What is the weather like in Dakar in January?

Expect temperatures between 20°C and 27°C with 1% average rain probability and about 8 hours of sunshine daily.

What is the weather like in Dakar in January?

Dakar in January scores 66/100 based on 30 years of climate data. Solid choice for most travelers.

Who should visit Dakar in January?

January in Dakar is ideal for: Families with children, Outdoor enthusiasts, Photographers, Cultural tourists, Honeymoon couples.

Dakar Weather in January | 30-Year Forecast

Avg High

27°C

Hottest around day 1

Avg Low

20°C

Coolest around day 21

Rainy Days

0days

1% avg rain chance

Sunshine

8hrs/day

Winter season

Sea Temperature in January

Coastal Waters(Ocean)

22.2°C

Monthly Average

Water Feel

☀️Warm

Perfect for swimming and water sports

Swim Rating

✅Excellent for swimming

Based on average sea surface temperature

Body of Water

Coastal Waters

Ocean

Dakar coastline

Essential Travel Info for Dakar

🗓️ Best Time to Visit 📖 Travel Guide 🍴 Food Guide

Currency

XOF

Fr West African CFA franc

Language

French

Driving

Right side

Safety

High Safety

GPI: 1.916

Travel Intelligence

Exclusive flight analytics & health data for Dakar

Smart Flight Estimator

Airport-to-Airport Logistics

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Flight Connectivity Analysis

Airport traffic data & seasonal patterns

Remote

14/ 100

Traffic Index

Off the beaten path

Peak Daily Arrivals

slots per day

Peak

Aug

Low

Jun

Monthly Traffic Distribution

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Traffic Level

Low Season

Key Connections

Casablanca Mohammed V (CMN)

Abidjan Port Bouet (ABJ)

Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)

Conakry (CKY)

Lomé -Tokoin (LFW)

Health & Safety Advisory

CDC travel health recommendations

11 Recommendations

COVID-19

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please seeYour COVID-19 Vaccinationfor more information.

Chikungunya

All travelers should take steps to prevent mosquito bites. Chikungunya vaccination is generally not recommended. Travelers who wish to consider vaccination can visit “What to consider before traveling” on thechikungunya vaccinespage to learn more.

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Senegal.Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.Travelers allergic to a vaccine component should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, are immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers of all ages traveling to Senegal.

Malaria

CDC recommends that travelers going to Senegal take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.Transmission areasAllDrug resistanceChloroquineSpeciesP. falciparum(primarily)P. malariae,P. ovale, andP. vivax(less commonly)Recommended chemoprophylaxisAtovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, tafenoquine2Updated April 23, 2025See footnotes

Measles

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according toCDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.

+5 more

Source: CDC Travelers' Health

View Complete Health Guide

Is January a Good Time to Visit Dakar?

👍Solid choice for most travelers(66/100)

Short Answer

January perfect for Dakar's beaches - 22.2°C water temperature, 27°C days, minimal 1% rain. Book beachfront early as this is peak coastal season.

Decision Factors

Vaccinations required

Yellow Fever

Rough sea conditions

1.59m average wave height - Surfers Only

Excellent dry conditions

Only 1% rain probability - ideal for outdoor activities

Pleasant swimming conditions

22.2°C sea temperature

Health precautions needed

Be aware of: Leptospirosis, Schistosomiasis, African Tick-Bite Fever

Comfortable humidity levels

54% humidity - pleasant conditions

Good For

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
Families with children
Comfortable 27.4°C temperatures and low 1% rain risk
🥾
Outdoor enthusiasts
Ideal hiking conditions: 27.4°C, 1% rain chance
📸
Photographers
10h sunshine, 56% clear skies for golden hour shots
🏛️
Cultural tourists
Comfortable conditions for exploring museums and sites
💑
Honeymoon couples
Wedding score 100/100 with romantic weather conditions

Who Should Avoid

Suitable for most traveler types

"According to 30YearWeather's analysis of 30 years of NASA POWER satellite data,Dakar in January averages 27°C with 1% precipitation probability."

📊 Source: 30YearWeather.com🛰️ Data: NASA POWER (1991-2021)View Methodology →

Frequently Asked Questions: Dakar in January

What are the temperatures in Dakar in January?

Daytime highs average 27°C, nights drop to 20°C. Temperatures remain fairly consistent.

How many rainy days in Dakar in January?

Expect around 0 days with measurable rainfall. Rain is unlikely to disrupt plans.

What to wear in Dakar in January?

Comfortable casual wear with a light jacket for evenings.

Is January peak season in Dakar?

This is typically peak season with higher prices. Book 2-3 months ahead.

Dakar Weather in January