"Bakau's neighbour, Cape Point, is a friendly resort where a great beach and relaxed atmosphere go hand-in-hand with spectacular scenery.'
Just up the road from Bakau, Cape Point is a small, friendly resort in a quiet, picturesque location where the mouth of the River Gambia meets the Atlantic Ocean. The resort has a lovely stretch of beach with soft, white sands. And the atmosphere is generally pretty laid back, with just a few low-rise hotels, some beach bars and cafes, a handful of restaurants and a small craft market. An added bonus are the eye-catching views, both out to sea and across the river to the country's northern territory beyond, making this a spectacular setting to enjoy a drink before dinner or an early evening stroll. If you want to immerse yourself a bit further into traditional Gambian culture, it's less than a mile to the old town of Bakau, with its clapboard houses and tin-roofed, shanty-style shacks. Attractions there include the colourful local market, the Botanical Gardens and the Kachikaly Crocodile Pool, where you can safely get 'up close and personal' with one of Africa's most fearsome yet fascinating creatures. A little further south is the resort of Fajara, where, believe it or not, there's a pretty good 18-hole golf course, albeit with 'browns' instead of 'greens'. It's also got a swimming pool, squash, tennis, badminton and billiards, not to mention the traditional 'nineteenth hole' facilities of bar and restaurant.
Find the cheapest late deals to Cape Point leaving in the next six weeks.
Cape Point hotels and apartments
Our hotels and apartments in Cape Point include Sunbeach Hotel And Resort.
More Gambia holiday destinations
Looking for holidays in Gambia? Our Gambia holiday destinations include Bakau, Banjul, Bijilo, Cape Point, Kololi, Kotu and Serrekunda.
Beaches
The beach at Cape Point is wide and long. It's usually fairly quiet and you'll always be able to find a secluded spot, whether you choose to unroll your towel by the warm, azure waters or beneath a palm tree lazily swaying in the cooling sea breeze. Discreet measures have been put into place here to ensure the gorgeous sand isn't diminished by erosion.
Eating out
Most eating and drinking is done in the hotels, where you'll find good quality restaurants serving both traditional and international dishes. Alternatively, there's a Chinese restaurant in the resort and a couple of other eating establishments not far away. Indulge your tastebuds in some local flavour while you're here - try 'benachin' (literally translated as 'one pot') - a delicious stew made with chicken, beef and vegetables. The national drink is 'palm wine', a potent juice fermented using the sap from palm trees.
Nightlife
The hotels have some good discos and live entertainment. Cape Point also has a few clubs and even a casino should you be feeling lucky. Clubbing in the Gambia is not limited to the young - people of all ages from children to the elderly enjoy a good night out and no-one feels out of place on the dance floor.
Shopping
There's a well equipped supermarket for all the practicalities, and also a wonderful market for a more cultural shopping experience. Wood carving is popular and makes a timeless souvenir to take home with you. Choose from sculptures, musical instruments and boxes containing traditional board games. If you're prepared to haggle with the friendly artists, you can usually get a bargain.
Local information
Make time to visit the nearby Botanical Gardens - designed in colonial times and packed full of exotic treasures. Enjoy a picnic beneath the rare 'century palm' - so called because it flowers and reproduces only once a century. If you're quiet and still, you may even spot some of the bird life for which the Gambia is famous - perhaps a blue-breasted Kingfisher or an Egyptian Plover will provide some delightful music to accompany your picnic. To indulge in some Gambian culture, take a tour around Banjul - the country's intriguing capital with museums and markets waiting to welcome you.
Location
12km south of Banjul
Transfer time
45 minutes
Recommended
