Magdalen Islands, Archipelago in Dakar, Senegal.
The Magdalen Islands form a small archipelago of uninhabited islands off the coast of Dakar, characterized by steep cliffs carved by ocean erosion and surrounded by rich marine ecosystems that support diverse coastal habitats and wildlife populations.
French naturalist Michel Adanson visited the islands in 1749 and documented a large baobab tree bearing carvings from mariners dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries, including marks attributed to Prince Henry the Navigator and André Thevet.
Local Senegalese communities have historically relied on the surrounding waters for fishing and maritime activities, maintaining traditional practices tied to the sea that continue to shape the cultural identity of coastal populations near Dakar today.
Visitors can reach the islands by boat from Dakar, and access is regulated to protect nesting seabirds and fragile ecosystems, with most visits limited to scientific research and guided conservation tours authorized by park authorities.
Sarpan Island, also called Île aux Serpents, hosts breeding colonies of red-billed tropicbirds, white-breasted cormorants, and bridled terns, making it a significant site for ornithological observation and seabird conservation efforts in West Africa.
Location: Dakar
Inception: 1976
Part of: Îles des Madeleines National Park
GPS coordinates: 14.65374,-17.47108
Latest update: November 28, 2025 15:21
Dakar brings together various sites between historical heritage and the Atlantic Ocean. The Senegalese capital features several monuments such as the African Memorial Cathedral of 1929 and the African Renaissance Monument, 52 meters tall. The Théodore Monod Museum of African Art displays 9,000 artifacts from West African cultures, while Gorée Island hosts the Slave House documenting the Atlantic slave trade. Traditional markets like Kermel and Tilène offer fish, spices, and crafts in buildings dating from the early 20th century. The coast offers several points of interest along the 13-kilometer-long Corniche. Pointe des Almadies marks the western tip of the African continent with its rock formations facing the Atlantic and seafood restaurants. Hann Park spans 60 hectares with West African flora and fauna. Between colonial architecture, natural spaces, and cultural institutions, the city presents various locations to explore the history and culture of Senegal.
Museum of Black Civilizations
4.7 km
Cinéma Sandaga
4 km
Dakar Grand Mosque
4.1 km
Marché Tilène
3.9 km
Dakar station
4.7 km
Our Lady of Victories Cathedral, Dakar
3.8 km
Place du Souvenir africain
4.3 km
Porte du Troisième millénaire
3.1 km
IFAN Museum of African Arts
3.7 km
Monument Demba et Dupont
4.7 km
Institut français Sénégal
4.1 km
Grand Théâtre National de Dakar
4.7 km
Henriette-Bathily Women's Museum
4.3 km
Village Artisanal de Soumbédioune
2.9 km
Îles des Madeleines National Park
432 m
Centre culturel Blaise Senghor
5.4 km
Primature
4.2 km
Galleria nazionale di Dakar
4.9 km
Marché Kermel
4.9 km
Place de indépendance
4.6 km
Théâtre National Daniel Sorano
3.7 km
Palais du Président de la Republique du Senegal
4.3 km
Musée Léopold Sédar Senghor
4.7 km
Musée des Forces Armées Sénégalaises
3.5 km
Grande mosquée Cheikh Oumar al Foutiyou Tall
3.2 km
Place du Tirailleur Sénégalais
4.7 km
Mosquée El Hadji Oumar Kane
3.5 km
Route de la Corniche Ouest
3 kmReviews
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