Stand at the edge of the salt flats at Lake Assal and the ground underfoot is white, cracked and utterly still, with the water beyond it a hard blue against bare rock. The drive out there is part of the experience: the tarmac gives way to a rough, truck-battered road, and the landscape opens into something far emptier than the capital.
Djibouti suits travellers who are comfortable arranging their own transport and who value landscapes and water over polished infrastructure. The country's draws are concentrated around a handful of natural sites and the Gulf of Tadjoura, and most of them require a car, a driver or a boat to reach.
This guide covers the sights and activities the source material supports, followed by a one-day plan built only from those places.
Top things to do in Djibouti
1. Lake Assal
Lake Assal sits at 150 m below sea level, making it the third-lowest point on Earth. The setting is the reason to come: salt flats, hard light and a sense of scale that is difficult to find elsewhere.
You will need to hire a car or ask someone who lives in Djibouti to drive you. Expect a rough ride, because the roads outside the capital are damaged by truck traffic between Djibouti and Ethiopia. The road passes within sight of the Devil's Island and some impressive views along the way.
2. Lake Abbe
Lake Abbe is one of the most desolate places on Earth, dotted with limestone chimneys up to 50 m high. The landscape is described as lunar. Many people claim that Planet of the Apes was filmed here, although that is not true.
Treat this as a full-day or overnight commitment rather than a quick stop, and go with a driver who knows the route. The reward is the chimneys and the emptiness around them.
3. Scuba diving
Despite the country's arid landscape, several reefs lie off the coast and are teeming with all sorts of life. Diving is the most direct way to see what the coastline hides.
Plan your dives around the Gulf of Tadjoura and confirm conditions and equipment with an operator in Djibouti City before you commit a day to it.
4. Whale shark tours
You can go snorkelling or diving with whale sharks, though the chance of seeing them varies through the season. Sightings run at 70–80% between November and January and fall to close to zero during the warmer months.
If whale sharks are the priority, book your trip for the November to January window rather than hoping for a sighting later in the year.
5. Sea kayaking
Sea kayaking lets you enjoy the Gulf of Tadjoura and Ghoubet Kharrib in an eco-friendly way, with the possibility of observing whale sharks and sea turtles.
This is a good option if you want time on the water without committing to a dive, and it pairs naturally with the same season that favours whale shark sightings.
If you only have one day
Morning: Leave Djibouti City early for Lake Assal, with a hired car or a driver who knows the route. The road is rough and passes within sight of the Devil's Island, so allow the journey itself to be part of the day rather than dead time.
Afternoon: Continue on to Lake Abbe if your driver and schedule allow, where the limestone chimneys rise up to 50 m out of one of the most desolate landscapes on Earth. If you would rather stay closer to the coast, use the afternoon for scuba diving on the reefs off the Gulf of Tadjoura.
Evening: Return to Djibouti City and arrange a sea kayaking outing on the Gulf of Tadjoura for the following morning, or a whale shark tour if you are travelling between November and January.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to see whale sharks?
The chance of seeing them varies through the season. Sightings are 70–80% between November and January and close to zero during the warmer months.
Do I need my own transport to reach Lake Assal?
Yes. You will need to hire a car or ask someone who lives in Djibouti to drive you. The roads outside the capital are destroyed by truck traffic between Djibouti and Ethiopia, so expect a rough ride.
Was Planet of the Apes filmed at Lake Abbe?
No. Many people claim it was, but that is not true. The landscape is genuinely described as lunar, and the limestone chimneys reach up to 50 m high.
What can I do on the water besides diving?
Sea kayaking allows you to enjoy the Gulf of Tadjoura and Ghoubet Kharrib in an eco-friendly way, with the possibility of observing whale sharks and sea turtles.
Decide whether your trip is built around the lakes or the Gulf, sort out a driver or an operator in Djibouti City, and you can start planning the rest from there.