Surf Dakar — Copacabana × Virage House
Surfing Dakar

Copacabana Surf Village × Virage House · Dakar, Sénégal

Surf
Dakar.

Where waves meet home.

Copacabana Surf Village × Virage House
As Seen In Condé Nast Traveler BBC Brut Travel Noire NY Times

01 — The Destination


Why Dakar?

Africa's last great surf secret.

At the westernmost tip of Africa, the Dakar peninsula is a geological anomaly — a swell magnet catching North Atlantic, South Atlantic, and tropical energy simultaneously. Over 21 distinct breaks within 30 minutes of each other. No crowds. No hype. Pure ocean.

Warm water year-round (22–27°C), consistent offshore winds, and waves for every level — from long forgiving beach breaks to punchy reef barrels. It is one of the most diverse surf zones on the planet. And almost no one knows it.

But what makes a Dakar trip unforgettable is what happens beyond the water. The city pulses with mbalax rhythms, Thiéboudienne simmering in open-air kitchens, painted pirogues hauled up on volcanic rock beaches. Culture here is not a backdrop — it is the entire experience.

Ocean view from Virage

The Atlantic from your terrace · Virage House

21+
Surf Breaks · Dakar Peninsula
22°
Min. Water Temp · Year Round
360°
Swell Window · N, W & S Atlantic
0
Crowds at the Virage Break

02 — The Partnership


Two local icons.
One complete trip.

This package brings together two of Dakar's most beloved locally-owned ventures — sitting five minutes apart, both built on the same beach, both rooted in the same spirit of Teraanga.

Copacabana Surf Village is where you surf, eat, and connect with the real Dakar surf community. Virage House is where you come home to — an exclusive oceanfront residency with your terrace looking directly over the Copa break. Together, they are the complete Dakar experience.

Copa Surf Village

Copacabana Surf Village · Plage du Virage

Partner One

Copacabana
Surf Village

Founded by Babs, Copa is the beating heart of Dakar's surf scene — a zero-waste beachfront village with a legendary restaurant, experienced local instructors, and a community of surfers who have been riding these waves since childhood.

Surf Lessons & Guiding+
Zero-Waste Restaurant+
Board Rental & Equipment+
Surf Trips & Events+
Surfrider Programs+

Partner Two

Virage
House

An exclusive, locally curated Dakar residency. This 2,323 sq ft Afro-chic apartment sits steps from the Atlantic — from its ocean-view terrace, you can watch swells roll into the Copa break. Three distinct rooms, full kitchen, private chef on request.

Living Room Endless Summer Room Touki Bouki Room Ocean View

Touki Bouki · Endless Summer · Paris-Dakar · Ocean Terrace

Babacar Thiaw

03 — Your Host

Babacar

"Babs" Thiaw

Born and raised on Plage de Virage, Babs began surfing at six years old alongside his father. What started as teaching surf lessons to fund his studies grew into something much bigger.

Today he is the owner of Copacabana Surf Village — the beloved surf and restaurant hub his father first opened in 1978 — and President of Surfrider Foundation Senegal. He brings contagious energy whether he is behind the bar, leading surf sessions, or organizing beach cleanups.

When you stay at Virage House and surf with Copa, you are not renting an apartment and booking a lesson. You are part of Babs' world.

Surf Since Age 6 · Plage de Virage
Founded Copacabana Surf Village · 1978
President Surfrider Foundation Senegal
Languages English · French · Wolof

"Exploring with Babacar was not only surfing a mindblowingly diverse playground of waves — it was stepping into his world. His commitment to community and sustainability was deeply inspiring."

— Chris, United States · via Thermal Travel

04 — The Packages


Choose your wave.

Three ways to experience the partnership — each designed around your pace, depth, and level of immersion. All packages accommodate 2–6 guests and can be customized.

Teranga

The
Welcome

5 Nights · 2–4 Guests

From$1,800/ person
  • 5 nights at Virage House (shared occupancy)
  • Daily guided surf sessions at Copa
  • 3 dinners at Copa Restaurant
  • Airport transfer arrival & departure
  • Board rental included
  • Morning coffee & breakfast at the house
  • Curated local market visit

Ideal for couples or small groups. Beginner-friendly — Babs' crew will have you standing by day two.

Babs' Private Wave

The
Bespoke

7–10 Nights · Up to 6 Guests

From$3,500/ person
  • Full exclusive Virage House access
  • Personal guiding with Babs daily
  • Private chef at the house (daily)
  • Multi-day surf safari — Petite Côte & St. Louis
  • Reserved sunset dinner at Copa
  • N'Gor boat trip + secret spots
  • Surfrider Foundation community visit
  • Custom cultural program — art, music, market
  • All transfers & logistics fully handled

Bespoke pricing varies with duration & group. Meals, add-ons, and flights quoted separately.

All packages can be customized — add nights, adjust surf intensity, include yoga or photography sessions, extend cultural programming. Prices quoted per person based on shared double occupancy at Virage House. Solo travelers and full private buyouts quoted on request.

05 — Sample Itinerary


Surfers at the break

Endless Swell:
7 Nights.

This is the signature experience. Every day built around the swell — what is breaking, where Babs wants to take you, what the ocean has to give. Below is a typical week. Nothing is fixed. Everything is flexible.

