Essaouira's nickname, the "Wind City of Africa", is not marketing. The trade winds that cool the town in summer have made it one of the best places in North Africa to learn kitesurfing, while the winter swells light up the reefs and beaches of Sidi Kaouki and Moulay Bouzerktoun. In between, the spots host competitions that draw riders from around the world: surf and kitesurf in Essaouira is a year-round story.
Here is your guide to surf and kitesurf in Essaouira in 2027: when to come, how to choose a camp and which events to put in your diary.
Wind and swell: the two seasons
| Period | Conditions | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| April – September | Strong, regular trade winds, especially in the afternoon | Kitesurf, windsurf, wing foil |
| October – March | Lighter wind, bigger Atlantic swells | Surf (Sidi Kaouki, Moulay Bouzerktoun, Imsouane) |
| Spring and autumn | Mix of both, fewer crowds | All-rounders, beginners |
The water is cool all year — roughly 17°C in winter and 20–21°C at the end of summer — so a 4/3 wetsuit is the norm. Our kitesurfing in Essaouira guide goes into detail about the spots and the wind.
Kite and surf camps
Kitesurf: the schools are concentrated on the long beach south of the medina, where the bay is wide, sandy and side-shore. Most beginners need 8 to 12 hours of lessons, spread over several days, before riding independently; many schools sell packages with accommodation. Choose an internationally certified school with radio helmets and a clear safety briefing.
Surf: surf houses and camps are found in Essaouira, in Ghazoua and especially in Sidi Kaouki, half an hour south, where the long beach suits all levels. Experienced surfers head to Moulay Bouzerktoun or, further south, to Imsouane, home of one of Morocco's longest right-hand waves.
Wing foil and windsurf: both are taught by several schools in the bay and are good options on very windy days.
Surf and kitesurf in Essaouira: events to watch in 2027
- Wave Classic Moulay — the international windsurf wave contest at Moulay Bouzerktoun, 25 km north of Essaouira, a stop on the International Windsurfing Tour. The fourth edition ran from 25 April to 2 May 2026; local agendas list 25 April – 2 May 2027 for the next one. Watching the pros jump the Moulay waves from the beach is spectacular.
- Moroccan kitesurf championship — stages have been held in Essaouira in recent years, during the windy season. Dates are published by the national federation and the organising association each year.
- Local surf and bodyboard contests — small events are regularly organised in winter on the region's beaches; ask the surf schools when you arrive.
Outside the water, the coast also welcomes sporting adventures such as the Trek des Gazelles (a women's coastal trek, 19–24 October 2026) and the finish of the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles, traditionally celebrated on Essaouira's seafront in spring. All of them appear in our Essaouira events calendar.
Moving between the spots with your boards
The spots are spread along 100 km of coast, and buses do not take kite bags happily. A private driver makes everything simpler — we carry boards and kite bags on request:
| From Essaouira-Mogador airport to | Time | From (per vehicle) |
|---|---|---|
| Essaouira city and bay | about 20 min | €20 |
| Sidi Kaouki | about 25 min | €25 |
| Moulay Bouzerktoun | about 40 min | €35 |
| Imsouane | about 1 h 30 | €90 |
From Essaouira town, our Essaouira to Imsouane transfer includes surfboards, and from Marrakech the Marrakech to Essaouira transfer takes about 2 h 30. Tell us how many bags you have: we send an SUV or a van when the gear does not fit in a sedan.
Renting gear or bringing your own?
- Beginners: rent everything from the school — boards, kites, harness and wetsuits are included in most courses, and instructors choose the right size for the day's wind.
- Intermediate riders: rent locally for a short trip; bring your own harness and wetsuit for comfort.
- Experienced riders: bring your own boards and kites, especially for the waves of Moulay Bouzerktoun; book the sports equipment with your airline in advance.
Whatever you choose, tell us how many bags you carry: we send a vehicle with enough space.
Where to stay
Riders who want to walk to the kite beach stay on the beachfront; surfers often prefer Sidi Kaouki or Ghazoua; wave windsurfers base themselves at Moulay Bouzerktoun. Our guide to where to stay in Essaouira compares the options.
For friends who do not ride
Non-surfing partners have plenty to do: the medina, the port, horse rides on the beach or a day in the countryside on our full-day excursion to Sidi Kaouki and the argan route. And for the bigger picture of surfing the Moroccan coast, read our surfing in Morocco guide.
