Lassarga

Lassarga sits on the Atlantic side of the Dakhla peninsula, a working fishing settlement of small boats, concrete buildings and drying racks where the catch comes ashore straight off the ocean rather than the lagoon. The water here is cold, brought up by the current that runs down this coast, and it is the reason the fishery is as good as it is. Octopus and sardine dominate. The peninsula is narrow here, with the lagoon on one side and the open Atlantic on the other.

What you actually see

• The boat landing - small craft coming ashore off the open ocean.
• The cold current - the upwelling that makes the fishery productive.
• The drying racks - the catch worked on the shore.
• The working village - a settlement built entirely around the fishery.

When to go

November to March is cooler. Fog off the cold water is common in any month. Wind is strong along this coast most days.

Honest expectations

This is a working place, not a visitor site, and there are no facilities. The ocean here is cold and the surf is dangerous. Ask before photographing people at work.

Nearby

Dakhla is north, and the ocean coast runs south.