Surfing in Essaouira is a good choice for a first surf trip to Morocco. The town’s wide, sandy bay is sheltered by the Mogador islands, the water stays mild all year, and there are surf schools right on the main beach. More experienced surfers head out of town to the reefs and open beaches north and south along the coast. This guide covers the spots, the best time of year, what to wear in the water, lessons, and how to get to Essaouira from Marrakech.

Surfing in Essaouira at a glance

  • Best for: beginners in the bay, intermediate and advanced surfers at the spots outside town
  • Biggest waves: autumn and winter, roughly October to April
  • Smaller, easier waves: spring and summer, with strong afternoon wind
  • Water temperature: about 17 to 21 °C all year
  • Wetsuit: 3/2 mm in summer, 4/3 mm in winter
  • Getting there: about 2 hours 40 minutes by road from Marrakech

Why Essaouira? The wind city

Essaouira is known in Morocco as the wind city. The trade winds blow most days, and they are strongest in summer afternoons. That makes the town a center for kitesurfing and windsurfing, and it shapes how you surf here: the mornings are usually calmer and cleaner, so plan your sessions early and leave the afternoon for the medina or the kiters.

When is the best time for surfing in Essaouira?

From around October to April, Atlantic swells arrive more often and the waves are bigger and more consistent. This is the season for experienced surfers, and the time to visit the spots outside town.

From May to September the swell is smaller and the wind is stronger. Smaller waves suit lessons and first sessions in the bay, as long as you get in the water in the morning.

Water temperature and wetsuits

The ocean around Essaouira stays between about 17 °C and 21 °C through the year. It never gets cold, but you will want a wetsuit: a 3/2 mm in summer and a 4/3 mm in winter. Schools and surf shops in town rent both.

The best surf spots in and around Essaouira

Essaouira bay (main beach)

The main beach runs south from the medina for several kilometers. The Mogador islands break up the open-ocean swell, so the waves that reach the bay are smaller and gentler, over a sandy bottom. This is where the surf schools are and where most people take their first lesson.

Sidi Kaouki

Sidi Kaouki is a small village on a long, open beach south of Essaouira. With no islands in front of it, it picks up more swell than the bay, and there is plenty of room in the water. Currents can be strong, so do not surf there alone, and go in the morning before the wind picks up.

Moulay Bouzerktoun

North of Essaouira, the fishing village of Moulay Bouzerktoun has powerful waves over a rocky bottom and is very windy, especially in summer. It is a spot for experienced surfers only; ask locals about conditions before you paddle out.

Cap Sim

South of the bay, Cap Sim is quieter than the main beach and suits intermediate and advanced surfers.

Imsouane: a day trip down the coast

Further south along the coast, Imsouane is known for its long right-hand wave that peels along the bay, one of the longest rides in Morocco. It makes a good day trip from Essaouira when there is swell.

Surf lessons and choosing a board

Most surf schools are on the main beach and offer group, semi-private and private lessons, with the board and wetsuit included. Beginners should start on a soft-top (foam) board of around 7 to 9 feet, depending on height and weight: it floats well, is stable, and hurts less if it hits you or someone else. As you progress, a mini-malibu of around 8 feet is the usual next step before shorter boards.

Surf etiquette and safety

  • One surfer per wave: the person closest to where the wave breaks has priority.
  • Paddle out around the breaking waves, not through the middle of the line-up.
  • Always wear a leash, and keep hold of your board.
  • Start on spots with a sandy bottom, check the tide and currents, and avoid stormy days.
  • Stay within your level. If in doubt, ask a local school about conditions.

Getting to Essaouira from Marrakech

Most visitors fly into Marrakech. Essaouira is about 2 hours 40 minutes away by road; public buses also run between the two cities. If you only want a taste of the coast before deciding on a longer stay, our Essaouira day trip from Marrakech includes hotel pickup, a stop at an argan oil cooperative, and free time in the medina and on the beach. For a surf trip, plan to stay a few nights so you can catch the morning sessions.

What to do in Essaouira when you are not surfing

The medina is a UNESCO World Heritage site, small enough to explore on foot. Walk the ramparts and the Skala de la Ville with its old cannons, watch the fishing boats come into the harbor, and eat fresh fish by the port. If you are combining the coast with the rest of Morocco, see our ideas for things to do in Marrakech, or head inland for a night in the Sahara on the 3-day desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga.

Surfing in Essaouira: frequently asked questions

Is Essaouira good for beginner surfers?

Yes. The bay is sheltered by the Mogador islands, has a sandy bottom, and the surf schools are on the main beach. Surf in the morning, before the wind gets strong.

When are the best waves in Essaouira?

From around October to April. Summer brings smaller waves and stronger wind, which suits beginners and kitesurfers.

How warm is the water in Essaouira?

About 17 to 21 °C through the year. A 3/2 mm wetsuit is enough in summer; use a 4/3 mm in winter.

Essaouira or Taghazout for surfing?

Taghazout, north of Agadir, is Morocco’s other big surf town, with point breaks that suit intermediate and advanced surfers. Essaouira’s sheltered bay is gentler for first lessons, and the town itself has more to see between sessions.