Kayar

Kayar is a coastal fishing town about 60 km north of Dakar in the Thiès region, with a population of roughly 33,000 as of the 2023 census. It is Senegal's third-largest fishing centre, known for its fleet of colorfully painted wooden pirogues, and is notable among Senegalese fishing ports for a degree of community self-regulation — local rules restrict juvenile-fish catches and limit purse-seine operators to one fishing session a day. Fish stocks in the area have nonetheless declined sharply over the past decade. Kayar was also, in the mid-2000s, one of the main departure points for migrants attempting the sea crossing to Spain's Canary Islands.

By Plane

Dakar Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS IATA) is the nearest major airport, with onward connections by road.

By Car / Road

Kayar is reached by paved road from Dakar (about 60 km) and from Thiès, the regional capital.

The town is walkable, with the fishing harbour and beach at its center.

• The fishing harbour, where hundreds of pirogues (traditional wooden fishing boats) land their catch, busiest during the high fishing season from November to June.

• Watch the pirogue fleet return with the day's catch at the harbour.

• Thiès, the regional capital, offers markets, transport connections, and accommodation.
• Dakar lies about 60 km to the south.