Pointe Sarene holidays

Pointe Sarene holidays feel more like Caribbean getaways than African adventures – all the hotels here are pulled up to a best-in-class beach.

Senegal’s newest star

Pointe Sarene’s one of the freshest faces to join west Africa’s holiday scene, but it’s set to become one of the continent’s next big names. This sleepy fishing village – and its surrounding area – received a 150-million-pound tourism investment in the last decade. This hefty sum’s been spent on adding plenty of five-star beachfront hotels, over 200 luxury villas and a modern commercial centre to Pointe Sarene’s standout shorefront.

Sands to shout about

Everything in Pointe Sarene’s centred around the sand-carpeted coast. It’s dominated by one main belt – conveniently called Pointe Sarene Beach – which spreads out for just under six miles. The sandy section near the village centre comes with a scattering of traditional fishing boats and sea-view bars. Head south down the coast, meanwhile, and rows of shady palm trees take over the decorating duties, giving the place a real away-from-it-all feel.

Daytrips to Dakar

Senegal’s culture-soaked capital city – Dakar – is a two-hour drive away, putting it just within daytripping distance. It’s the biggest city in the country, and has been the big name in Senegal ever since the Portuguese set up shop here in the 15th century. During a visit, you can get to know the local culture in a handful of heritage museums, and sample Senegalese street food at the open-air markets – spicy roasted goat meat’s a popular pick in Dakar.