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Bakau Beach

Пляж Бакау
Gambia · Beach · Bakau
moderate
Best month: December

Best for

Ideal for travellers interested in local culture and fishing. Suitable for watching fishermen-s life and photography. Not suitable for swimming due to strong currents.

Best month

December

Water
+26.0°C
Length
1 000 m
A working beach in Bakau where you can see colourful pirogues and a local fish market. It offers an insight into the daily life of a Gambian fishing community.
Surface
sand
Waves
moderate
Entry
gentle
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
A working beach in Bakau where you can see colourful pirogues and a local fish market. It offers an insight into the daily life of a Gambian fishing community.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • Authentic local atmosphere
  • Colourful fishing boats
  • Fish market
  • Rocky coves for fishing
  • Sea view restaurants
  • Scenic sunsets

Cons

  • Strong currents, swimming dangerous
  • Noisy and crowded
  • Fish smells
  • Limited infrastructure
  • Crocodiles in nearby waters
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for travellers interested in local culture and fishing. Suitable for watching fishermen-s life and photography. Not suitable for swimming due to strong currents.
Features
What makes this beach unique
A bustling working beach with colourful pirogues and a fish market where you can observe the daily life of local fishermen. Nearby rocky coves and Ngala Lodge hotel.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
white
Sand Texture
Grain size
fine
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
gentle
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
20 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
mixed
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
recommended
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
1 000 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
turquoise
Water Clarity
moderate
Underwater Visibility
2.0 m
Average Water Temp
+26.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+29.0 °C
Wave Type
moderate
Wave Height
0.5 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
November December
Season end
April May
Best month
December
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
high
Water Quality
Water purity rating
moderate
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
low
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
low
Crime Level
Overall safety level
safe
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
3.0 km
What exactly is dangerous
No serious threats.
Dangerous creatures
crocodiles
Insurance & Connectivity
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Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
Yes
Umbrellas
Yes
Showers
No
Toilets
Yes
Changing Rooms
No
Lifeguards
No
First Aid
No
Parking
Yes
Wi-Fi
Yes
Kids Playground
No
Sports Ground
No
Restaurants Nearby
5 pcs
Best restaurants

Ngala Lodge Restaurant

International

Hotel restaurant with terrace overlooking a rocky cove, international cuisine

Calypso Beach Bar

International

Beach bar and restaurant with bay views, a popular sunset spot

Nearby cuisines

International

International cuisine with local seafood

Must try: Fresh fish, calamari, grilled dishes
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
active
Crowd Level
crowded
Silence Level
noisy
Sunset Quality
beautiful
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
Yes
Natural Shade
moderate
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
No
Diving
No
Surfing
No
Kayaking / SUP
No
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Water Towel Flip-flops Cash Hat
Best Time to Swim
Morning is the best time for watching fishermen. In the evening — beautiful sunsets.
Local Rules
Swimming is not recommended due to strong currents. Take your rubbish with you.
Getting there & Car rental
Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
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Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Kachikally Crocodile Pool

Park with crocodiles where you can feed and touch them

Bakau Botanical Gardens

Scenic garden with tropical plants and birds

Bakau Market

Local market with fresh fish and crafts

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Bakau Beach: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — turquoise, clarity moderate, average temperature +26.0°C, warms up to +29.0°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Bakau Beach: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — moderate. Average wave height — 0.5 m.
Bakau Beach: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — gentle. The shallow area extends for 20 metres from the shore. Bottom — mixed. It is recommended to bring aqua shoes — parts of the bottom have rocks or corals. The gentle slope is safe for children and inexperienced swimmers.
Bakau Beach: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — white. Texture — fine. Beach length — 1 000 metres.
Bakau Beach: when is the swimming season?
The swimming season starts in November, December. It ends in April, May. The best month for a holiday is December. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
Bakau Beach: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as moderate. Rip currents are likely — swim only in designated areas. Jellyfish risk — low. Shark risk — low. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Bakau Beach: which dangerous creatures live in the water?
The water contains: crocodiles. We recommend wearing protective footwear, not touching marine life and taking care when entering the water.
Bakau Beach: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: sunbeds, umbrellas, toilets, parking, Wi-Fi. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Bakau Beach: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
There are no lifeguards on the beach — be especially careful when swimming.
Bakau Beach: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Ngala Lodge Restaurant, Calypso Beach Bar. Cuisines available: International. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Bakau Beach: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Towel, Flip-flops, Cash, Hat.
Bakau Beach: when is the best time to swim?
Morning is the best time for watching fishermen. In the evening — beautiful sunsets.
Bakau Beach: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Swimming is not recommended due to strong currents. Take your rubbish with you.
Bakau Beach: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for travellers interested in local culture and fishing. Suitable for watching fishermen-s life and photography. Not suitable for swimming due to strong currents.
Bakau Beach: what makes this beach unique?
A bustling working beach with colourful pirogues and a fish market where you can observe the daily life of local fishermen. Nearby rocky coves and Ngala Lodge hotel.
Bakau Beach: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: Authentic local atmosphere, Colourful fishing boats, Fish market, Rocky coves for fishing, Sea view restaurants, Scenic sunsets. Cons: Strong currents, swimming dangerous, Noisy and crowded, Fish smells, Limited infrastructure, Crocodiles in nearby waters.
Bakau Beach: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Kachikally Crocodile Pool, Bakau Botanical Gardens, Bakau Market. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Bakau Beach: how do I get to the city of Bakau?
The beach is located near the city of Bakau. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for Bakau.

City

Bakau

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.