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Pro
Great getaway from the city and very interesting
Con
You get hassled to buy everything!
In a nutshell
I loved this Island, but would not want to go through Dakar to get there again!
hannette Says: One of the main attractions of the island is the former Slave House. Actually not that many slaves were 'processed' from here, more from St. Louis up to the north and Gambia up to the south. But it remains a testimony of the horrors of the slave trade throughout the Atlantic...
SirRichard Says: At the north part of the island there is a slope with an old castle, from where you can have a nice view of the island and even see Dakar on the horizon. You can go there walking.
SirRichard Says: This is the house where the slaves were kept before the ships took them to America. Nowadays it¡s a museum where you can visit the cells and the gate through which they were introduced into the ship.
MikeAtSea Says: On the highest point of Goree Island one can find the Slavery Monument. The Monument was built in the shape of a ship commemorating all those who perished or were forced to leave the African continent on the voyage to the new world.
MikeAtSea Says: The former lavish quarters of the slave house traders are in vast contrasts to the cramped cells of where the slaves were held. Today one can find an interesting exhibition that shows pictures, maps and other items explaining in detail what the slave trade entailed.
The Slave House - Museum Curator
MikeAtSea Says: I have attended many museum visits but none was as powerfull and to the point as the one of the curator of the Slave House. If you head across on the 10 am ferry he conducts a tour just after 10:30 am and will give you in few words the entire history of the slave trade.
World Heritage Site - Goree Island
MikeAtSea Says: The former slave island of Goree is a World Heritage site, just in the bay of Dakar. Here it the grave history is preserved under the protecions of the UNESCO ensuring that for centuries to come one of the worse chapters of African history does not go by forgotten.
MikeAtSea Says: This was one of the many slave houses along the West African coast. Due to its close proximity to the New World many slaves were shipped from here. Each load accommodated 150 - 300 slaves from all over Senegal as well as other West African countries, such as The Gambia,...
SirRichard Says: If you arrive to the island early, you'll have to wait till 10:30 when most of the museums open. A good place (I think the only one) to have breakfast then is the Hostellerie du Chevallier de Boufflers, the red house at the right as you go down the ferry.There you get a huge...
SirRichard Says: By the beach, right where the ferry is, you will find many terraces serving fresh fish and other local specialities.
hannette Says: The ferry goes about every 1 to 2 hours, takes about 30min and is very reliable and safe.It costs about 5000 CFA (€7,5 / $10) for an adult and 2000 CFA for a child.
flynboxes Says: The ferry to Goree takes about 30 min or so either way. There are basically two identical boats that make the trip from Dakar. Don't know if you can see the sched in the pic but the boats fun every 30 min to an hour during the day.
SirRichard Says: There is a ferry that goes almost constantly from Dakar to Goree and retour. It starts at 6:15 and stops at midnight, so you won't have problems in getting there and back.If you wanna visit the museums... they open at 10:30, so don't take any ferry before 9:30 unless you...
MikeAtSea Says: The only way to reach Goree Island is by ferry. Ferries leave the port of Dakar in regular intervals and take about 15 minutes to cross the bay of Dakar. Fees are around CAF 5000.
Helpfulness
One of Goree's specialities is the local paintings, colourful and very "african". You will find many street stalls on the way up to the Castle. Bargain always. In some stalls you can see the artists doing their work.
What to pay: Much cheaper here than in Dakar
Written Sep 28, 2008
Helpfulness
I wouldn't say that this is something that I approve of exactly, but on this continent... I can understand! These boys/men are swimming around the bay when you arrive. They will be shouting for you to throw money at them! When you do, they dive down like there is no tomorrow!!! They will get it too!
I think it is dangerous because of the propellers, but at least they are keeping cool!
Written Mar 18, 2005
Helpfulness
One thing I will say is that there are a lot of beggars on this island. Most of them are not of the bad pressure type. Wat is truly sad is to see the illnesses that they are afflicted with. Most of them do not live on the island, but will come over from the mainland because of the tourists. I have been one to give a little to some and none to others, but the real hassle comes from the vendors! If you like to haggle, you have come to the right place, but to tell ya the truth, their art is usually worth more than they ask.
Written Mar 18, 2005
Helpfulness
As this is a tourists spot it might attract people who don't necessarily have good intentions. As an innocent girl I was quite easily trapped into the sweet talks of some locals who are kind at first sight but actually want something from you.
Fun Alternatives: Remain calm but keep your distance.
Written Mar 4, 2013
Helpfulness
Being a small island, all streets at Goree are stone cobbled and there are no cars in the island. So there is a nice relaxed atmosphere, and you can go anywhere just walking.
Written Sep 28, 2008
Helpfulness
Favorite thing: After walking around the island and visiting the museum make a stop at the beach. It's nice to relax and take a dip before taking the ferry back to Dakar.
Updated Nov 5, 2002
Goree Island is less than four kilometres away from Dakar. It is located in the middle of the natural harbour formed by the south coast of the Cap- Vert Peninsula. It thus represents a safe anchorage....
This was the house of the slaves with the "Door of NO Return." The slaves were taken down the hallway in the picture and that was the door they called it. They would be lead out to the ships and...
Goree, an oasis in the middle of the sea
This is a tiny island just 45 minutes away from Dakar. It is widely known for being tha harbour from where the slaves for America left the african coast. Nevertheless, I didn't come here to see the......
The whole island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since the island is very small (about 900m on 350m) it is pedestrians only: no cars on the island.
A must see island. Discovered by the Dutch in 1440. The island is immediately made by all european colonizers as slave market. The system is that dutch, portuguese, spanish, dutch and english all...
Build your own Ile de Goree page
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