Good to know
Good to Know
- Essaouira beaches are windy year-round due to Atlantic trade winds; best for water sports, less ideal for sunbathing unless you seek protection.
- Main beach next to medina is safe for children with shallow waters and pram-friendly promenade; significantly quieter in September-November.
- Sidi Kaouki (25km south) is Morocco's premier surf destination with less wind than Essaouira town; lively bohemian atmosphere with established watersports infrastructure.
- Assafi Beach (far north) and Diabat (south) offer escape from July-August crowds with family-friendly quiet vibes and tide pools.
- Camel rides are ubiquitous; bargain hard and expect to pay no more than 50 MAD for decent rates, though better encounters exist in nearby Diabat.
- Evening beach promenade on main beach becomes a 'nightlife mile' with popcorn vendors, snail sellers, lounge bars, and local families—very social and authentic.
- For respectful beach wear: bikinis are acceptable in front of resorts/restaurants; main medina-adjacent beach traditionally sees women fully covered.
- Water is cool year-round; swimmers should be prepared for refreshing Atlantic conditions.
Beaches
Essaouira Main Beach (Plage Tagharte / Town Beach)
- Distance From Center
- Adjacent to medina
- Description
- Wide 2km sandy beach adjacent to the medina with a paved promenade. Shallow waters safe for children; sunbeds available for rent. Home to a play area with trampolines and kids' surf lessons.
Designations
- family
- full-service
- quiet
Characteristics
- Crowd Level
- Can be crowded mid-July to August; quieter September-November
- Water Conditions
- Cool Atlantic water; strong winds common, especially August-July (ideal for watersports, less ideal for sunbathing)
- Family Notes
- Very pram-friendly with level promenade; local families frequent afternoon and weekends; football buddies available for kids
Amenities
- ice cream stalls
- popcorn vendors
- cane juice stands
- lounge bars
- children's play area with trampolines
Activities
- swimming
- surfing
- windsurfing
- kitesurfing
- camel rides
- horse rides
- beach football
Assafi Beach
- Distance From Center
- Northern end of Essaouira, ~5km
- Description
- Less-visited serene beach with wide sandy stretches, dramatic cliffs, and natural tide pools. Remote feel with untouched landscape and panoramic Atlantic views.
Designations
- quiet
- family
Characteristics
- Crowd Level
- Rarely visited by tourists; ideal for escaping crowds in July-August high season
- Water Conditions
- Strong Atlantic winds; beach is wind-swept and elemental
- Family Notes
- Big dunes to play in; rockpools to explore; excellent for families seeking peace and space
Amenities
- small simple seafood restaurant
Activities
- walking
- tide pool exploring
- photography
- dune exploration
Sidi Kaouki Beach
- Distance From Center
- ~25km south of Essaouira
- Description
- Iconic surf destination with lively coastal atmosphere. Often less windy than Essaouira; perfect for sun-bathing, yoga, and long beach walks.
Designations
- party
- full-service
Characteristics
- Crowd Level
- Lively in high season; draws thrill-seekers and adventurous travelers; local fishermen and kids mingle along shore
- Water Conditions
- Strong northeast winds; dramatic breaking waves impressive tubes; better for windsurfing/kitesurfing July-August
- Notes
- More bohemian, adventurous vibe; well-developed watersports infrastructure
Amenities
- surf schools
- beach cafes
- restaurants
Activities
- surfing
- windsurfing
- kitesurfing
- swimming
- yoga
- relaxing
Diabat Beach
- Distance From Center
- ~6km south of Essaouira
- Description
- Tranquil beach with magnificent bay views and Essaouira medina backdrop. Home to historic 18th-century Borj El Berod (Borj el Baroud) ruin with waves lapping against weathered stone.
Designations
- quiet
- family
Characteristics
- Crowd Level
- Quiet and peaceful; good for families seeking escape
- Water Conditions
- Sandy beach with rocky fortress backdrop; tidal patterns (river impassable at high tide)
- Family Notes
- Excellent camel encounters nearby; walking to inland Diabat village possible; good for families
Amenities
- historic ruins
- camel encounters
Activities
- walking
- historic site exploration
- photography
- camel rides
Cap Sim Beach & Dunes
- Distance From Center
- South of Diabat, accessible from main beach via walking
- Description
- Sand dunes of Cap Sim; wild and remote energy with natural beauty.
