Essaouira
The bay of the «wind city»: soft waves for learning and a kite paradise.
Essaouira, a walled UNESCO World Heritage town, has a large sandy bay sheltered by islands. Its waves are soft and it's a good place to learn in winter, with board hire right on the beach.
The northerly wind blows almost all year, especially in summer: that's why it's called the wind city and is a kite and windsurf destination.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Beach break |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | Beginner |
| Best swell | NW, W, SW |
| Best wind (offshore) | E, SE, NE |
| Tide | All tides |
| Size | 0.5–1.5 m |
| Best season | Winter; in summer the wind rules |
| Crowd | Medium |
| Localism | Low |
Surf forecast
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Hour-by-hour forecast for 14 days, with stars for your board and level, and the whole site without ads.
Model forecast for open water a few kilometres offshore: it can't see sandbanks or the shelter of headlands and jetties. The rating (0–5) is worked out from this spot's ideal swell and wind. Use it as a guide and check the sea before paddling out. Data: Open-Meteo (DWD, ECMWF; CC BY 4.0)
Which board to bring
A minimalibu, funboard or longboard. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf Essaouira
The water is around 16 °C in winter and 20 °C in late summer. This is what we'd bring for this spot's water, level and boards.
The autumn-to-spring suit for water at 12–16 °C.
View on AmazonWarm feet in winter and protection on rocks.
View on AmazonThe safest, easiest board to learn on here.
View on AmazonKeeps your board from drifting off or hitting someone.
View on AmazonHold and smooth turns for a single fin.
View on AmazonWarm-water wax won't grip in this water.
View on AmazonAmazon affiliate links: if you buy through them, Shapers Europe earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Localism and vibe
A calm, touristy vibe.
Surfing style
Soft waves for learning.
Hazards
Strong wind and kites in the water.
Map
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Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.