Things to Do in Dakar in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
December Weather in Dakar
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
82°F (27°C)
High Temp
69°F (21°C)
Low Temp
0.0 inches (0 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ UV index hits 8 between 11 am and 3 pm. Seek shade. Reapply sunscreen. Burn time shrinks.
⚠ Harmattan dust can irritate eyes and throat around mid-December. Carry water. Bring protective eyewear on windy days. Comfort counts.
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + December brings Dakar's driest conditions - you might catch one brief shower all week, so Goree Island day trips rarely face cancellation
- + The retreat from October's brutal heat yields perfect 26°C (79°F) afternoons for walking the Corniche's 7 km (4.3 miles) of Atlantic coastline
- + Hotel rates find their sweet spot - high season crowds haven't arrived, yet service standards already hit peak levels
- + Gorée's Maison des Esclaves tours gain intimacy from December's thinner visitor numbers, granting you real time to absorb the Door of No Return's weight
Considerations
- − Harmattan dust occasionally blows in from the Sahara - the fine, reddish powder coats everything and triggers respiratory issues for sensitive travelers
- − Ocean temperatures fall to a brisk 21°C (70°F) - locals won't swim, and you'll want a light jacket for sunset at Almadies' beach bars
- − December 31st hotel bookings spike 200% in the Plateau district, so your ocean-view room becomes a parking-lot view if you book late
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Gorée Island Historical Walks
December's dry mornings make the 20-minute ferry ride from Dakar Port feel like a Mediterranean crossing rather than a sweaty ordeal. The island's cobblestones stay bone-dry, important for navigating the steep 300 m (984 ft) climb to the old fort without slipping. You'll spend more time inside the slave houses because tour groups haven't started their winter influx yet.
Booking Tip: Book ferry tickets at least one day ahead at the port office - they sometimes limit afternoon departures to 200 passengers. Licensed guides wait at the dock, though you can also explore with the excellent audio guide from the museum.
Pink Lake Salt Harvesting Tours
The lake's famous pink hue deepens in December's intense afternoon light - it's more vivid now than during the rainy season when rainwater dilutes the algae. Salt collectors start work at 7 AM when temperatures are still bearable at 20°C (68°F), and you'll witness the harvest before tour buses arrive from mid-morning.
Booking Tip: Arrange through your hotel or any of the operators along the Dakar-St. Louis highway. The 35 km (22 mile) journey takes 45 minutes if you leave before 8 AM to beat traffic. Most tours include the nearby Retba village for lunch.
African Renaissance Monument Hiking
December's 27°C (81°F) summit temperatures make the 198 steps to the statue's viewing platform enjoyable rather than a death march. The Atlantic breeze cuts through the humidity, and clear skies give unobstructed views of Dakar's entire peninsula stretching 50 km (31 miles) north to south.
Booking Tip: Visit between 9-11 AM for the best light and smallest crowds. The on-site elevator to the top is currently operational after repairs, though climbing the stairs gives better photo angles.
Soumbedioune Fish Market Seafood Experiences
December's peak fishing season means the evening catch includes massive 2 kg (4.4 lb) red snapper and dorado that locals grill right on the sand. The market starts at 5 PM when fishing boats return, and the smell of charcoal and garlic butter competes with diesel fumes from the idling trucks.
Booking Tip: Bring cash and arrive hungry - there's no formal booking, just point at the fish you want. Most vendors speak Wolof and French. But pointing works fine. The market is walkable from Plateau in 15 minutes.
Sandaga Market Textile Shopping
December's dry air prevents the usual musty smell from the fabric warehouses, making the maze of wax-print cloth stalls pleasant to browse. The market's 600 stalls stay cooler in December's 25°C (77°F) mornings, and tailors work faster because they're not constantly wiping sweat from their brows.
Booking Tip: Come before 10 AM for the best selection and prices. Tailors can create custom outfits within 24 hours - bring reference photos on your phone. The market spans four blocks between Ave. Lamine Gueye and Ave. Emile Badiane.
Ngor Island Snorkeling
While 21°C (70°F) water sounds warm, December's ocean requires a short wetsuit for anything beyond a quick dip. The trade-off is visibility - crystal-clear 30 m (98 ft) views reveal lively coral gardens that get murky during the rainy season. You'll share the water with local surfers rather than tour groups.
Booking Tip: Boats leave from Ngor beach every 30 minutes - no advance booking needed. Equipment rental is available from beach shacks, though serious snorkelers should bring their own masks for better fit.
Where to Stay in Dakar in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Late December
Dakar Rally (Africa Eco Race)
The spiritual successor to the original Dakar Rally arrives in late December, with motorcycles and 4x4s crossing the finish line at Lac Rose. You'll see the actual rally cars up close at the bivouac near the lake, and the atmosphere at the finish is surprisingly accessible - no tickets required.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Dakar Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
The best thieboudienne (Senegal's national dish) is at Chez Loutcha on Ave. Pompidou - they've been serving the same 80-year-old recipe since 1954, and December's cooler evenings make the outdoor seating bearable for the first time in months
Skip the official Goree Island restaurants - locals bring picnic lunches from Dakar and eat on the fort's northern wall with better views than any cafe
December's dry season means roads to Pink Lake are passable in regular taxis instead of requiring 4x4 vehicles like October
The secret to Sandaga Market haggling: start at 40% of asking price in December when vendors aren't desperate for rainy-season customers
Avoid These Mistakes
Hotel concierges slap a 40% premium on Goree Island tours, skip the middleman, stroll to the port, and grab your own ferry tickets.
If you plan to swim at Almadies beaches at sunset, know this: December's 21°C (70°F) water feels brisk to most Europeans once the clock ticks past 4 PM.
Dismiss the Harmattan at your peril. That pale morning haze is dust that will soon glaze your camera lens and rasp your throat.
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Top-rated things to do in Dakar this December
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