Pink Lake Retba in Senegal 2024-2025
Despite its tempting colouring, the algae lake is too salty for a slow soak
Best time: November–June
Lake Retba, also known as Lac Rose or Pink Lake, is listed among world's 10 most amazing lakes. It's Dunaliella salina algae, that produces the red pigment and paints the water into lovely colours.
Besides visual delight, Lake Retba is praised for high salt concentration, exceeding 40% in some areas. Locals make a living by harvesting the salt from the bottom of the pink lake. Can you imagine what it's like to stay in that salty water for hours? It could have been too damaging for skin, if not for shea butter they apply on their bodies before plunging into the water.
The nice pink spot is located on the western tip of Africa, some 30 km north-east of Dakar, and is separated from the ocean with a narrow stripe of dunes. And the best time to catch the most intense colours is drier period—from November to June.
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