What's Included

✓  7 nights at Virage House (full property) ✓  Daily surf guiding with Babs' crew ✓  5 dinners at Copacabana Restaurant ✓  N'Gor Island boat trip ✓  Gorée Island cultural day ✓  Airport transfers & all logistics ✓  Board & wetsuit rental
01

Arrival

Touch Down, Drop In

Airport pickup. Transfer to Virage House — terrace, ocean view, settle in. Evening walk to Copa for dinner: grilled barracuda, bissap juice, the first taste of Dakar. Early night before the session.

Airport TransferVirage House Check-InCopa Welcome Dinner
02

First Session

Into the Water at Virage

Dawn patrol — Babs' crew meets you at Copa at first light. Read the ocean, pick your board, enter the lineup. Le Virage break is forgiving and long for beginners, punchy and hollow for intermediates. Afternoon: free time, Nespresso on the terrace.

Guided Morning SessionBoard FittingLocal Market
03

N'Gor Island

Endless Summer Territory

Pirogue to N'Gor Island — the right-hander Bruce Brown filmed in 1966. Runs for hundreds of meters. Sessions by boat, multiple spots. Evening: bonfire on the Copa terrace with the local crew. Thiéboudienne under the stars.

Boat TripN'Gor RightCopa Bonfire
04

Culture Day

Gorée Island & the City

Rest your arms. Ferry to Gorée Island (UNESCO). Lunch. Afternoon: Dakar's art galleries and the Plateau. Evening: mbalax live music if timing aligns.

Gorée FerryArt & CultureLive Music
05

Secret Spot

Babs Takes You Off the Map

No itinerary — Babs reads the swell and picks the spot. Could be Ouakam reef at low tide, Club Med's hidden right, or a break accessible only with a local. Optional: Surfrider beach cleanup with local youth.

Local Knowledge SessionOff-Map BreaksSurfrider Community
06

Progression

Push Your Level

Full coaching day at the best spot for your progression. Video analysis available. Afternoon free session. Sunset on the Virage terrace. Last dinner at Copa: order everything.

Coaching SessionFree SurfFarewell Copa Dinner
07

Departure

One Last Wave

Morning session if your flight allows. One more time in the lineup. Pack up, say goodbye to the crew. Transfer to the airport. Dakar has a way of making departure harder every time.

Morning SessionAirport Transfer

06 — Where You Sleep


Three rooms.
One ocean view.

Virage House has three distinct bedrooms, each with its own character — named after iconic West African and surf cultural touchstones. Every room has a private en-suite, plush bedding, and A/C. From the ocean-view terrace, you can watch the Copa break.

Touki Bouki Room

Room 01

Touki Bouki

Inspired by the iconic 1973 Senegalese film. Bold, monochromatic elegance layered with original Malian textures and striking black-and-white patterns.

Standard · 55,000 XOF / night

Endless Summer Room

Room 02

Endless Summer

Named after the famous surf documentary set on Ngor Island. Earthy tones, natural materials, organic linens, and subtle surf photography.

Standard · 55,000 XOF / night

Living Room

Room 03 · Ocean View

Paris-Dakar

The deluxe room — sophisticated, forest green ceiling, curated art, and direct ocean views. A sanctuary for the modern nomad.

Deluxe · 70,000 XOF / night

Virage House Amenities

Layout

2,323 Sq Ft
3 Bedrooms
3.5 Baths
Full Kitchen
Living Room

Kitchen

Breakfast Bar
Nespresso Machine
Fridge & Freezer
Oven & Microwave
Full Cookware

Space

Ocean View Terrace
High Speed Internet
A/C All Rooms
Security System
Generator

Services

Airport Transfer
Private Chef / Cook
Laundry
Surf Lessons & Boards
Curated Experiences

07 — Good to Know


The details.

When to Come

Peak SeasonNov–April. North Atlantic swells, offshore winds, 22–25°C water.
Off-SeasonMay–Oct. South Atlantic keeps it running. Ideal for beginners, fewer travelers.
Sweet SpotOct–Nov & Feb–Mar. Consistent swell, perfect weather, manageable crowds.

Getting There

AirportBlaise Diagne (DSS). Direct from Paris CDG, New York JFK, Washington IAD.
TransferIncluded in all packages. ~45 min airport to Virage House.
VisaNo visa required for USA, EU, UK, Canada for stays up to 90 days.

Surf Levels

BeginnersLe Virage beach break + Copa's instructors — small, rolling, forgiving.
IntermediatePunchy beach peaks, reef breaks, daily coaching available.
AdvancedN'Gor Right, Ouakam, reef passes — Babs knows which spots are firing.

Included / Not Included

IncludedAccommodation, surf sessions, board rental, listed meals, transfers, excursions.
Not IncludedInternational flights. Unlisted meals. Travel insurance (required).
Board RentalIncluded. Proceeds support Surfrider Foundation Senegal youth programs.
Thiéboudienne at Copa

Thiéboudienne · Copacabana Surf Village

Surfing at Copa

In the lineup · Le Virage, Dakar

On sustainability: Copacabana is Senegal's first zero-waste surf restaurant — no plastic straws, no single-use bottles, composted food waste, locally sourced ingredients. Every trip supports Surfrider Foundation Senegal's ocean programs.
Surfers

Copacabana Surf Village × Virage House · Dakar, Sénégal

The wave
is waiting.

Surf. Eat. Party.

Dakar doesn't get discovered. It gets remembered. Come for the surf. Leave with something you can't quite explain to people who haven't been.

Phone / WhatsApp

+221 77 519 7770

Email

thiawbabacar7@gmail.com

Instagram

@babscopa
@copacabanasurfvillage