Dakhla's peninsula is long enough that exploring it takes a full day. Beyond the peninsula, the Saharan desert stretches in all directions. Most day trips require your own vehicle or a hired 4WD with driver — there is no public transport to speak of outside the town centre, and distances are significant.
The area around Dakhla remains partially mined from the conflict that ended formal hostilities in 1991. Never go off-road in unfamiliar areas without a local guide, and treat military checkpoints as routine rather than threatening: a polite, patient response to questions will always get you through.
White Dune (La Dune Blanche) — About 30 km north of Dakhla, a large isolated dune rises out of the flat coastal plain in a way that is genuinely startling. The drive is straightforward on the main road north; the dune itself is climbable on foot and gives views across both the lagoon side and the open Atlantic. Worth half a morning.
Dragon Island (Île Herne) — A low sandy island in the middle of the lagoon, accessible by boat from the kite camp area. Flamingo colonies are sometimes visible from the island's shore. Local boat operators offer trips; agree a price before departing and confirm pickup arrangements carefully.
Oued Jenna Estuary — Further south down the peninsula, where a seasonal watercourse meets the lagoon, there is good birdwatching — migratory species use this stretch of the Atlantic flyway. Access is by 4WD along the peninsula road; the track deteriorates toward the tip but remains manageable in dry conditions.
Overnight desert camp — Several operators based in Dakhla run overnight trips into the Saharan interior, involving 4WD driving, a night in a tent or under the stars, and a return the next morning. The scale of darkness and silence in this desert — no light pollution for hundreds of kilometres — is remarkable. A worthwhile splurge.