Surfing · The Atlantic coast
Essaouira
Africa’s windiest city: a white-walled port, blue fishing boats and a wide bay where many surfers catch their first wave.
The place
A town that lives with the wind
Essaouira, once called Mogador, was built as a fortified port in the 18th century. Its old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site: ramparts lined with bronze cannons, white walls, blue doors, and a harbour where the fishing boats come in each afternoon.
Artists and musicians have long been drawn here. Jimi Hendrix visited in the summer of 1969, and every June the Gnaoua World Music Festival fills the squares with music. The ramparts later became a Game of Thrones filming location.
The wind is the town’s other character. Steady trade winds have made Essaouira a world name for windsurfing and kitesurfing. For surfers, the bay is usually calmest in the morning, which is when lessons go best.
Morning waves, the old town in the afternoon.
Surfing here
A wide, sandy bay with gentle waves, and quieter spots along the coast to the south.
On the surf journey
Two sessions on the surf journey, with the old town, the harbour and the ramparts between them.
- Sessions
- 2
- Length
- About 2 hours
- Coach
- ISA-certified
- Equipment
- Soft board and full wetsuit, usually provided
Spots near Essaouira
Wide sandy bays and quieter points along the coast south of town.
- Essaouira beach
- In town · beginners
- Sidi Kaouki
- About 30 min south · beginners to intermediate
- Cap Sim
- South of town · intermediate
- Tafedna
- About 1 hour south · beginners to intermediate
- Moulay Bouzerktoun
- About 30 min north · windy, experienced surfers
Spot and conditions are confirmed on the day.
The waters around Essaouira
A wide bay below the old town gives beginners gentle waves close to the harbour. Along the coast, Cap Sim and Sidi Kaouki lie to the south, while to the north Moulay Bouzerktoun is where the wind draws the kitesurfers.
Spots around the bay
- Moulay Bouzerktoun · about 30 min north, windy, experienced surfers
- Essaouira beach · in town, beginners
- Plage Tagharte · south end of the bay
- Cap Sim · south of town, intermediate
- Sidi Kaouki · about 30 min south, beginners to intermediate
A surf day here
An example. We adapt it to the sea, the season and your group.
About 2 hours with your coach, while the wind is still light.
Grilled fish, straight from the boats, at the harbour stalls.
The souks, the galleries, then the ramparts at sunset.
Beyond the waves
For the rest of the day, and for anyone in the group who does not surf.
Souks, woodworkers and art galleries inside the UNESCO-listed walls.
Blue boats, the sea bastion and its cannons, and the sunset over the Atlantic.
A long wild beach to the south, for a walk or a horse ride along the sand.
Women’s cooperatives on the road, where argan oil is still made by hand.
Surf journey
Essaouira is the first stop of the surf journey, before Taghazout.
General information about this destination, for guidance. Details vary with the season and the sea, and your trip confirms what is included.
Planning a surf trip?Tell us your dates, group size and level. We plan the sessions and the route around them.
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