$695 / weekLoving Surf Essaouira
Essaouira
ZenSurf + KiteBeachfront
Essaouira Surf Guide
A UNESCO-listed walled city on the windswept north Atlantic — kitesurfing capital of Morocco with cleaner surf at Sidi Kaouki down the coast.
Best time
September – April
Wave types
Beach breaks, wind-affected — cleaner conditions at Sidi Kaouki
Skill level
All levels — strong wind sports culture, cleaner surf 25km south at Sidi Kaouki
Surf camps
2 listed
Surfing in Essaouira
Essaouira is the cultural heavyweight of the Moroccan Atlantic coast — an 18th-century fortified port turned UNESCO World Heritage site, with ramparts, a working fishing harbour, and a medina full of artisans and music. The wind that scoured the city for centuries is also what makes it Morocco's kite, wing, and windsurf capital. Pure surf is more often blown out than not on the main beach, but mornings can deliver clean conditions, and Sidi Kaouki — a quiet village 25 kilometres south — is sheltered enough to surf cleanly far more often. Stay in Essaouira for the city, or in Sidi Kaouki for the waves; the drive between them is short.
Surf camps in Essaouira
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Other regions in Morocco
Taghazout Surf Guide
Morocco's surf capital — a former fishing village now lined with rooftop riads, surf shops, and three of the best right-hand points in North Africa.
Tamraght Surf Guide
A quieter Berber village 5km south of Taghazout — Banana Beach, the K-spots, and the most forgiving learner waves on the coast.
Imsouane Surf Guide
A small fishing port hiding Africa's longest right-hander — on the right swell the wave peels for nearly 800 metres into a sheltered bay.