Bakau, Gambia
Ocean Bay Resort
📍 Bakau
Photo: official website
Your stay — Ocean Bay Resort
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Bakau.
The Property — Ocean Bay Resort
Ocean Bay Resort is a private, walled enclave on the Atlantic coast of Bakau, with a serious pool scene and a direct beachfront that avoids the hawker strip. The lobby is open-air, high-ceilinged, and smells of salt and frangipani; you check in with a cold hibiscus drink and a view of the ocean. It suits couples and older travellers who want a quiet, all-inclusive base with decent service, not a party hotel. The USP is its location: it sits on the Cape Point headland, so you get sea breezes and good sunbeds without the hassle of the main tourist beaches.
Chronicles of Bakau
Bakau grew as a fishing village on the Gambia River estuary, and its name comes from a Mandinka word for the baobab tree. The British established a colonial presence nearby in Bathurst (now Banjul), and Bakau became a residential retreat for expats and officials because of its coastal position. The city's architecture is a mix of colonial-era bungalows, modern concrete villas, and the striking, white-domed King Fahad Mosque. Today, Bakau is a quiet, leafy satellite of Banjul known for its botanical gardens and the lively Bakau Market, where Mariam's fish section is the heart of the day.
Best Time to Visit
Full Bakau guide →Best months
November to February – dry season, low humidity, daytime temps around 26–30°C, and calm seas. The Harmattan wind keeps skies hazy but clear, and crowds are moderate outside Christmas/New Year.
Peak / festival surge
December and late January – Christmas/New Year holiday and the International Roots Festival (late January/early February) bring diaspora visitors and full hotels. Prices at Ocean Bay roughly double; book by September.
Budget shoulder season
March and April – still dry, slightly hotter (32°C), but very few tourists and rates drop 30–40%. The ocean is warm and the hotel pool is yours.
Weather & packing
July is the rainy season: expect heavy, short downpours in the afternoon and high humidity (80%+). Pack a lightweight, waterproof jacket and quick-dry shoes – flip-flops alone will leave you soggy waiting for a taxi.
Live City Briefing — Bakau
- Banjul's Banjul-Barra ferry service has been running reliably on the new boat (2025), but check for schedule changes on your dates – it's still a wooden dock queue operation.
- The Gambia Tourism Board is pushing the 'Smile Coast' campaign, but the hotel's taxi rates are fixed – negotiate to D200–250 for short trips in Bakau.
- July is low season, so the hotel's main restaurant may rotate to a limited buffet; confirm a la carte availability at check-in if you get bored of chicken yassa.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Ocean Bay Resort, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 3 to 5 facing the ocean. These floors avoid street-level noise and offer clear views over the resort grounds. Higher floors also catch the breeze, which helps with humidity.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first and second floors, especially those facing the street (Bakau Road). You'll hear traffic, market activity, and early morning calls to prayer from nearby mosques. Also skip rooms directly above the main bar or restaurant area.
Best views
The ocean-facing rooms give you a direct view of the Atlantic, with the hotel's pool and gardens in the foreground. The street-side views look onto Bakau's main road and local houses, which is less scenic and noisier.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 through 5 are reliably quiet, especially the ocean-facing side. They're above the public areas and lift lobbies, so foot traffic and service noise are minimal.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from Bakau Road is a factor, especially early morning and during evening rush hour. The nearby mosque loudspeaker will be audible around 5am for the first prayer. Air conditioning units on the roof can hum if you're on the top floor.
Insider tips
Request a late checkout at reception when you arrive—it's often available on weekdays. Also ask for a room on the far west end of the building, away from the lift and service core, for the quietest stay.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Ocean Bay Resort
Free for all guests; speeds around 15 Mbps download; no login required — just accept splash page
Two lifts serve all six floors; no stairs-only sections
Physical copies of The Daily Observer and The Point at reception; no digital newsstand
Standard check-in from 15:00; early bag drop from 12:00; late check-out until 14:00 costs GMD 3,000, after 14:00 charged half-night rate
Free for same-day drop-off and collection; overnight storage available on request
Step-free access via ramp at main entrance; wheelchair-accessible rooms on ground floor; lifts wide enough for standard wheelchairs; no poolside step-free route
Free on-site parking with 40 spaces; no valet; EV charging: none; nearest public car park: none within walking distance
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; credit card hold of GMD 10,000 for incidentals taken at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Masjidul Salam (779 m · ~10 min walk)
- Mosque: Mosque (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Mosque: Mosque (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
National Botanic Garden — 952 m · ~12 min walk
Kachikally Crocodile Pool — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 182 m · ~2 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Gambian Dalasi, GMD
Use forex bureaux in Bakau or nearby Fajara for competitive rates; avoid the airport and tourist hotel desks where rates are poor.
