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Ocean Calling

Ocean Atlas · Africa

Africa

Western Sahara

A disputed Atlantic desert coast near the last big Mediterranean monk seal colony.

Mediterranean monk seal
Mediterranean monk seal, found in the waters of the wider region · Photo: Fábio Olmos, iNaturalist, cc-by
Story only

Story only, for now. We love learning about this place and its ocean, so we share its story here and do not sell trips yet. Checked by Ocean Calling on 6 Oct 2026. Sources: Foreign travel advice Western Sahara, UK FCDO; Dakhla Bay IMMA factsheet, IUCN Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force; Dakhla area IBA, BirdLife DataZone (search listing; page did not load content).

Why: Dakhla Bay on the Atlantic coast is recognised by the IUCN marine mammal habitat network as an Important Marine Mammal Area, home to a small resident group of bottlenose dolphins and the northernmost Atlantic humpback dolphins, a Critically Endangered species found only along Africa's Atlantic coast. Further south, the Cap Blanc peninsula and the Aguerguer coast hold one of the last strongholds of the Critically Endangered Mediterranean monk seal. These are fragile animals that need quiet, so we share their story and give them all the space they ask for, celebrating them through the work of scientists and conservationists.

⚠️ Official travel advice is a separate question, and it differs by passport. EU citizens or US citizens may be advised against travelling there, so please check your own government’s website before you plan.

Why Western Sahara

Dakhla is known for kite and wind sports, not for wildlife trips. The Cap Blanc peninsula, shared with Mauritania, holds the last large Mediterranean monk seal breeding colony, which grew from about 100 animals to more than 350. The UK advises against all travel to parts of the territory. This is story only and we do not go.

Conservation-led. Ocean Calling guests never chase, touch or bait animals.

W. SaharaDem. Rep. CongoChadBrazilFranceSenegalMaliMauritaniaBeninNigerNigeriaCameroonTogoGhanaCôte d'IvoireGuineaGuinea-BissauLiberiaSierra LeoneBurkina FasoCentral African Rep.GambiaTunisiaAlgeriaSpainMoroccoLibyaCap Blanc peninsula, Western Sahara

When to go

Timing changes a lot from place to place. See each place below.

We share this place as a story so you can learn. There is no Ocean Calling trip.

Our ethics check

Can we travel here ethically?

Story only

We tell the story. We do not sell a trip here.

Checked 6 Oct 2026. Places change, so we look again every year.

Sources for this check
The story

Where in Western Sahara

We share these places as stories and research notes. We do not offer or sell trips here.

Cap Blanc peninsula

Story only

A remote peninsula shared with Mauritania, home to a recovering monk seal colony.

Animals

Animals recorded in Western Sahara

Tap an animal to learn how it lives, where it travels and how to meet it respectfully.

Mediterranean monk seal head above blue water, whiskers visibleMediterranean monk sealMonachus monachusSeen in 9 countries in the AtlasVulnerableCommon bottlenose dolphin swimming over a seagrass bedCommon bottlenose dolphinTursiops truncatusSeen in 89 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernTwo Atlantic humpback dolphin dorsal fins at the surface of calm water in Guinea-BissauAtlantic humpback dolphinSousa teusziiSeen in 13 countries in the AtlasCritically EndangeredHumpback whale swimming close with long pectoral finHumpback whaleMegaptera novaeangliaeSeen in 87 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernSperm whale mother raising her fluke beside her calf off DominicaSperm whalePhyseter macrocephalusSeen in 114 countries in the AtlasVulnerableLoggerhead turtle at the surface feeding on Portuguese man o' warLoggerhead turtleCaretta carettaSeen in 89 countries in the AtlasVulnerableShort-finned pilot whale surfacing off Tenerife with the island behindShort-finned pilot whaleGlobicephala macrorhynchusSeen in 43 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernPod of common dolphins surfacing in calm blue seaCommon dolphinDelphinus delphisSeen in 53 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernStriped dolphin leaping, dark flank stripe clearly visibleStriped dolphinStenella coeruleoalbaSeen in 43 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernHeavily spotted adult Atlantic spotted dolphin with young, AzoresAtlantic spotted dolphinStenella frontalisSeen in 22 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernClymene dolphins leaping low over choppy open waterClymene dolphinStenella clymeneSeen in 5 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernGreat cormorant perched on a branch, with white head plumes and a glossy blue-black backGreat cormorantPhalacrocorax carboSeen in 90 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernClose view of a northern gannet face, with pale blue eyes and a golden headNorthern gannetMorus bassanusSeen in 38 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernScopoli's shearwater skimming just above calm blue waterScopoli's shearwaterCalonectris diomedeaSeen in 37 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernGreat shearwater flying low over calm water, its reflection belowGreat shearwaterArdenna gravisSeen in 32 countries in the AtlasLeast Concern
Curious?

Why this is a story, not a trip

Read our ethics check above. If you would like to talk about it, Rocío is happy to explain.

Ask RocíoBack to the Ocean Atlas

Also in Africa
AngolaBeninCabo VerdeCameroonCôte d'IvoireDemocratic Republic of the CongoEquatorial GuineaGabonGambiaGhanaGuineaGuinea-BissauKenyaLiberiaMauritaniaMozambiqueNamibiaNigeriaRepublic of the CongoSaint HelenaSão Tomé and PríncipeSenegalSierra LeoneSouth AfricaTanzaniaTogo

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For partners

Based in Western Sahara?

We are always happy to hear from exceptional local operators, accommodation, conservation organisations and destination experts in Western Sahara. If your work fits responsible, small-group ocean travel, we would love to learn more.

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