Arguin

Island Small Mauritanian island historically used by European traders

Off Mauritania’s Atlantic coast, Arguin Island sits within Banc d’Arguin National Park; visitors arrive for migratory seabirds, traditional fishing communities, sandy dunes and guided boat trips from Nouadhibou.

Main image
AMH-7594-NA Map of Arguin and environs, west coast of Africa.jpg
AMH-7595-NA Map of Arguin and environs, west coast of Africa.jpg
AMH-7596-NA Map of Arguin and environs, west coast of Africa.jpg
AMH-7597-NA Map of the west coast of Africa, Senegal.jpg
AMH-7886-KB Map of the bay and island of Arguin.jpg
Carte de la coste occidentale d'Afrique depuis le cap Blanc jusqu'à Tanit - (Bellin) - btv1b8595480r.jpg
Niewe pas kaert vertonende de Zee kusten van Argyn, streckende van de golf van St Anna tot d'Sant banck voor Tindel - by Jacobus Robyn - btv1b85954778.jpg
Nr. 10. Deutsche Kulturbestrebungen in Afrika. Nebenkarte. Argien in Barbarien.png
Plan de l'île et de (...) btv1b53153797k 1.jpg
Plan de la Baye et isle d'Arguim - levé par un pilote françois ; (Bellin) - btv1b8595482k.jpg
Arguin
Arguin (island/area), Dakhlet Nouadhibou region, Mauritania
20.5974, -16.4627

How to Get to Arguin #

Arguin (the island/park area off the Mauritanian coast) is reached from the town of Nouadhibou. Visitors and researchers typically travel to Nouadhibou and then take a boat to the islands or coastal parts of Arguin; some sections can also be approached by 4x4 along coastal tracks from nearby towns. On-site walking distances depend on landing points and are generally short once ashore.

Tips for Visiting Arguin #

  • Treat Arguin as a marine-protected area rather than a typical beach visit: much of its interest is birdlife and seal haul-outs best seen from boats and blinds rather than landings.
  • Arrange travel through Nouadhibou with operators who work inside Banc d'Arguin National Park - they handle local permits and know when and where landing is allowed to avoid disturbing breeding or roosting birds.

Best Time to Visit Arguin #

For Arguin, plan a visit in the November-April period for the best wildlife viewing and milder coastal conditions.

Prime birding and milder weather
November-April · 18-28°C
This coastal area is best during the birding/wintering season when wildlife viewing is at its best and temperatures are milder.
Hotter, quieter months
May-October · 20-32°C
Temperatures rise and some migratory species are absent; visitor services and boat trips may be less frequent.

Weather & Climate near Arguin #

Climate

Arguin's climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with hot summers (peaking in September) and mild winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 14°C to 31°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.

Best Time to Visit
OctoberJanuaryMay
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
44°
Warmest Month
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 14°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

96 Ideal

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
15° 25°
39%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

2 mm
Rainfall
5.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.3
UV Index
High
10.9h daylight

February

February is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. Almost no rain, mostly sunny skies, and breezy conditions.

92 Ideal

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
15° 26°
43%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

2 mm
Rainfall
6.3 m/s
Wind
Breezy
1.7
UV Index
Very High
11.4h daylight

March

March is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. Almost no rain, clear sunny skies, and breezy conditions.

94 Ideal

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
16° 27°
44%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

2 mm
Rainfall
6.3 m/s
Wind
Breezy
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
11.9h daylight

April

April is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. Almost no rain, mostly sunny skies, and breezy conditions.

94 Ideal

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
17° 27°
48%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

1 mm
Rainfall
7.2 m/s
Wind
Breezy
2.6
UV Index
Extreme
12.5h daylight

May

May is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 18°C. Almost no rain, clear sunny skies, and breezy conditions.

96 Ideal

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
18° 28°
44%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

1 mm
Rainfall
6.5 m/s
Wind
Breezy
2.7
UV Index
Extreme
13.0h daylight

June

June is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 19°C. The driest month with just 0 mm, clear sunny skies, and breezy conditions.

96 Ideal

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
19° 30°
42%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
6.9 m/s
Wind
Breezy
2.5
UV Index
Extreme
13.2h daylight

July

July is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 20°C. Almost no rain, mostly sunny skies, and breezy conditions.

96 Ideal

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
20° 29°
51%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

3 mm
Rainfall
6.2 m/s
Wind
Breezy
2.5
UV Index
Extreme
13.1h daylight

August

August is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 22°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

96 Ideal

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
22° 30°
53%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

11 mm
Rainfall
5.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
12.7h daylight

September

September is the warmest month with highs of 31°C and lows of 22°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

96 Ideal

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
22° 31°
47%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

9 mm
Rainfall
5.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
12.1h daylight

October

October is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 20°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

98 Ideal

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
21° 31°
46%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

2 mm
Rainfall
5.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.8
UV Index
Very High
11.6h daylight

November

November is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 18°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

96 Ideal

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
18° 28°
46%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

1 mm
Rainfall
5.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.5
UV Index
High
11.1h daylight

December

December is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 15°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

94 Ideal

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
15° 25°
42%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

1 mm
Rainfall
5.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
10.8h daylight

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