Bakau is a compact town on the Atlantic coast, about 12 kilometres from Banjul, and one of the main centres of tourist activity in The Gambia. It is walkable, well-served by local taxis, and has better infrastructure than most of the country -- paved roads, reliable electricity, and a decent range of shops and services.
The town is home to the Kachikally Crocodile Pool, one of The Gambia's most popular attractions. This sacred pool, tended by the same family for generations, is home to dozens of Nile crocodiles that are remarkably placid. You can get close enough to touch them, though whether you want to is another matter. The pool is considered a place of fertility and spiritual power.
Bakau's fish market, down at the Cape Point beach, is one of the most photogenic scenes in the country. In the late afternoon, pirogues land their catch and the beach comes alive with activity -- fishermen hauling nets, women carrying fish on their heads, and buyers haggling over the day's haul. The nearby Cape Point is a good spot for watching the sunset.
The Independence Stadium, the country's main sports venue, is in Bakau, as is Radio Gambia's broadcasting centre at Mile 7. The Botanical Gardens, though small and somewhat neglected, are a pleasant shaded walk and a reasonable birdwatching spot.
Bakau merges seamlessly into the neighbouring resort areas of Fajara and Kotu to the south. Fajara has a golf course and several upmarket restaurants, while Kotu has a quieter beach and the excellent Kotu Stream birdwatching area. Yellow town taxis shuttle between all of these areas cheaply.