The month in detail
What to expect in May
May is peak dry season in Dakar. The air is warm and humidity more bearable than in the rainy season. Rain is virtually absent (0% of days) — ideal for planning without a backup. This is one of the best times of year to visit Dakar.
May ranks 5 out of 12 months in Dakar.
This month's conditions
What it's like in May
UV index
9 · very high
protection essential
Feels like
muggy at times
18°
Sea
23°C
pleasant for swimming
Daylight
12.7h of daylight
Air quality
poor
AQI 103
Compare
Is May the right month?
The best month in Dakar is June (9.4/10), 0.3 pt higher than May.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Dakar
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
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Flights
Multi-airline comparator
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🎟️ Activities & tours · Dakar
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a tropical stay.
Country · Senegal
🗣️LanguageFrench
💶CurrencyFranc CFA (CFA)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘModerate · 3/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTropical
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthOctober · 31°C
❄️Coolest monthMarch · 24°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘAugust · 32%
🏝️ Tropical stay
🌞Dry season ⓘMay → Sep
🌧️Wet season ⓘDec → Mar
🌀Cyclones ⓘSeason Nov-Apr
Explore
Other destinations in May
If May doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Dakar ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
SenegalTropical climate with a 9.4 → 5.5 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
14.69°N · 17.44°W
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Dakar?
June is the best month with 28.0°C highs, 23.0°C lows, 8.4h of sunshine and 2.0% rainy days. The months of June & December offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Dakar get in June?
Dakar averages 8.4 sunshine hours per day in June. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 9.1/10.
What is the rainiest month in Dakar?
August is the most unfavourable month with August has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Dakar in June?
In June, overnight lows reach 23.0°C, while afternoon highs average 28.0°C.
Is Dakar good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Dakar scores 8.9/10 on average — Decent period conditions for cultural visits.. The best month overall remains June with a score of 9.1/10.
When should you avoid Dakar?
August is the most difficult month to visit Dakar, with August has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Can you swim in Dakar in May?
In May, the sea averages 23°C in Dakar: pleasant for swimming. Swimming is pleasant without a wetsuit.
Do you need sun protection in Dakar in May?
The average UV index reaches 9 in May in Dakar (very high), with about 12.7h of daylight. Protection essential.