Designations
- quiet
Characteristics
- Amenities
- Minimal
- Crowd Level
- Remote and isolated from main town
- Water Conditions
- Strong Atlantic winds; wild landscape
Activities
- walking
- dune exploration
- sand boarding
- nature immersion
Ord Omar Beach (Second Beach)
- Distance From Center
- Just south of Essaouira
- Description
- Long, dune-backed stretch popular with intermediate and advanced surfers and kitesurfers. Steady winds; bigger surf than Essaouira town beach.
Designations
- party
- full-service
Characteristics
- Crowd Level
- Fewer people than main beach; more space for water sports
- Water Conditions
- Steady winds; bigger surf conditions; strong Atlantic swells
- Notes
- More energetic, adventurous vibe; good for experienced riders
Amenities
- fresh seafood vendors along beach
- nearby cliffs with panoramic views
- river estuary for birdwatching
Activities
- surfing
- kitesurfing
- advanced water sports
- picnicking
- birdwatching (stilts, redshanks, sanderlings)
Plage Safi
- Distance From Center
- ~2 hours north of Essaouira (north of Safi)
- Description
- Long sandy stretch just north of Safi town. Calm pace with family-friendly atmosphere; known for summer surfing and famous 'Garden' point break.
Designations
- family
- quiet
Characteristics
- Crowd Level
- Family-oriented; relaxed beach cafes
- Water Conditions
- Calm on many days; powerful summer waves for experienced surfers
- Family Notes
- Excellent family destination; pottery-making tradition adds cultural element
Amenities
- surf school
- relaxed beach cafes
- nearby pottery hill (Colline des Potiers)
Activities
- surfing
- family swimming
- pottery shopping
- cultural exploration
Moulay Bozerktoun
- Distance From Center
- ~14km north of Essaouira
- Description
- Small fishing village with wild beach and raw natural beauty; world-class waves; iconic spot for experienced water sports enthusiasts.
Designations
- party
Characteristics
- Amenities
- Minimal; village infrastructure
- Crowd Level
- Draws experienced windsurfers, surfers, kitesurfers from around globe
- Water Conditions
- Wild Atlantic swell; world-class breaking waves; strong winds
- Notes
- Serious water sports destination; not family-oriented
Activities
- advanced surfing
- windsurfing
- kitesurfing
- fishing village exploration
Northern Beach (Assafi Stretch)
- Distance From Center
- North of medina ramparts
- Description
- Rockpools and sandy stretches north of ramparts; rarely visited by tourists.
Designations
- quiet
Characteristics
- Amenities
- Minimal
- Crowd Level
- Never really cleaned; rarely visited; litter problem noted
- Water Conditions
- Atlantic winds; rocky outcrops with tidal pools
- Notes
- Authentic, off-the-beaten-path feel; environmental debris issue
Activities
- tide pool exploration
- solitude
- broken ceramic collecting
Bhaibah Beach
- Distance From Center
- South of Essaouira (day trip distance)
- Description
- Rugged landscape with pockets of scrubland; ideal for those seeking peace and slow-paced beach time.
Designations
- quiet
Characteristics
- Crowd Level
- Very quiet; peaceful
- Water Conditions
- Wild Atlantic environment
Amenities
- beachfront café for mint tea
- fresh seafood grilled by locals
Activities
- relaxation
- late afternoon sunbathing
- mint tea
- fresh seafood
General Notes
- Practical Tips
- Sunbathing can be difficult due to Atlantic winds; sunbeds available on main beach for calmer days. Kitesurfing and windsurfing rentals readily available. Horse and camel rides commonly available. Beach promenade evening scene includes food vendors and local families.
- Dress Code Cultural
- Essaouira is more relaxed than inland Morocco; bikinis acceptable in resort/restaurant areas; main beach near medina: women traditionally fully covered. Respectful attire recommended, especially in medina.
- Environmental Note
- Plastic waste documented on some stretches, particularly northern beaches; consider contributing to cleanup efforts
Seasonal Notes
- High season
- July-August (crowded; wind conditions ideal for sports)
- Rainiest Months
- November-February (average 1.2 inches/month, minimal)
- Windiest Months
- July-August (20°C (68°F) air temperature despite Atlantic winds; ideal for windsurfing/kitesurfing)
- Best Family Swimming
- Essaouira main beach and Plage Safi; shallow waters
- Best For Beach Activities
- September-November (calmer winds, pleasant temperatures)
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this beaches research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Essaouira
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.