Which ocean borders the Sahara Desert on its western side?

The Atlantic Ocean borders the Sahara Desert on its western side.

The Sahara reaches the Atlantic coast across parts of Morocco, Western Sahara, and Mauritania. This western edge contrasts with the desert’s eastern boundary near the Red Sea and its northern edge along the Mediterranean region. The Atlantic therefore provides a clear geographic landmark for the Sahara’s enormous west-to-east span.

The coastal desert is not identical to the inland dune fields shown in many photographs. Near the ocean, fog and cool marine air can supply moisture even where rainfall is scarce. Inland areas generally experience much greater temperature extremes and lower humidity.

The Atlantic-facing region also formed part of historic caravan networks linking North Africa with the Sahel. Ocean, desert, and political borders overlap there, so maps may label neighboring coastal zones differently while still placing them within the broader Sahara region.