The artisanal fishing harbour on the south side of town is the most atmospheric place in Nouadhibou. Hundreds of brightly painted wooden pirogues — most crewed by Senegalese, Ghanaian, and Malian fishermen — pull in through the morning with octopus, hake, sea bream, and the prized white grouper.
The auction at dawn is loud, chaotic and worth the early start; the boats themselves, lined up on the sand, are good for photographs. Watch your footing and your camera around the busy parts of the dock.