Sassandra

Sassandra sits where the river of the same name reaches the sea, a fishing town with a working harbour, a run of small coves along the coast either side of it, and the remains of a colonial-era commercial quarter including an old wharf and the residence known as the governor's house. Beaches to the east and west, including Poly and Batelebre, are the reason most people stop, and fishing pirogues work off all of them.

Background

Its Portuguese founders called the town Santo André. Later the British, and after them the French, operated it as a seaport for timber. Trade fell away in the 1960s once the port at San Pédro was finished, and fishing is now the main industry. Sassandra is the seat of its department and of the Gbôklé Region, and its sub-prefecture, made up of thirty eight villages, counted 87,945 people in 2021. The town has a lighthouse, Gaoulou National Park lies close by, and Sassandra Airport serves the area. Besides the main rains from April to July, a shorter and lighter wet spell falls between October and December.

Source: Wikipedia, "Sassandra"

What to look for

• The coves - a run of small beaches either side of the river mouth.
• The old wharf - the colonial commercial buildings along the waterfront.
• The fishing harbour - pirogues and the working catch landing.
• The river mouth - the Sassandra meeting the sea at the town.

When to go

November to March is the dry season and the most comfortable. The rains from April to July are heavy on this coast. The sea is rough and swimming should be judged carefully at any time.

Things to know

Currents on this coast are strong and there are no lifeguards. Colonial buildings are largely derelict. Accommodation is limited and basic.

Nearby

Monogaga is west along the coast, and San Pedro is beyond it.

Key facts