advance, pay at the end) or use the Yango app for single legs. Ride 20–30 minutes along the Corniche to the Renaissance Monument (about 6,500 CFA for foreigners, lift included), stop at the Mosquée de la Divinité and Soumbédioune, then return to the Plateau for the Museum of Black Civilisations (from about 2,000 CFA, closed Mondays) and walk back via Place de l'Indépendance and Marché Kermel.
See the DIY plan →
Ready-made port days
8 plansGorée Island: the House of Slaves and the Castel
Dakar's essential half day: a 20-minute ferry to a car-free island with a heavy history.
The Plateau and Cap Manuel on Foot, for Free
Colonial squares, the Kermel market hall and a cliff-top walk to Dakar's southern tip.
Museum of Black Civilisations and IFAN African Art
Two of West Africa's best museums, minutes from the ship and blissfully air-conditioned.
Corniche Highlights: Renaissance Monument, Mamelles and the Almadies
Dakar's big sights along the coast road by hired taxi, ending at Africa's westernmost point.
Frequently asked questions
- Where does my cruise ship dock in Dakar?
- Your ship docks directly at the Dakar cruise terminal in Senegal.
- Can I walk from the cruise port into Dakar?
- Yes. Dakar is walkable from the cruise port — many cruisers reach the city centre on foot.
- How do I get from the cruise port to Dakar centre?
- Typical options include On foot, Ferry, Taxi, Other transport, Shuttle bus. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
- How much time do I need in Dakar?
- Plan for at least 4 hours ashore to see Dakar independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
- What currency is used in Dakar and are cards accepted?
- Dakar uses the West African CFA franc. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.
- Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?
- Wi-Fi isn't reliably available at the Dakar cruise terminal. Consider a local SIM or your cruise line's data package.
- When should I be back at the ship?
- Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.
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