Best Kitesurfing in Essaouira: What to Know in 2024

If you’re planning to go kitesurfing in Essaouira then you’re in for a real treat. See, the super strong winds that come in off the Atlantic make Essaouira the kitesurfing capital of Morocco.

Sure, kitesurfing Essaouira is always a good idea. However, the months of July and August are the best time to go kitesurfing in Essaouira since the winds are at their strongest and pretty much tear up the beach.

So, plan a summer visit to this amazing Moroccan beach town and get ready for the ride of your life. Trust me, I live in Essaouira and have been in Morocco since January 2023.

Therefore, I have been kitesurfing more times than I can count. What I can say is that it is HARD. Yeah, I am terrible at it and always have a hard time controlling the kite while maintaining my balance on the board.

TBH, I kind of feel like I am gonna die the whole time, but that’s part of the fun (LOL). All kidding aside, some of the best places for kitesurfing in Essaouira offer you great lessons and rent you professional-grade gear.

This way you’ll know exactly what you’re doing and have the time of your life trying this amazing sport. Just remember that it is very much not easy and you’ll need to give yourself plenty of time to get the hang of it.

You also need to be at least somewhat physically fit since controlling the kite and maintaining your balance on the board requires a fair bit of strength and stamina.

But, when you finally get the hang of it, the feeling you get from kitesurfing is incredible. You’ll cruise across the ocean and soar to new hits as you hit an epic wave.

Just head to the far end of the Main Beach (so walk away from the Medina towards Beach and Friends) and you’ll find all of the best kitesurfing schools in Essaouira giving lessons.

That’s because the direction of the wind makes this a safer place to learn, unlike other parts of the beach and Diabat, which is where more experienced kitesurfers go to hit the waves.

I also highly recommend wearing a wet suit since the water here is hella cold, especially if you’re spending hours in it. Do this and you will have an incredible time kitesurfing the day away in Essaouira.

For more awesome local advice, have a look at this detailed guide and find out everything you need to know about kitesurfing in Essaouira.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure for more information. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

Best Essaouira Kitesurfing Schools

There are a ton of different kitesurfing schools in Essaouira. So, whether you’re a total beginner or an absolute expert, you’ll be able to find lessons and a school that are perfect for you. Some of the best places to learn kitesurfing are:

• Kitesurf Essaouira Maroc Yalla – I have been to this school before and the instructors are next-level amazing. Not only are they patient but they have such a positive attitude that you are always excited to learn more. My instructor was Zak (junior) and he showed me how to control the kite, went over the safety rules, and used nothing but the highest quality equipment. It’s also a great place to meet other people and enjoy a fun day out on the water in Essaouira. The staff are also lovely and go out of their way to make sure that you have an incredible experience. So, if you’re looking for things to do in Essaouira with kids who are older then this place is a solid choice.

• Essaouira Watersports – This well-reviewed Essaouira surf/kitesurfing school is another great place to go to enjoy this amazing sport or to try any other watersport you can think of. You can learn kitesurfing, enhance your skills, or hang out with some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet. Everyone is there to help you and the staff always have great advice. This way you can have the best experience possible and make amazing progress during your lesson. This progress helps you stay motivated so that you want to learn more.

• KitesurfMaroc: Kitesurf Essaouira, Surf Essaouira – This is another epic kitesurfing school in Essaouira. See, the pros at KitesurfMaroc are amazing at what they do. They share their passion and love of the sport while making you feel completely welcome and like you’re part of the family. Their lessons are safe and enjoyable and you can stop by their on-site Essaouira cafe for some great food and drinks after an exhausting, but fun, lesson.

• Kite and Surf Essaouira – Shout out to the amazing people over at Kite and Surf Essaouira. I had my very first beginner lesson here and Ayoub was a legend. During my three-hour lesson, he demonstrated tremendous patience and kept repeating instructions as needed in a kind and respectful way. This built my confidence as I slowly figured out how to control the kite. I had a ton of fun and would happily book a lesson again.

• BleuKite Essaouira – The staff at BleuKite Essaouira are professional and go out of their way to make you feel warm and welcome. The instructors make excellent coaches and their courses are well-structured so that you can progress as you learn the sport. The staff are also super passionate and share their passion with you while keeping you safe.

Generally, lessons cost anywhere between €60.00 for a 2-hour group lesson and €385.00 for a 12-hour, semi-private lesson. However, prices do vary by school and whether you get a private, semi-private, or group lesson.

So, learning this sport can be pricey and is definitely not one of the epic free things to do in Essaouira.

If you are new to kitesurfing, I would try a shorter lesson. This way you can see how you like it and how your arms respond to maneuvering/controlling the kite.

