Ile de Goree Travel Guide

  Goree from the ferry
by SirRichard
 
  • Goree from the ferry
      Goree from the ferry
    by SirRichard
  • The harbour
      The harbour
    by SirRichard
  • Street in Goree
      Street in Goree
    by SirRichard
  • The beach Goree
      The beach Goree
    by SirRichard
  •   Off The Beaten Path
    by SirRichard
 

Explore Ile de Goree

Things to Do  

The Castle

The Castle, Ile de Goree

 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. 

Maison des Esclaves

Maison des Esclaves, Ile de Goree

 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. 

The Slavery Monument

The Slavery Monument, Ile de Goree

 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. 

The Slave House - Exhibition

The Slave House - Exhibition, Ile de Goree

 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

The Slave House - Museum Curator, Ile de Goree

 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

World Heritage Site - Goree Island, Ile de Goree

 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. 

The Slave House

The Slave House, Ile de Goree

 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,... 

The Slave House - Door of no return

The Slave House - Door of no return, Ile de Goree

 MikeAtSea Says:  This was the last stop all African slaves saw once they were shipped from Goree Island. Put in chains they were led over a wooden pier to the waiting sail boat. Those who jumped and swam away were either shot or eaten by sharks. For the African slaves this was the last time... 

Restaurants  

Breakfast at the Hostellerie

Breakfast at the Hostellerie, Ile de Goree

 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... 

Harbour terraces

Harbour terraces, Ile de Goree

 SirRichard Says:  By the beach, right where the ferry is, you will find many terraces serving fresh fish and other local specialities. 

Transportation  

The ferry

The ferry, Ile de Goree

 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. 

Ferry

Ferry, Ile de Goree

 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... 

Ferry to Goree Island

Ferry to Goree Island, Ile de Goree

 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. 

Taxi

Taxi, Ile de Goree

 adhitya Says:  Taxi in Senegal must be negotiated (when within Dakar city limit). Start your way from CAF 500 upward and be tough!! Work up per CAF 200. 

Shopping  

Art

Art, Ile de Goree

 SirRichard Says:  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. Much cheaper here than in Dakar 

Local Customs  

Throw money and they'll get it!!!

Throw money and they'll get it!!!, Ile de Goree

 africateach Says:  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... 

Warnings Or Dangers  

People

People, Ile de Goree

 africateach Says:  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... 

Off The Beaten Path  

No cars

No cars, Ile de Goree

 SirRichard Says:  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. 

Sports & Outdoors  

The beach

The beach, Ile de Goree

 SirRichard Says:  There is a nice beach to have a swim in Goree, in case you have some spare time before the ferry. 

Favorites  

Nice Beach

Nice Beach, Ile de Goree

 Weny Says:  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. 

The Place

Plan a Ile de Goree vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Ile de Goree locals

Experience Ile de Goree
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The People

 
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 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. 

 

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Top Ile de Goree Writers

1

Goree Island - Slave Island

MikeAtSea profile photo

 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.... 

2

The Escape from Dakar!

africateach profile photo

 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... 

3

Goree, an oasis in the middle of the sea

SirRichard profile photo

 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...... 

4

Goree Island

adhitya profile photo

 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... 

5

Ile de Goree

Weny profile photo

 Goree became notorious has a slave holding center for years during the slave trade. This was the last place many Africans saw in Africa. Many knowing their fate would jump from the cliffs surrounding... 

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