01Beach
Essaouira town beach
A wide crescent of firm golden sand sweeping south from the medina toward the Oued Ksob and the dunes. The steady trade winds keep it cool and lively with kitesurfers, footballers and walkers rather than sunloungers.
Essaouira, MoroccoConcierge · 7 Days · 9–21H GMT+1
Things to do · Essaouira
Things to do in Essaouira
The coast around Essaouira is long, wild and reliably windy — less a sunbathing strip than a place to walk, ride and chase the breeze. From the town's own great crescent to the surf villages north and south, here is what each stretch of this Atlantic shore is actually like.
6 experiences
The best of Essaouira
02Activity
Camel & horse rides on the sand
Stables on the edge of town run guided rides along the beach toward the river mouth and Diabat — one of the easiest ways to enjoy the open coast away from the busier medina end.
03Beach
Diabat & the dunes
South across the Oued Ksob, the sands climb into low dunes beside the village of Diabat and the half-buried Borj el Bermil fort. It is a quieter, wilder continuation of the town beach.
04Surf beach
Sidi Kaouki
About 25 km south, this long, empty surf beach gathers around a seaside marabout shrine. More swell and wind reach it than the sheltered town bay, drawing surfers and windsurfers to its laid-back cafés.
05Surf beach
Moulay Bouzerktoun
North of town, a rocky point known among experienced windsurfers for strong wind and wave-sailing. It is a spot for confident sailors rather than a swimming beach.
06Beach
Plage Tagharte & the south bay
Beyond the dunes the shore opens into long, near-empty sand backed by scrub and argan country, ideal for a windswept walk well away from the crowds.
Frequently asked
Are the beaches in Essaouira good for swimming?
The water is clean but the Atlantic is cool, with surf and currents, and the afternoon wind is strong. The beaches are excellent for walking, watersports and rides rather than calm swimming or sunbathing; mornings are gentler if you do want to paddle.
Which is the best beach near Essaouira?
The town beach is the easiest and most convenient, with rides and watersports on the doorstep. For a wilder feel, head south to Sidi Kaouki for surf and space, or across the river to Diabat and the dunes.
Why is it so windy on Essaouira's beaches?
Essaouira sits in the path of the Atlantic trade winds, the alizés, which earned it the nickname 'Wind City of Africa'. The wind is strongest in the afternoons from spring to early autumn, which is why the coast is a watersports magnet.
Can you ride camels or horses on Essaouira beach?
Yes. Stables on the edge of town run guided camel and horse rides along the beach toward the Oued Ksob river mouth, the dunes and Diabat, a relaxed half-day way to take in the open coast.
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