Antigua
Please wait
Essaouira kitesurfing holidays, with the Morocco experts.
Essaouira Windsurfing Holidays Overview Essaouira is a very culturally interesting place, with masses of tradition still remaining throughout the un-spoilt Morrocan charm of the town, port, and beaches.
The Essaouira season at a glance
The strongest, most reliable kitesurf months are highlighted below — based on our own time on the water here, not guesswork.
Why you'll love kitesurfing in Essaouira!
Essaouira Windsurfing Holidays Overview
Essaouira is a very culturally interesting place, with masses of tradition still remaining throughout the un-spoilt Morrocan charm of the town, port, and beaches.
The fascinating culture combined with the reliable strong winds make Essaouira a great windsurf holiday destination for both windsurfers and non windsurfers alike. On the water the conditions are most suitable for the more confident windsurfer as the wind is quite strong and there are waves in a many parts of the bay. Beginner and improvers are catered for but it can be that that some afternoons are too difficult at this level.
Planet offer tailor made tours in Morocco to combine the watersports with some of the cultural sites of the country. Please see our suggest tour itineraries for some examples or speak to an expert travel advisor for a personalised itinerary.
Essaouira Kitesurfing Holidays Overview
Essaouira is a very culturally interesting place, with masses of tradition still remaining throughout the un-spoilt Morrocan charm of the town, port, and beaches.
The fascinating culture combined with the reliable strong winds make Essaouira a great kitesurf holiday destination for both kitesurfers and non kiters alike. On the water the conditions are most suitable for the more confident kitesurfer as the wind is quite strong and there are waves in a many parts of the bay. Beginners and improvers are catered for, but it can be that that some afternoons are too difficult at this level.
Planet offer tailor made tours in Morocco to combine the watersports with some of the cultural sites of the country. Please see our suggest tour itineraries for some examples or speak to an expert travel advisor for a personalised itinerary.
The Kitesurfing Spots In And Around Essaouria
Essouira is situated on 4 Km of slightly descending beach, allowing easy launching and learning. The long gentle waves are ideal for inexperienced wave riders.
Further down wind in the bay are bigger waves, measuring between 1 and 2 meters. For more wave spots it's an easy trip to visit Moulay or Sidi Kaouki, a mere 20 minute drive. There you will be confronted with big powerful waves, ideal only for experienced wave riders.
At the northern end of the bay is a flat water spot great for slalom, freestyle, and general speed freaks.
The Wind In Essaouira
The wind in Essaouira predominantly blows cross offshore from the right, directly next to the centre, but due to the shape of the bay further downwind it will blow cross-shore to cross on. It is here where the wind and waves are best, and definitely worth sailing down to.
Between 9 and 11 in the mornings are the best time for beginners, and kids, as this is before the wind has picked up, and in turn, the sea is a lot calmer. After 11 the wind has really begun blowing and is when the more experienced kitesurfers begin to launch. By 12 o'clock the wind has picked up significantly and continues to blow stronger throughout the day, often until sundown, so make sure that a sundown sail is high on your list as Morocco has views of spectacular sunsets!
Activities In Essaouira
The waves make for great surfing in Essouira and at local wave spots.
The shopping in Morrocco is incredible, walking through the alleys you will discover beautifully crafted pots, rugs, glassware, materials, clothes, and much, much more.
Other options are Windsurfing, SUP'ing, boat trips to near by islands with bird sanctuaries, quad biking, excursions into the Atlas Mountains.
Nightlife In Essaouira
The enclosed, foot traffic only, town of Essaouira has alleys upon alleys of unique shops which stay open late into the evening selling beautiful crafts, all available at bartered prices.
There are lots of restaurants, ranging from small and simple ones, to fabulous restaurants offering fantastic seafood and the traditional Tagines (Casseroles). Filled with meat, vegetables, spices, all cooked together in a small clay oven for hours. Highly reccommended is Chez Sam, a seafood restaurant in the port of Essaouira, serving fresh seafood straight from the boats!
Being Predominantly Islamic, you won't be served alcohol with your meal, but you can find a few small bars.
Kids
Essaouira is not the most ideal place for young kids, mainly because of the minimal amount of activities they would be able to participate in. Although the accommodation standard in Essaouira is very good, none of the hotels offer kids clubs or a nanny service. It is a destination suited mainly for teenagers and adults looking to participate in the sports, and are interested in the traditional Moroccan culture.
Speak to a Morocco expert
We've ridden every spot and stayed in every hotel we sell in Morocco. Tell us your dates and level — we'll tell you honestly whether Essaouira is your best match.
