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Surf spot guide · Central Morocco, Morocco
Sheltered Atlantic beachbreak in a windsurfing town - small, forgiving peaks on the rare days the trade wind drops.
Essaouira is a mellow beachbreak inside a wide crescent bay on Morocco's central Atlantic coast, partially sheltered by Ile de Mogador just offshore. Waves break over sand in short sections of around 50m or less, producing soft, crumbly peaks that wander up and down the beach with no fixed takeoff zone. The bay filters most of the swell energy reaching it, so the wave runs small and forgiving rather than powerful, making it one of the more approachable learner spots in the region. The town itself is better known as a wind sports capital: the Alize trade wind drives hard from the NE for much of spring and summer, lighting up windsurfing and kitesurfing here and at Moulay Bouzerktoun up the coast, and reducing surf days to the brief windows when that wind eases. Useful surf typically arrives on a SW through N swell with light easterly offshore. Access is straight off the beach next to the medina. Jimi Hendrix famously spent time in nearby Diabat in 1969.
Northwest swells groom long sand into rideable walls for half the year.
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Central Morocco
Sensitive right-hand point south of Essaouira with multiple sections, only working on mid tide and easterly winds.
Central Morocco
Long open beachbreak south of Essaouira with shifting punchy peaks and a touch of reef at each end.
Central Morocco
Remote right-hand point tucked behind Cape Tafelney with extra peaks running down to a rivermouth beach.
The lineup is busy when the rare clean surf days line up because the spot sits inside a tourist town with multiple surf schools, but on most days the strong cross-onshore wind keeps surfer numbers low.
Windsurf town, mellow learner bay
Check the forecast early - the NE Alize trade wind usually fills in by mid-morning and shuts surf down for the day
Aim for autumn or winter swell windows when the trade wind eases and W to NW groundswells push into the bay
Cap Sim and Sidi Kaouki south of town pick up more swell on the same days if Essaouira looks flat
Park near the medina and walk straight onto the beach - no formal car park is needed
HAZARDS · KNOW BEFORE YOU PADDLE
The lineup is busy when the rare clean surf days line up because the spot sits inside a tourist town with multiple surf schools, but on most days the strong cross-onshore wind keeps surfer numbers low.
Windsurf town, mellow learner bay
Walk straight onto the beach from the edge of the medina or the seafront promenade. No formal car park is signposted in the source data, but roadside parking is available around the town. No paddle approach or hike required.
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