Remember, this sport takes a lot of upper body strength. So, there is no point in doing a 12-hour lesson if your arms are shot after an hour. Been there, done that and it was a total waste of money.

Also, do NOT expect to master kitesurfing in one lesson. Learning this sport takes time and you will need a few lessons before you feel confident in the water and controlling the kite.

Local Tip: Some of these schools also host great surfing camps in Essaouira.

You can also check out some campgrounds in Essaouira if you want to save money on accommodations and even do some yoga in Essaouira during some of these camps.

Best Time to Go Kitesurfing in Essaouira

The best time to visit Essaouira for kitesurfing is in July and August when the winds are at their strongest. For context, you can expect average wind speeds of 35kmph, with gusts of 55+kmph, during the windiest months in Essaouira.

However, the kitesurfing season in Essaouira begins at the end of March and continues through September. In reality, though, there is always wind in Essaouira. Therefore, there is no bad time to visit Essaouira for kitesurfing.

I would just spend at least a couple of days in Essaouira so that you can get a feel for the sport and have the opportunity to rebook a lesson if you encounter a not-so-windy day.

Additionally, if you plan to visit in January, or during Ramadan, make sure your school is open since many places close at this time of the year. Other than that, schools in Essaouira remain open year round.

How Physically Fit Do You Need to Be for Kitesurfing?

The short answer is that you need to be at least somewhat physically fit to enjoy kitesurfing. Generally, the equipment is pretty lightweight. So, you don’t need a ton of muscle strength to control your kite.

Plus, the harness that you wear around your waist helps distribute the force of the kite throughout your body. Therefore, if you use the right technique then kitesurfing doesn’t require a ton of strength.

Yeah, massive strength is really only required if you’re an expert and are doing sick tricks out on the water.

Generally, beginners will spend their time learning how to control the kite on the beach in Essaouira before hitting the water.

That being said, being active and physically fit will help you learn the sport faster, give you the stamina to stay out in the water longer, and help you avoid injury.

For me, the hardest part was using my arms to control the kite, My arms got super tired and I kind of wish I had done a bit of strength training before I started my first lesson.

But, if you have strong arms then you should be just fun and have an amazing time kitesurfing in Essaouira.

What is the Minimum Age for Kitesurfing?

If you have kids and wondering if this is one of the best things to do in Essaouira for them, just remember that the YOUNGEST kite surfers start at around 6 or 7 years old.

However, this is the exception and not the rule. Generally, the age at which a child can start kitesurfing depends on the kid, their upper body strength, and how much they want to learn.

Typically, most kids start learning the sport at around 12 or 14 years old. But, if you’re unsure, just contact your kitesurfing school and ask them for more info before you book a lesson.

Do You Need to Wear in Wetsuit for Kitesurfing?

Yes, you absolutely need to wear a wetsuit for kitesurfing since the water in Essaouira is NOT warm.

Trust me, I have gone swimming and kitesurfing many times and you will freeze your ass off and have a miserable time if you do not wear a wetsuit.

I know they look terrible and make you feel like a giant sausage but people wear them for a REASON. That’s because water temperatures range between a cold 16°C (61°F) in March to a warmer 22°C (72°F) in September.

That may sound nice (especially in September) but remember that strong winds often make the water feel a lot colder than it is.

Therefore, be sure to wear the wetsuit that your kitesurfing school will give you. They can look a bit worn but they get the job done.

If you’re concerned, just ask your school about it and they will be happy to guide you since you may need a thicker wet suit when the water is a bit colder.

Conclusion

That wraps up this guide to kitesurfing in Essaouira. I hope you liked it and understand that July and August are the best months to visit if you want to try this amazing sport.

Just give yourself time to learn since this is not an easy sport and you will not master it after a single lesson. You’ll need time to understand how to control the kite and how to move through the water.

Thankfully, you now have a list of the best kitesurfing schools in Essaouira. These are amazing places where you can go and learn about this iconic sport. Just remember to wear the wetsuit they give you since the water can be cold.

Then, after your lesson, and a great day in Essaouira, relax with some alcohol in Essaouira at one of the best bars in Essaouira. In fact, Ocean Vagabond is an amazing beach bar with a chill vibe and stunning views of the ocean.

If you’re a Moroccan digital nomad then you could always chill at a coworking space in Essaouira and get some work done. Regardless, definitely relax after spending the entire day out on the water.

If you enjoyed this post, be sure to join our email list and Facebook group for even more awesome Morocco travel tips.

Finally, please consider buying me a coffee. It’s a great way to say “thank you” for all the free content you receive. No amount is too small and anything you can give will be greatly appreciated.