Essaouira windsurfing holidays, with the Morocco experts.
The wind in Essaouira predominantly blows cross offshore from the right, directly next to the center, but due to the shape of the beach, downwind it will blow cross shore.
The Essaouira season at a glance
The months we'd pick for windsurfing in Essaouira are highlighted below, from our own time sailing here.
Why you'll love windsurfing in Essaouira!
The Wind In Essaouira
The wind in Essaouira predominantly blows cross offshore from the right, directly next to the center, but due to the shape of the beach, downwind it will blow cross shore. 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 windsurfers 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 Morrocco has views of spectacular sunsets!
The wind in Essaouira blows strongest from July until August, and in these months it is regularly a very, very high wind destination, yet the wind is reliable all the way from April until November.
The Spot In Essaouria.
Essaouira has a huge 4 Km of very wide beach, allowing easy water starting and learning (although remember this is a strong wind location) The long gentle waves are ideal for first time wave riders as there is plenty of space for messing up and nothing but sand nder foot and on the beach.
Close to the centre is the main wave spot, 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, depending on the tide, is a flat water spot great for freestyle and improvers.
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 beautiful hand crafted pots, rugs, glassware, materials, clothes, and much, much more.
Other options are Kitesurfing, 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 sailed here and know the hotels we sell in Morocco first hand. Give us your dates and level and we'll say whether Essaouira is the right choice.
Skill level match
How Essaouira works for windsurfers at each level.
Independent with rental 100%
Waves 100%
Learn To Windsurf 30%
Improver with lessons 30%
Windsurf, plus everything else you'd hate to miss
Tours that pair Essaouira with other places worth seeing. Each one is planned around your dates and budget.
Best of Dakhla - East vs West lagoon
From £1,300 ppDakhla 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.
Discover this tour →
Dakhla and Highlights of Morocco
From £1,700 ppThis 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.
Discover this tour →Recommended hotels in Essaouira
We've stayed in these and checked how they work for a windsurf trip. They're the ones we'd pick in Essaouira.
Live price check
From £109/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 £267/night · bed & breakfast
Heure Bleue Palais
- Elegant Relais & Châteaux palace in Essaouira’s historic medina
- Rooftop pool with panoramic views across the city and ocean
- Refined Moroccan dining, traditional hammam and luxurious spa treatments
From £129/night · bed and 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
We lose sleep so you don’t.
We take every booking personally. This is what that means once your windsurf holiday is booked.
Your money is held in trust
Everything you pay goes into a trust account, separate from our business, and stays there until after your holiday. If we ever stopped trading, it would come back to you.
Booked and checked before you fly
Flights, transfers, the room you chose, your board and sail hire or lessons. All of it is confirmed before you leave home, and the transfer company's drivers turn up and speak English.
A phone call before you go
Documents, visas, whether to take your own board or hire one. If something is on your mind, ask. You'll be talking to the person who booked your trip.
WhatsApp, day and night
Late transfer, wrong room, hire kit that isn't what you asked for. Message or call one number at any hour, and the person who answers knows your holiday.
Talk to a windsurfer who knows the spots.
Tell us when you can go, what you sail and whether you're after flat water or waves. You'll get a shortlist of spots and hotels back, usually within one working day.
Book your free consultation
Mon–Thu 9am–6pm, Fri–Sat 9am–5pm
Camocim And Maceio