Best Beaches in Essaouira: Epic Local Guide

Are you searching for the best beaches in Essaouira? Heck yeah, you are!

I mean, Essaouira is a BEACH town, so it only makes sense that you’ll want to work on your tan, walk along the sand, and go for a swim in the waters surrounding Essaouira.

Well, I am delighted to tell you that Essaouira has some amazing beaches, especially if you like surfing and kite surfing.

Yeah, Essaouira is super windy. So, it’s the perfect place to try awesome outdoor watersports. However, it is not so great for swimming since the water is cold and local temperatures are mild.

Therefore, if you are expecting Marrakech heat in Essaouira then that is just not gonna happen. I actually encourage you to bring a warm sweatshirt or fleece since this city can get quite cold, especially on a super windy day.

It’s also worth noting that while there are many beaches around Essaouira, Main Beach is probably the best.

Trust me, I have lived here since January of 2023 and have been to every beach in Essaouira. Yes, Main Beach is the most popular and touristy. But, it’s also by far the nicest beach in the area.

TBH though, I hate crowds and I still don’t find the beach overly crowded with people, unless it’s like the middle of summer.

Sure, you’ll always find people on the beach, even at 11:00 pm. However, you can always find a stretch of sand for yourself and have a great time on Main Beach.

Yes, there are other beaches near Essaouira. However, they are not as popular and that is usually for good reason.

But, I am gonna talk about all that and more in this local guide. I’ll introduce you to the best beaches in Essaouira and discuss the pros and cons of each one.

This way, you’ll know exactly which beach to visit in Essaouira based on what you want to do and your personal needs.

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Best Beaches in Essaouira

Main Beach

As the name so aptly suggests this is the MAIN Beach in Essaouira and is probably where you’ll spend the majority of your time enjoying some of the fun things to do in Essaouira.

It’s a wide, flat, 2-kilometer stretch of sand that extends from the fishing port (near the Medina) to the dunes near Essaouira restaurants like Beach and Friends or Ocean Vagabond. It’s lovely and one of the best beaches in Morocco.

I also love that the Main Beach has this massive promenade that you can walk along.

I basically walk here every day and it’s nice because there are no giant buildings or hotels on the sand, unlike Agadir and one of the differences between Essaouira and Agadir.

So, you can enjoy uninterrupted views of the Atlantic and watch amazing sunsets like the one above. Seriously, walking along Main Beach is one of my all-time fave things to do.

Generally, the sun sets just behind the fishing port when you are near the Medina and over the Atlantic the further you move away from the Medina. So, plan accordingly to get the best view possible.

If you get hungry along the way, you can stop at a vendor for some ice cream, sugar cane juice, or popcorn. You could also grab a drink and relax at one of the Essaouira cafes and restaurants that sits along the promenade.

Many of these spots actually serve alcohol in Essaouira, making them great places for a drink in Essaouira.

In terms of the water, it’s super shallow. Intense winds come off the Atlantic Ocean, so this is an EPIC spot for kitesurfing and surfing and is a must-visit during one day in Essaouira.

I love watching all the kites flying through the sky on a windy day at the beach in Essaouira. If you want to give it a try, stop at one of the schools located along the beach promenade and sign up for a lesson.

Otherwise, just enjoy one of the most relaxing free things to do in Essaouira. It’s a great place to go after a long trip from Agadir to Essaouira.

What to do at Main Beach

There are a ton of things to do at Main Beach to suit just about everyone. I am going to go over all of them so that you plan out how many days to spend in Essaouira. It’s also a safe place in Essaouira to visit at night.

Just be sure to plan your Essaouira outfits first so you’re prepared.

• Relax on the Beach – Check the weather for the day FIRST. It is not unusual for Essaouira to be cold and windy, even in the summer. This is why many hostels in Essaouira don’t come with AC! You also don’t want a face full of sand. Been there, done that and it sucks. If you want you can escape the intense rays of the sun and rent a sun lounger for 25 Dirhmans. PLEASE be careful in the sun. Many people severely underestimate how intense the sun is and get severely burnt. Please wear a hat, apply sunscreen, and limit exposure during midday – yeah, TED Talk is now over.

• Playground/Football(Soccer)/Basketball – I would say around halfway down the beach you find at awesome basketball court and football (soccer) area. People (mostly kids) are always playing and many people stop to sit and watch the games. This is a great place to bring kids so that they can run around and meet other kids. There is also a small playground with trampolines that costs like 10 Dirhams to use. Right now it looks pretty sad and I would not pay to use it.

Local Tip: If you want an okay playground for the kids then there is a small one at Moga Style coffee shop. It’s right across the street from the Supratours bus station and as you enter the coffee shop, it will be outside through a side door on your right. It’s just for small kids though and isn’t huge.

If you want a REALLY good playground for your kids then head to the Afriquia service station right next door to Carrefour. It’s like a giant truck stop designed for travelers. They serve food/coffee, have a convenience store, a gas station, and a gas station. My partner actually used to go to that playground as a kid and it looks awesome.