Skill level match
How well Essaouira suits each stage of your kitesurf journey.
Waves 100%
Learn To Kitesurf 30%
Foiling 80%
Improver (not riding upwind) 30%
Independent kiter 100%
Essaouira in pictures
Recommended hotels in Essaouira
We've stayed in them, walked the beaches and checked the kitesurf logistics — these are the ones we'd book ourselves.
From £104/night · breakfast
Atlas Essaouira & Spa
- Short walk to the windsurf and kitesurf centre
- Stunning rooms views to the beach
- Great for those travelling with non-sporting families and partners
From £111/night · bed and breakfast
Madada Mogadors
- Quirky luxury Essaouira Riad in Essaouira Medina
- Spectacular views from roof top terrace
- Close to lots of restaurants and small shops
Call for best price
Jardin des Douars
- Perfect for families and couples alike
- Two heated swimming pools
- Superb food
From £53/night · breakfast
Riad Zahra
- A perfect combination of a superb location and great value for money
- Basic, but charming, accommodation within a five minute stroll to the centre
- Looking out over a large beach and within walking distance of the medina
From £65/night · room only
Sofitel Mogador Golf and Spa
- A luxury five star hotel and spa overlooking the ocean
- A number of fabulous dining options
- A fantastic spa on site
From £41/night · room only
Ryad Al Madina
- Experience the true charm and style of Morocco
- Amazing roof terrace with sofas and chairs allows you views of the surrounding area
- A great place if you are looking for pure relaxation
Want to explore the rest of Morocco?
Our top recommended hotels across Morocco — on and off the water — perfect to weave into a tailor-made tour with your Essaouira stay.
Around
£575/night
Royal Mansour
Casablanca Discover this hotel →
Around
£400/night
Riad Kheirredine
Marrakesh Discover this hotel →
Palais De L'o
Marrakesh Discover this hotel →
Around
£980/night
Mandarin Oriental Marrakech
Marrakesh Discover this hotel →
Around
£250/night
Scarabeo Camp Agafay
Marrakesh Discover this hotel →
Around
£800/night
Olinto Atlas Mountain Retreat
Atlas Mountains Discover this hotel →
Around
£220/night
Le Doge Hotel And Spa
Casablanca Discover this hotel →
Around
£500/night
Four Seasons Casablanca
Casablanca Discover this hotel →
Around
£500/night
El Fenn
Marrakesh Discover this hotel →
Around
£1,000/night
Royal Mansour Marrakech
Marrakesh Discover this hotel →
Around
£240/night
Kasbah Du Toubkal
Atlas Mountains Discover this hotel →
Around
£220/night
Riad Talaa12
Marrakesh Discover this hotel →
Around
£160/night
Jnanec Tamsna
Marrakesh Discover this hotel →
Around
£220/night
Les Jardins De La Medina Marrakech
Marrakesh Discover this hotel →
Around
£120/night
Radisson Blu Resort Taghazout Bay Surf Village
Taghazout Discover this hotel →
The Hyatt Place
Taghazout Discover this hotel →
Around
£190/night
Kasbah Agounsane
Atlas Mountains Discover this hotel →Kitesurf, plus the Morocco you'd hate to miss
Combine your Essaouira stay with everything else worth travelling for — every tour built around your dates, level and budget.
Best of Dakhla - East vs West lagoon
Dakhla is one of the best windsurf / Kitesurf / Wing Foiling locations on the Planet, but your experience will be very much determined by the specific property (and it's location). Sometimes it's hard to choose, so don't! This tour combines 2 opposite sides of the lagoon, in our 2 favourite accommodations, giving you the best of both worlds. You can extend your time in Dakhla with Casablanca, Marrakech, Atlas Mountains, Agadir (surfing at Taghazout) or Fez. Speak to an expert who can put together your perfect itinerary.
From £1,300 pp · Discover this tour →
Dakhla and Highlights of Morocco
This tour combines Dakhla Lagoon with some of the key highlights of the rest of Morocco, including Casablanca, Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains. This is a great tour for families or couples who want to combine world-class ocean sports in Dakhla, with some of the main highlights of this amazing country.
From £1,700 pp · Discover this tour →Talk to a Kitesurf travel expert — not a call centre.
Tell us your dates, your level and what a perfect week looks like. We'll come back with a shortlist of spots with the right conditions and the right hotel — usually within one working day.
Book your free consultation
Mon–Fri 9am–6pm
