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Senegal

Explore Senegal

Diving in Senegal offers an exceptional underwater experience that blends vibrant marine life with captivating dive environments. The waters off the Senegalese coast are teeming with diverse species, from colorful tropical fish to majestic sea turtles and even the occasional dolphin. This rich biodiversity makes it a paradise for underwater photographers and marine enthusiasts alike. The country is home to several stunning coral reefs, which serve as both a habitat for marine life and a breathtaking backdrop for divers exploring these underwater gardens.

Senegal's dive environments are as varied as they are intriguing. Enthusiasts can explore everything from shallow reefs perfect for novice divers to dramatic wall dives that drop into the azure depths, offering thrilling adventures for the more experienced. The presence of intriguing shipwrecks provides an added layer of mystery and exploration, often becoming artificial reefs themselves. While shore dives offer easy access to some sites, boat dives and liveaboard trips allow divers to reach more remote locations, ensuring a comprehensive experience of Senegal's underwater marvels.

A notable feature of diving in Senegal is its seasonal diversity. The water temperatures range from 21°C–30°C/70°F–86°F throughout the year, allowing divers to enjoy comfortable conditions almost year-round. During certain seasons, divers have the unique opportunity to witness the migration of humpback whales, an awe-inspiring sight that makes Senegal stand out as an unforgettable dive destination.

Power Plug Type
C, E
Payment Method
AMEX, DC, JCB, Cir, Plus
Airports
DSS
Currency
XOF
Dial Code
+221
Electricity
230V
Time
UTC +0

Courses and Events

Dive Centers

Dive Sites

Top Wildlife Sightings in Senegal

Senegal's coastal waters harbor a diverse array of marine life, appealing to divers and marine enthusiasts alike. The country's reefs are home to common fish species such as parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish, which are frequently encountered by divers exploring the vibrant underwater ecosystems. These species thrive in the warm Atlantic waters, providing a colorful spectacle against the backdrop of the coral reefs.

Seasonal highlights include the sightings of larger marine creatures. From November to May, diving enthusiasts may encounter various shark species, including the nurse shark, which are more prevalent during cooler months. Sea turtles, such as the green and loggerhead turtles, are also more commonly seen nesting along Senegal's beaches, particularly from June to October. Manta rays occasionally grace the waters, although sightings are less predictable, adding an element of surprise to any dive adventure in this region.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 200

Moray Eel

583 Sightings
J
37
F
34
M
29
A
22
M
27
J
37
J
47
A
75
S
76
O
50
N
103
D
46

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 27

Barracuda

57 Sightings
J
3
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
6
J
4
A
4
S
8
O
8
N
15
D
7

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 300

Octopus

44 Sightings
J
3
F
2
M
4
A
4
M
1
J
6
J
3
A
9
S
3
O
4
N
1
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Angelfish

440 Sightings
J
39
F
31
M
26
A
18
M
21
J
39
J
27
A
41
S
51
O
54
N
70
D
23

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 85

Surgeonfish

423 Sightings
J
36
F
26
M
29
A
17
M
26
J
37
J
25
A
38
S
39
O
45
N
69
D
36

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Butterfly Fish

351 Sightings
J
33
F
23
M
13
A
14
M
12
J
36
J
21
A
32
S
34
O
48
N
57
D
28

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 100

Parrotfish

335 Sightings
J
24
F
19
M
8
A
10
M
15
J
30
J
23
A
34
S
27
O
47
N
61
D
37

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 80

Stingrays

324 Sightings
J
29
F
18
M
13
A
9
M
14
J
18
J
21
A
24
S
46
O
36
N
67
D
29

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Pufferfish

215 Sightings
J
16
F
13
M
7
A
13
M
13
J
19
J
14
A
29
S
30
O
22
N
25
D
14

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 20

Porcupinefish

201 Sightings
J
30
F
10
M
18
A
5
M
7
J
23
J
16
A
10
S
10
O
24
N
29
D
19

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

Soldierfish

182 Sightings
J
13
F
12
M
4
A
6
M
9
J
20
J
20
A
12
S
16
O
26
N
28
D
16

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Trumpetfish

157 Sightings
J
9
F
12
M
8
A
3
M
10
J
16
J
11
A
23
S
16
O
16
N
23
D
10

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Grouper/Basslets

147 Sightings
J
14
F
12
M
9
A
4
M
4
J
14
J
13
A
26
S
12
O
7
N
25
D
7

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 350

Damselfish

118 Sightings
J
12
F
5
M
10
A
4
M
3
J
3
J
10
A
20
S
20
O
9
N
10
D
12

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Scorpionfish

115 Sightings
J
15
F
10
M
8
A
3
M
7
J
6
J
7
A
19
S
14
O
10
N
10
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3000

Nudibranch

102 Sightings
J
24
F
3
M
1
A
6
M
10
J
8
J
1
A
1
S
17
O
3
N
12
D
16

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 7000

Crab

100 Sightings
J
17
F
3
M
5
A
8
M
5
J
9
J
6
A
13
S
15
O
6
N
7
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

Jackfish

99 Sightings
J
6
F
1
M
1
A
1
M
7
J
11
J
14
A
8
S
17
O
5
N
19
D
9

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

Triggerfish

78 Sightings
J
8
F
3
M
2
A
1
M
3
J
6
J
6
A
8
S
10
O
9
N
10
D
12

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

Electric Ray

77 Sightings
J
12
F
6
M
7
A
2
M
5
J
9
J
8
A
6
S
16
O
4
N
2
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 120

Cuttlefish

76 Sightings
J
17
F
1
M
3
A
2
M
3
J
5
J
9
A
17
S
2
O
10
N
4
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 150

Sweetlips and Grunts

72 Sightings
J
10
F
0
M
4
A
3
M
2
J
4
J
5
A
6
S
8
O
11
N
8
D
11

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

Squirrelfish

63 Sightings
J
8
F
6
M
0
A
4
M
3
J
8
J
5
A
6
S
5
O
11
N
3
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Cornetfish

61 Sightings
J
11
F
7
M
0
A
2
M
4
J
11
J
6
A
8
S
5
O
3
N
4
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 110

Snapper

53 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
3
A
0
M
1
J
12
J
6
A
3
S
4
O
10
N
5
D
7

Common Seahorse

34 Sightings
J
5
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
3
N
18
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Goatfish

30 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
5
A
2
M
3
J
1
J
0
A
2
S
3
O
7
N
4
D
3