• Surfing/Kitesurfing in Essaouira – Most of the kite surfers and surfers concentrate around the end of the beach which is the furthest away from the Medina. However, you will find several shops along the beach promenade that offer rentals and lessons. If you can though, sign up for lessons with Moga Surf. The pros here are amazing.

• Camel Riding/Horseback Riding – My least favorite thing about heading to the far end of the beach (near Beach and Friends) is that you’ll get bombarded by vendors trying to sell quad bike tours, horseback riding tours in Essaouira, and camel rides. If you say no they usually leave you alone, but it happens every time I am over there and is annoying. Anyway, if you want to do a horseback riding tour or camel ride then check out Diana Dromedaries. They are a great company that offer amazing tours.

Local Tip: You can’t ride camels along the Main Beach. They will take you south along the beach towards Diabat instead.

• Go for a Swim – You 100% can go for a swim at Main Beach. The water is shallow and is safe to swim in. Just be aware that there are usually no lifeguards and the water is cold. I do not swim here since the water is too cold. I just pay 300 Dirhams ($30.00) for a day pass and use the heated pool at Les Jardins de Villa Maroc. Go here, have lots of fun, and don’t freeze to death. One of the best riads in Essaouira also has an awesome heated rooftop pool.

• Walk Along the Beach Promenade – Honestly? I do this like every day and absolutely LOVE it. It’s just a great place to take a stroll and enjoy sweeping views of the Atlantic.

• Catch the Sunset – There are many touristy/over-priced restaurants along the Beach Promenade. Your best bet is to just grab a drink, relax in a comfy plush chair, and watch the sunset. You can also go where the locals go. We usually just grab mint tea at a local coffee shop along the promenade and chill there. But it’s not a plush or fancy place.

• Grab a Meal/Drink – TBH the food at some of these Essaouira restaurants is good but not AMAZING – with seafood is the exception. Anyway, if you want to grab a drink at a fun bar in Essaouira then head to Ocean Vagabond or Beach and Friends. Both have great seating, serve alcohol, and have epic beachfront views. In particular, Beach and Friends serve great tapas and is home to a fun nightlife scene in Essaouira where you can enjoy fun things to do in Essaouira in the evening. You can also grab brunch in Essaouira at some of these spots.

Is Main Beach Busy?

Yeah, Main Beach is always busy since Essaouira is one of the most popular beach towns in Morocco. You will find people walking around from early in the morning to late at night.

I know my partner and I were on the beach at 11:00 pm and there were tons of people walking around.

I wanted to be like, “WTH? Go home.” LOL. Anyway, you definitely won’t have this beach to yourself but Essaouira is still worth visiting, as is Main Beach.

Main Beach is busy but not so busy that I never want to go there. You can always find a place to walk and a spot to lay your towel as you watch the waves crash into the shore.

The beach though does get packed with people in the summer (June, July, August). Schools are out and so there is an influx in domestic tourists from places like Marrakech since there is no beach in that city.

The beach also gets busy on warm days when there isn’t a lot of wind since non-windy days can be rare in Essaouira.

But if it’s super windy, you can always go shopping in Essaouira, try an Essaouira cooking class, or visit one of the best hammams in Essaouira instead.

You can also stop along the way for the best breakfast in Essaouira at Al Jazira.

Is Main Beach Clean?

I think Main Beach is clean. I mean, yeah you’ll find trash since there are always people here. Sure, it’s not the most pristine beach I have ever been to but I also have been totally grossed out by dirty diapers strewn all over the place.

The only time the beach can get unpleasant is in the summer when it is packed with people who leave stuff everywhere.

Local Tip: Many stray dogs live and roam around in packs along the beach, especially near Beach and Friends. They are harmless and I have never had an issue. I am a total dog lover so I kind of love them.

Just be very careful around these dogs since Essaouira is the last place you want to be if you get bit by a dog and need a Rabies shot.

Beach North of Essaouira

Can I be real with you? I never go to the beach north of Essaouira. Yes, there is no one there. But, that is mainly because there are no amenities and you can’t swim since the currents are really strong.

So, if you run out of things to do after going to the hammam in Essaouira and visiting Main Beach then you can check this place out.

To visit, you could walk along the rocks that sit by the city walls and make your way north. I love walking here but it can be slippery and is really only passable at low tide.

Instead, I would exit the Medina at Bab Doukkala (near the Mellah or Jewish Quarter) and go straight down the road until you hit Total Energies gas station.

There will be a road on the left right after the gas station and you can use that to access the beach. It’s pretty dirty and no one comes here so there is trash everywhere that you have to walk through to get to the beach.

I would really only come here if you hate people and want to walk on the beach without anyone around you.

