Coined as the 'Windy City of Africa', Essaouira is perched on the Atlantic coast and is studded with sandy beaches that make for an excellent place to go kitesurfing. The town of Essaouira is easily accessible, and the flat water lagoons with solid tides make it an ideal destination for kitesurfing. Even though the picturesque town of Essaouira might be a lesser-known city among kitesurfing enthusiasts, it is studded with kitesurfing schools all around. Moreover, tourists can also enjoy exploring Morocco's ancient sites and rich culture; when in Essaouira.
Kitesurfing Season in Essaouira
Essaouira experiences strong winds throughout the year, especially during summer, i.e., April through June. The trade winds observe an acceleration as the thermal winds kick in during the summer months. For example, the winds might rise to 40 knots during June, while usually, they are at an average of 20 knots in summer. While the average temperature of the town is 30 degrees during the summer months, the temperature for water remains at a range of 17-22 degrees. Therefore, a thin water suit is recommended for riders who wish to opt for kitesurfing in Essaouira. Moreover, Essaouira offers other waves and flat waters to kitesurfing enthusiasts, making it an ideal place to go kitesurfing.
Kitesurfing Locations
1. Essaouira Main Beach
The main beach of Essaouira offers the perfect kitesurfing circumstances. The large sandy beach offers choppy waters, with some pleasant waves towards the left.
Wind: heading towards the right
Yes, waves (more prominent on the left side of the beach)
Shorebreak: No
2. Essaouira Lagoon
Essaouira Lagoon is a small lagoon located 2 kms towards the south of Essaouira Main Beach. Since it is located towards the river mouth, it varies in depth daily. It is also known as the second beach and is preferred by beginners as a kitesurfing spot.
3. Moulay
A 20-minute drive towards the north of the main town, the small sandy beach of Moulay Bouzerktoun is an excellent kitesurfing spot with great waves.
Best Time to Visit Moulay: March to June
Kind of Waves: 1.5-3 mts
4. Sidi Kaouki
Sidi Kaouki is a 20-minute drive south of Essaouira. The large open sand beach of Sidi Kaouki has consistent yet offshore winds coming from the south, making it an ideal spot for kitesurfing. A little square in front of the broad main beach is home to two surf shops, a few modest restaurants, camels, and several wandering donkeys.
5. Imsouane
Imsouane, about an hour and a half drive from Essaouira town, used to be a modest fishing village and is famous as a kitesurfing and surfing destination.But what makes this kite site so unique is the variety of the waves. Tourists can head to the Western bay area for the more giant waves or try out the South bay area for some shorter waves. Moreover, the popular Cathedral point is gifted with one of the tallest waves in Africa, called "La Bay" or "la be." Once you get aboard, you may expect a relatively smooth ride that can occasionally last up to 3 kilometers.
What to Do When There is No Wind
There are rarely any no-wind days in Essaouira, however on such days, you can try the following activities:
Stroll through the old Medina, enroll in yoga classes, go paddle boarding, experience windsurfing or wakeboarding, take a horseback safari, go mountain biking, or ride a camel. Play a round of golf, go on a cultural tour, or get a professional massage.
Requirements & Tips
- Take a way to call or signal for assistance if you are traveling alone.
- It would be best to never ride farther than you can swim back.
- Failure of equipment does happen. Be prepared.
- Check what sizes other riders are riding. Avoid going out if you don't have the correct size.
- Follow the safety recommendations provided by the BKSA, the sport's regulating body, and other expert organizations.
- Check the weather and tides. Don't head out in hazardous conditions.
- Kite with a partner if you are a beginner.