Desert or beach? In southern Morocco you do not have to choose. A Sahara and Atlantic coast tour takes you from the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi to the fishing ports and long beaches of the ocean in less than a week, crossing some of the most varied landscapes in North Africa on the way: High Atlas passes, kasbahs, river gorges, the Anti-Atlas, argan forests and walled cities.
Here is the itinerary of our 6-day Sahara & Atlantic coast private tour, with honest advice on the long stretches.
Day 1: Marrakech to Ouarzazate via Aït Ben Haddou
You cross the High Atlas over the Tizi n'Tichka and spend the afternoon in Aït Ben Haddou, the fortified village classified by UNESCO. The night is spent in Ouarzazate, gateway to the South. Our Aït Ben Haddou guide explains the best time to visit.
Day 2: Valley of Roses, Dades and Todra
The road follows the "road of a thousand kasbahs" through Skoura and Kelaat M'Gouna, with a stop in the Dades gorges before reaching the Todra and its oasis of Tinghir in the evening. Our guides to the Dades valley and the Todra gorge describe the best walks.
Day 3: Todra to Merzouga, camel ride and desert camp
A morning walk in the narrow Todra canyon, then the drive east to Merzouga. In the late afternoon you ride a camel into the dunes of Erg Chebbi and watch the sun set from a crest before dinner and a night in the camp. Read our Merzouga guide to make the most of it.
Day 4: the long road from the desert to the ocean
This is the big transition day of the Sahara and Atlantic coast tour, and we will be honest: it is long. From Merzouga to Agadir is roughly 10 to 11 hours of driving, via Tinejdad, Ouarzazate and the Anti-Atlas. We leave at sunrise, stop often — for lunch, for photos of the Anti-Atlas, for a mint tea in the saffron region of Taliouine — and arrive on the coast in the evening.
If you prefer a gentler rhythm, we strongly suggest adding a night on the way, in Ouarzazate or in Taliouine, turning the trip into a seven-day circuit. That is exactly what our 7-day grand tour does via Zagora and Taroudant.
Day 5: Taroudant, argan trees and Essaouira
After the desert, the Souss valley feels lush. You visit Taroudant, nicknamed "little Marrakech", whose ochre ramparts run for several kilometres around a lively, untouristy medina with two souks. Our Taroudant guide gives you the best things to see.
The road then heads north through the argan forest, where goats sometimes climb into the trees, with a stop at a women's argan cooperative — see our argan cooperative guide. In the afternoon you reach the coast and the white-and-blue town of Essaouira.
Day 6: Essaouira and back to Marrakech
Spend the morning in Essaouira: the ramparts of the Skala, the fishing port with its blue boats, the medina listed by UNESCO and a seafood lunch at the port stalls. Surfers can book a lesson on the beach or, further south, at Taghazout. Our Essaouira travel guide has all the tips. In the afternoon, you drive back to Marrakech in about two and a half to three hours.
The contrast with the desert is part of the magic. A few days earlier you were watching the stars from a dune; now you hear gulls over the harbour, smell grilled sardines and feel the trade wind that made Essaouira a capital of windsurfing and kitesurfing. If you visit in June, you may even catch the Gnaoua World Music Festival, when the Gnawa rhythms you heard in Khamlia fill the squares of the medina.
Who is the Sahara and Atlantic coast tour for?
- Travellers who want two holidays in one: the desert adventure and a few relaxed days by the sea.
- Surfers who want to see the Sahara before heading to the waves — our Taghazout guide covers the surf village north of Agadir.
- Couples looking for contrast: a night under the stars, then a sea-view riad. See our honeymoon itinerary.
- Anyone flying home from Agadir or Essaouira: the tour can end on the coast instead of returning to Marrakech.
Tips for desert and ocean in one trip
- Pack for two climates: warm layers for desert nights, a swimsuit and windbreaker for the coast — Essaouira is famously windy.
- Time your coast days: the Atlantic is cooler than the Mediterranean; swimming is best from June to October.
- Leave space in your luggage for argan oil, spices and Essaouira's thuya wood crafts.
- Consider seven days: the extra night removes the only really long day.
Book your desert and ocean circuit
Like all our circuits, this Sahara and Atlantic coast tour is private and organised by Rouasse Travels with licensed transport partners: air-conditioned vehicle, professional driver, hotel pickup in Marrakech, accommodation selected to match your budget and assistance throughout. Activities such as surfing, a boat trip from Agadir or a Moroccan cooking class can be added. Send us your dates on WhatsApp for a personalised quote, or compare all routes in our guide to multi-day tours from Marrakech.