Safi Beach

At the northernmost end of town is Safi Beach. It is a great place to go if you hate people (lol) and is an almost hauntingly quiet beach that has a very post-apocalyptic feel to it.

There are some abandoned buildings that you can explore as well as tide pools and giant sand dunes that you can run down. There are no amenities and no swimming, but you can enjoy a bit of peace and serenity.

If you want, grab a horse and carriage at Bab Doukkala and use that to take you to and from one of the best beaches in Essaouira. It will cost around 50 Dirhams ($5.00) for a round trip journey.

Alternatively, you could walk from Bab Doukkala to the beach and it will probably take around 20 or 30 minutes. Be forewarned, it’s not an overly picturesque walk and will take you past super industrial, not-so-nice parts of the city.

Sidi Kaouki

I know Sidi Kaoki is a bit far from Eaaouira but this town has an amazing beach that is my pick for one of the best beaches in Essaouira.

It’s this sleepy little surf town that is a 30-minute drive from Essaouira. As a result, the beach here is a lot less crowded and a lot nicer IMHO.

There are still people and hotels and tourists, but it’s way quieter than Essaouira, making this one of the best day trips from Essaouira.

I also think it’s better for surfing since the waves are more intense here. So, if you aren’t a total beginner then you may want to come here.

But, if you just want to chill, you can rent an umbrella for 50 Dirhams ($5.00), go for a walk on the beach, or grab a coffee/drink/meal on the roof of a local cafe or restaurant and watch the sunset.

You can also try quad biking, horseback riding, and camel riding if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous.

To visit, we take the #2 bus from the stop near Bab Doukkala. It departs every 2 hours and costs 7 Dirhams ($0.70).

The trip is a bit long since you stop at the airport on the way. But, the bus will get you to Sidi Kaouki in around an hour. The one negative about the bus is that it stops running early, like around 7:00 pm.

So, you will need to leave Sidi Kaouki early if you want to catch the last bus back to Essaouira.

Otherwise, you can take a Grand Taxi to Sidi Kaouki for 15 Dirhams ($1.50) per person. They’re at the main bus station and won’t depart until the entire taxi is full.

Just be sure to figure out how to get back since many taxis won’t go all the way out to Sidi Kaouki, especially at night.

Local Tip: There are some awesome Essaouira campgrounds here that you can stay at if you want to save money. You can also enjoy some of the best quad bike experiences in Essaouira while you’re here.

FAQs

Does Essaouira Have Good Beaches?

Essaouira has amazing wide, sandy beaches if you like to go surfing or kite surfing since the winds are super strong.

However, those intense winds can make it difficult to go swimming or walking along the beach since you’ll get a ton of sand in your face.

It is 100% safe to swim at the Main Beach in Essaouira. But, the water is cold and the wind can make it feel even colder.

So, when figuring out how many days to spend in Essaouira, plan to spend at least one day at the beach.

Local Tip: On a windy day I always wear a scarf/hoodie and sunglasses to protect my eyes and face from sand that will be flying all over the place.

What is the Secret Beach in Essaouira?

If you are looking for a “secret beach” in Essaouira then you are going to have to go pretty far south – like 95 kilometers (59 miles) to be precise.

This is where you’ll find the town Imsouane. It is home to a wonderful beach that is known locally as “Magic Bay”.

Where Can you Swim in Essaouira?

The Main Beach is the primary swimming spot in Essaouira. May of the other beaches in Essaouira have dangerous currents that make swimming impossible.

It’s also worth noting that while you CAN swim at Main Beach, many people don’t. The wind makes it unpleasant and makes the water feel colder than it already is.

TBH, if you really want to go swimming then just pay 300 Dirham ($30.00) and get a day pass to use the heated outdoor pools at Les Jardins de Villa Maroc. They have a really nice heated pool and it’s a much nicer place to go swimming.

Local Tip: Please note that there are generally NO lifeguards on duty at Main Beach and that you are swimming at your own risk. That being said, I generally don’t go out in the middle of the day since the sun is super strong.

However, I can honestly say that I don’t think I’ve ever seen a lifeguard on duty. They MAY make a guest appearance during the summer but I know they are not around during spring/winter/fall which is a perfect time to visit Essaouira.

Therefore, please be careful when swimming at Main Beach, especially if you have kids. I also know firsthand that the hospitals in Essaouira SUCK. You do NOT want to need any medical help while in the city.

Is Agadir or Essaouira Nicer?

I like Essaouira better since it’s smaller and has a more boho-chic vibe about it. It also feels a bit more authentic since it isn’t overflowing with giant beach resorts.

However, I am biased since I live in Essaouira. I do like Agadir and think the beaches are better, especially if you go to Taghazhout (nearby). But, the city is much bigger and is much more about relaxing at giant resorts.

The hotels in Essaouira are much smaller and a bit more personal, which I like.

That wraps up this guide to the best beaches in Essaouira. I hope you found this guide useful and are now prepared to visit the beach in Essaouira.

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