Cards accepted in larger hotels and supermarkets, but most small shops, taxis, and market stalls expect cash; contactless is rare.
Round up taxi fares or leave 10% in restaurants if service charge not included; small tips for hotel staff (50–100 GMD) are appreciated.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local café or kiosk coffee with milk: around 30–50 GMD.
Street-side domoda (peanut stew) or fried fish with rice: about 100–150 GMD.
Main dish of grilled chicken or fish with chips/rice at a local bar: 200–300 GMD.
Along the main roads in Bakau, especially near the fish market and taxi ranks, you’ll find vendors selling grilled fish, meat skewers, and rice bowls.
Budget supermarkets like GamSuper (near Fajara junction) and small local shops along Atlantic Road.
Bakau’s weekly market (Bakau Market) and the larger Serrekunda Market for second-hand and new clothing at negotiable prices.
Shared bush taxi or minibus (locally ‘gelele’) for 15–30 GMD per short hop; from Banjul airport, a shared taxi to Bakau costs about 400–600 GMD total.
Eat at local food stalls rather than tourist restaurants; use shared taxis instead of private hire; buy fresh produce at Bakau Market rather than packaged supermarket goods.
Emergency Contacts
BakauFor non-emergency police assistance, you can call +220 422 1101 or visit the Banjul Police Station. For medical emergencies, the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital in Banjul has a 24-hour casualty department, which can be reached at +220 422 3111.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Bakau, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Ocean Bay Resort
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 182 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Banjul International Airport → Cape Point Hotel, Bakau
💡 Book in advance with the hotel to ensure availability and a smooth transfer.
Banjul Bus Station → Bakau Bus Station
💡 Take the B6 bus from the Banjul Bus Station for a scenic route along the coast.
Bakau Bus Station → Cape Point Hotel
💡 Negotiate the price before you start your journey to get a fair deal.
Bakau Main Road → Cape Point Hotel
💡 Rent a bike from a local shop on the main road and explore Bakau at your own pace.
About Bakau
Wikipedia ↗
Bakau is a town on the Atlantic coast of Gambia, west of Gambia's capital city of Banjul. It is known for its botanical gardens, its crocodile pool Bakau Kachikally and for the beaches at Cape Point. Bakau is the first major suburb outside Banjul and the most developed town in the Gambia. Close to ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Ocean Bay Resort?
Request a room on floors 3 to 5 facing the ocean. These floors avoid street-level noise and offer clear views over the resort grounds. Higher floors also catch the breeze, which helps with humidity.
Which rooms should I avoid at Ocean Bay Resort?
Avoid rooms on the first and second floors, especially those facing the street (Bakau Road). You'll hear traffic, market activity, and early morning calls to prayer from nearby mosques. Also skip rooms directly above the main bar or restaurant area.
Is Ocean Bay Resort noisy?
Street noise from Bakau Road is a factor, especially early morning and during evening rush hour. The nearby mosque loudspeaker will be audible around 5am for the first prayer. Air conditioning units on the roof can hum if you're on the top floor.
Which rooms have the best views at Ocean Bay Resort?
The ocean-facing rooms give you a direct view of the Atlantic, with the hotel's pool and gardens in the foreground. The street-side views look onto Bakau's main road and local houses, which is less scenic and noisier.
What are insider tips for staying at Ocean Bay Resort?
Request a late checkout at reception when you arrive—it's often available on weekdays. Also ask for a room on the far west end of the building, away from the lift and service core, for the quietest stay.
What time is check-in at Ocean Bay Resort?
Check-in at Ocean Bay Resort is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Ocean Bay Resort have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests; speeds around 15 Mbps download; no login required — just accept splash page
Is there a city or tourist tax at Ocean Bay Resort?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Ocean Bay Resort?
Street-side domoda (peanut stew) or fried fish with rice: about 100–150 GMD.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Ocean Bay Resort?
Shared bush taxi or minibus (locally ‘gelele’) for 15–30 GMD per short hop; from Banjul airport, a shared taxi to Bakau costs about 400–600 GMD total.
When is the best time to visit Bakau?
November to February – dry season, low humidity, daytime temps around 26–30°C, and calm seas. The Harmattan wind keeps skies hazy but clear, and crowds are moderate outside Christmas/New Year.
Top Attractions in Bakau
💡 Be careful not to get too close to the crocodiles.
💡 Take a stroll along the nearby beach to enjoy the sunset.
💡 Take a guided tour to get the most out of your visit.