Nouâdhibou, or Nouadhibou, is a fishing port on the coast of northern Mauritania, on the border with Western Sahara. It used to be known as Port-Étienne during French colonial times. The city sits on the bayside of Ras Nouâdhibou peninsula (also known as Cap Blanc, or Cabo Blanco) some 340 km north of Nouakchott. At some points the peninsula is only about a kilometer wide. The western half is cordoned of by landmines, as that part is property of Western Sahara. Don't cross the railway line, as the mined area starts soon after that.
The water in Nouâdhibou's bay is very calm, so excellent for swimming, water-skiing and fishing. There are fantastic deserted beaches in the area.
Port Mineralier, 15 km from Nouâdhibou, is the place where ore from the mines at Zouérat is loaded on ships.
There are many hotels and restaurants in Nouâdhibou. The city has rail and road connections with the ore-mine area around Zouérat, 520 km to the northeast. Trucks also run between Nouâdhibou and the capital, but that route is also covered by air. If you want to drive there yourself make sure you have a guide, as part of the journey goes through the desert. Also take plenty of water and eye drops (it is very dusty).
Nouâdhibou's main port is known as Port Artisanal. It is usually cramped with hundreds of fishing vessels. Not far from town is a ship-graveyard, where you can see numerous stranded and rusted shipwrecks.
Nouâdhibou
Port Artisanal