Pointe Noire
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Positives
- Fairly consistent swells
- Tropical & uncrowded
- Dry during the surf season
- Amazing wildlife
Negatives
- No world-class spots
- High costs
- Difficult traveling
- Some health risks
Pointe Noire surf travel guide
Only expats working in the oil industry are likely to be in a position to surf in Pointe-Noire, so knowing someone who works there or at the very least speaking some French are essential to find waves in the Republic of Congo. Despite all the difficulties to get there, Pointe-Noire is one of the safest coastal cities in Africa and truly an oasis in a turbulent region.
Surf spots in Pointe Noire
Research the 6 surf breaks in Pointe Noire and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 6 breaks in Pointe Noire.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Pointe Noire
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Library
Helpful surf travel videos and articles featuring Pointe Noire.
Travel Information
General
- Current Time
- Tourists
- 507,000
- Population
- 95,079,490
- Tourist Info
- Tourist Info
Security
Health
Money
- Currency
- CDF
Cost of living
Communication
- Dialing in
- +242 243
- Dialing out
- 00
- Language
- French (official), Lingala, Kingwana, Kikongo, Tshiluba
Electricity
- Plug Type
- cde
Visas
Get your Visa before arrival. Prices are variable and are not cheap. You also need a yellow fever vaccine certificate.
Getting There
A visa ($100) is required along with a return ticket. Flights are expensive, Aero Benin, Air France, Gabon Airlines and Cameroon Airlines reach Brazzaville (BZV) or through Libreville in Gabon. Lina Congo (GC), operates from Brazzaville to Pointe-Noire (PNR), 512km (318mi) away. Trains used to take between 10h30 and 3 days but the inter-city railway has stopped running.
Getting Around
Roads are mostly earth tracks, sandy in dry season and impassable for all but the best 4WDs in the wet. Rental cars are really expensive, better to use local taxis ($2 local). There is a good new road southwards to Angolan enclave of Cabinda. There are 2500km (1554mi) of inland waterways, navigable year-round. Loango is 20km (12mi) from Pointe Noire.
Accommodation
Best hotels are Novotel or Azur ($120-180) and other options are Elias Hotel or Palm Beach ($20-40) near Cote Sauvage. Malonda lodge in Djeno costs $205 for a bungalow for two. No hotel at Pointe Indienne but there are eco-lodges up north near La Noumbi. Local food can be cheap ($5).
Activities
Sightseeing spots include the Pointe Noire train station, the harbour (old lighthouse), and Notre-Dame Cathedral. 5h north by 4WD is Conkouati Chimp Reserve and the Diosso canyon is nearby. Only 45min to Tchissanga Monkey World. Surf-casting and deep sea fishing, plus hang-gliding.
Hazards & hassles
A yellow fever certificate and a really serious anti-malarial prophylactic, as some areas are chloroquine resistant. The heavy oil industry means you get occasional tar balls on the beach.
Handy Hints
One all-round board will be enough. Bagatelle surf shop may have changed its name, but it will still be expensive stuff! Don’t get mixed up between Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) and the much larger Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa) to the south and east. Check the nightclubs like Biblos, Colibri and Nels Club.
Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.