Coast · Full day
Sidi Kaouki Beach Day
Surf, horses and camels on Essaouira's wild beach to the south
Duration
Full day
Group size
1–6 travellers
Difficulty
Easy
Languages
English, French
From / person
$85
Overview
A full day at Sidi Kaouki, the long wind-blown beach fifteen minutes south of Essaouira: a beginner surf lesson, a horse or camel ride along the shoreline, and lunch at a beach shack.
Sidi Kaouki is what Essaouira's beach looks like before anyone builds on it — a wide arc of Atlantic sand backed by dunes and a marabout shrine, with a handful of surf schools and beach cafés and almost nothing else. The same trade winds that cool Essaouira make it a reliable, forgiving place to learn to surf, and the long firm shoreline is made for riding.
We drive you down in the morning, set you up with a local surf school for a beginner lesson if you'd like one, and arrange a horse or camel ride along the water's edge. The rest of the day is yours: walk the beach to the shrine, swim, or sit at a shack over grilled fish while the kitesurfers work the wind offshore.
Trip highlights
- Beginner surf lesson with a local Sidi Kaouki school (optional)
- Horse or camel ride along the Atlantic shoreline
- A wide, undeveloped wind-blown beach 15 minutes from Essaouira
- Beach-shack lunch of grilled fish
- The marabout shrine that gives the beach its name
Photo gallery
Inside the trip.
Day-by-day itinerary
Essaouira → Essaouira
- 1
10:00 · Drive down to the beach
Essaouira → Sidi KaoukiRiad pickup and a 15-minute drive south along the coast to Sidi Kaouki.
- 2
10:30 · Surf lesson or beach walk
Sidi Kaouki beachMeet the surf school for a beginner lesson on the gentle inside break — or simply walk the long beach to the shrine if you'd rather not get wet.
- 3
13:00 · Beach-shack lunch
Sidi KaoukiGrilled fish and salad at a beach café while the wind builds offshore.
L - 4
14:30 · Horse or camel ride
ShorelineAn hour on horseback or camel along the firm sand at the water's edge — the classic Sidi Kaouki picture.
- 5
17:00 · Back to Essaouira
Essaouira medinaDrop-off at your riad by late afternoon, sandy and salt-blown.
Cities & regions on this trip
You'll experience 1 destination.
Each stop has its own deep-dive guide — geography, history, best season, things to see, and other tours that visit it. Tap any card to open its dedicated page.
The route
Map of Sidi Kaouki Beach Day
3 stops across Coast. Distances and timings are flexible — every itinerary is reshaped to your pace.
- 1
Essaouira
Pickup
- 2
Sidi Kaouki
Beach
- 3
Essaouira
Drop-off
What's included
- Private return transfer Essaouira ↔ Sidi Kaouki
- Horse or camel ride along the beach
- Bottled water
- English-speaking driver-guide
Not included
- Surf lesson and board/wetsuit hire (add-on, arranged on the day)
- Lunch and drinks
- Tips for the surf school and ride handlers
What to bring
Pack light, pack smart.
- Swimsuit worn under your clothes and a towel
- A windproof top — the afternoon breeze is strong
- Reef-safe sunscreen and a sun hat
- Dry change of clothes for the drive back
Frequently asked
Questions about this tour.
Is "Sidi Kaouki Beach Day" private or a group tour?
100% private. Just you and the people you book with — your own driver, guide and pace from start to finish. We never pool travellers.
Can I change the dates or itinerary?
Yes. Every itinerary is a starting point. Add a day, swap a riad, change the start point — we'll re-quote in 24 hours and lock the price in writing before any deposit.
Is Essaouira always windy?
Almost. Essaouira sits in the path of the Atlantic trade winds — the 'Alizés' — which is exactly why it is a world-class surf and kitesurf town and why the medina stays cool in summer. The wind is strongest in the afternoons from April to September and gentler in the morning and through autumn. The walled medina, the port and the souks are sheltered and always comfortable; we bring a windproof layer for every client.
When should I book?
For high season (Sep–Apr), the June Gnaoua festival, and any trip with a surf or kitesurf lesson, book 4–8 weeks ahead. Last-minute is usually still possible with a phone call.
Is Sidi Kaouki good for complete beginner surfers?
It's one of the best places in Morocco to start. The inside break is gentle and sandy-bottomed, the schools are used to first-timers, and the steady wind means consistent waves. Stronger surf and the wind itself suit kitesurfers later in the day.
You might also love
More Coast tours.
2 daysBestsellerCoast
Coastal Essaouira & Argan Road
From / person
$290
3 daysSignatureCoast
Essaouira & the Atlantic Escape
From / person
$470
4 daysGuest favouriteCoast
Atlantic Edge — Essaouira & Oualidia
From / person
$720Full dayCoast
Kitesurf & Windsurf in the Alizés
From / person
$130