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Voykit pocket guide · Mauritania
Nouamghar
Half-day stop on the coast road between Nouakchott and Banc d'Arguin: see the Imraguen dolphin-fishing, walk the beach, then move on. Not a base.
Nouamghar is a small Imraguen fishing village 150 km north of Nouakchott, at the entrance to Cap Timiris and Banc d'Arguin National Park. Its main draw is the traditional dolphin-assisted fishing technique, a beach for swimming, and desert views over the Atlantic. Most travellers pass through for a few hours en route to the park or Nouadhibou.
- Country
- Mauritania
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- Avoid
- Jul–Sep (hot, some rain)
- Stay
- 0–1 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- MRU
- Money
- Currency is the Mauritanian ouguiya (MRU), redenominated in 2018 (1 new = 10 old; prices are sometimes still quoted in old ouguiya). Cards are accepted in very few places outside a handful of Nouakchott hotels; bring euros in cash to exchange.
- Daily spend
- Budget MRU 800–1,500 (check) · Mid MRU 1,500–3,000 (check) · High MRU 3,000+ (check) (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Mauritel, Mattel and Chinguitel sell SIMs in Nouakchott; passport needed.
- Emergency
- Police 17 · Fire 18
- Plugs
- Types C, E · 220 V · 50 Hz · Generators in desert auberges; bring a power bank.
- Tipping
- Driver or guide day: €5–10.; Cook on desert trip: €3–5 a day.
- Water
- Bottled only.
- Toilets
- Basic in auberges; the desert is the toilet on 4x4 days.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | MRU 30–50 |
| Simple meal (fish, rice) | MRU 200–400 |
| Guide for dolphin-fishing (half day) | MRU 1,000–2,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- NKC · Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport
- About 2.5 h drive south
Typical fares
- Nouakchott → Nouamghar (taxi/4×4)
- about MRU 10,000–15,000, 2.5 h (check)
- Nouamghar → Banc d'Arguin entrance
- about MRU 2,000–3,000, 30 min (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
On foot or by 4×4 along the beach. No public transport within the village.
See and do
Known for
- Imraguen dolphin-fishing
- Banc d'Arguin access
- Beach and whale skull
- Sunset over the Atlantic
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Banc d'Arguin National Park | 4×4 from Nouamghar, about 30 min to the park entrance | About 1 h |
| Nouakchott | Taxi or private car south on the coast road, about 2.5 h | About 2.5 h |
| Nouadhibou | 4×4 north on the coast road, about 3–4 h | About 3.5–4.5 h |
Sleep
- Nouamghar village
- Basic guesthouses; book ahead. Most visitors stay in Nouakchott or at Banc d'Arguin camps.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | السلام عليكمas-salamu alaykum |
| Thank you | شكراًshukran |
| How much? | بقداش؟bqaddash? |
| Yes / No | نعم / لاna'am / la |
| Please | من فضلكmin fadlik |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Tea: Accept all three glasses; avoid: Leaving before the third
- Dress: Cover arms and legs; avoid: Shorts in towns
- Hands: Right hand to eat and pass; avoid: Left hand
- Gender: Wait for women to offer a hand; avoid: Touching unrelated women
Scams and watch-outs
- No ATM in the village; bring cash (ouguiya or euros).
- Mobile coverage is patchy; download maps offline.
- The dolphin-fishing is a working tradition, not a show; timing depends on tides and fish runs.
Nouamghar is safe for day visits. The main risks are sun exposure, lack of services and driving on sand roads. Travel with a guide or driver who knows the area.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Nouamghar yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Imraguen dolphin-fishing
- Banc d'Arguin access
- Beach and whale skull
- Sunset over the Atlantic
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Nouamghar, revision 4287308 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4287308
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/nouamghar). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.