Morocco Beaches: From Lagoons And Wildlife, Through To Safety, Experts Give Their Best Advice
Our Morocco travel experts reveal their favourites
Only three and a half hours’ flight away and with day time temperatures up in the mid 20s most of the winter, and still hitting the 30s all through the autumn, Morocco is our go-to place for a blast of sun, sea and surf just as it starts getting wet and miserable back home.
But when it comes to beaches in Morocco, you need to choose wisely- there are so many different factors to consider. Are the waves too rough and wild to swim, or too tame to surf? Is it safe for women to sunbathe alone on them without getting hassled? Are the beaches easy or tricky to get to? Is there somewhere really cool to stay nearby? The places we have listed we think tick all the right boxes. We love small, individual, boutique hotels - each with something special about them: food, design, location ... and ideally within sight and sound of the waves. We also like our beaches wild and natural, with as few people on them as possible, unless they are surfers, that is : nothing beats watching a true surfing pro twisting and turning and tunnelling through the pounding breakers.
But don't just take our word for it. We’ve rounded up a panel of Moroccan travel experts from shoot producers, to Moroccan designers, to adventure travel specialists - to give you the insider lowdown on their favourite, off-the-beaten track places along the coast, as well as the very best places to stay and how to get there.
BEACH: Oualidia
WHO?
Max Lawrence, former shoot producer and Marketing Director of Hotel Les Deux Tours, Marrakech
WHAT'S IT LIKE?
Set between Casablanca and Essaouira, Oualidia has an 11 km long lagoon with a tide that means the sand bars change throughout the day. It’s incredibly beautiful, full of wonderful wildlife including migratory birds such as pink flamingoes. The oysters are amazing and there is a great surf school there to get you out in the water.
HOW TO GET THERE
It’s around three hours drive north west of Marrakech (via Safi).
SWIM OR SURF ?
It's safe for swimming inside and outside of the lagoon and a perfect place to learn to surf, as the waves (and the currents) are not strong here.
SAFE FOR WOMEN?
Yes.
WHERE TO STAY
Twenty-three rooms and two new suites right on the beach in this family-run hotel. Doubles from around £115, B&B
This dreamy, kasbah-style hotel with 12 bedrooms is right on the lagoon. Doubles from around £370, room only
BEACH: Taghzaout
WHO?
Steph Millington, Intrepid Travel, adventure travel specialists
WHAT’S IT LIKE?
Half an hour's drive north of Agadir you'll find this pretty, laid-back fishing village. It has plenty of small cafes and restaurants lots of yoga classes and some great surf beaches: Killer Point, La Source and Anchor Point, which are all excellent for learning to surf as they have moderate and consistent waves.
HOW TO GET THERE
Take a taxi (about 30 mins) from Agadir airport, which has great connections with Marrakech and also has a small, international airport.
SWIM OR SURF?
It is safe for swimming but the main attraction is surfing. La Source has golden sands and waves fit for beginners, while Devil’s Rock is for the intermediate.
SAFE FOR WOMEN?
Yes, especially on the beaches close to surfing camps or local hotels/hostels.
WHERE TO STAY
This stylish, contemporary hotel is all about wellness, surfing and healthy eating. It has chalet style rooms right on the beach and a pool, and it is close to all the surf spots. Doubles from around £70, B&B or book as part of Morocco Atlas and Atlantic, which costs £650pp for 8 days
BEACH: Dakhla, South Morocco
EXPERTS:
Laura and Zineb, Marrakech-based co -founders of ZYNE, luxury Moroccan slipper brand
WHAT'S IT LIKE?
Dakhla is a city of 100,000 people on a 50km long narrow peninsula on the Atlantic Coast. On the one side you can find a flat-water lagoon and on the other side some world-class waves.
HOW TO GET THERE
Fly to Laayoune from Marrakech and hire a car to make the most of the amazing landscape en route to Dakhla.
SWIM OR SURF?
Swimming for sure on the lagoon side, but it is also a mecca for kite- surfers
SAFE FOR WOMEN?
Of course !
STAY
This beachside haven has eleven beautifully designed rooms with terraces facing the sea. Doubles from round £150, B&B
.
BEACH: Imsouane
WHO?
Ingrid Asoni, Founder & CEO, Consciously Connected Travel
WHAT’S IT LIKE?
This long sandy beach, 82 kms north of Agadir, is a surfers' paradise, named one of the 27 most beautiful beaches in the world by Forbes. The ideal bolthole for epic surf, this tiny village packs a mean punch. With everything within walking distance, a handful of local restaurants and shops, you get to know the community pretty quickly.
HOW TO GET THERE?
Take an £8/ one hour taxi from Agadir.
SWIM OR SURF ?
Both –it's the perfect beach. If swimming, watch out for currents, and for surfers it has the longest rides in Morocco.
IS IT SAFE FOR WOMEN?
Yes.
WHERE TO STAY?
Olo is the ideal escape, with three designer beach houses just metres from the water, one with a pool and all with amazing views of the waves.
Doubles from around £30 and dorm beds from £15 a night
BEACH: Sidi Kaoki, Essaouira
WHO?
Ingrid Asoni, Founder & CEO, Consciously Connected Travel
WHAT’S IT LIKE ?
You could be fooled into thinking you have just arrived in Hawaïi or some remote topical island, with Sidi Kaoki's rustic little cafes, quirky surf shops and cute surfers. Essaouira, 30 minutes drive north, was one of Jimi Hendrix’s favourite places in Morocco, inspiring his song, Castles Made of Sand. There’s a cafe dedicated to him in Sidi Kaoki.
HOW DO YOU GET THERE?
Get a bus or taxi from Bab Doukala, outside Essaouira's medina.
SWIM OR SURF?
Surfing
IS IT SAFE FOR WOMEN?
Absolutely - all you see is surfers and sunbathers
WHERE TO STAY
Salut Maroc is a cute boutique hotel in the heart of the Essaouira medina. It has beautiful décor and cool vibes, and 11 bedrooms with décor inspired by Moroccan cities.
BEACH: Sidi M'Bark
WHO?
Emma Wilson, shoot producer and Essaouira riad owner
WHAT'S IT LIKE?
A quiet untouched beach with fantastic dunes and caves at the end, Sidi M'Bark is just 15 minutes along the coast from Sidi Kaoki (which gets crowded in summer). At Sidi M'Bark, local fishermen pull in their nets and it is just a short walk or camel ride to the waterfalls: a real paradise.
HOW TO GET THERE
There is no access unless you come for one of our barbecues as the land is private. Book with us and we will drive you here from Essaouira.
SWIM OR SURF?
Both - and if you want to surf we can lend you boards
SAFE FOR WOMEN?
Yes
WHERE TO STAY?
With us! We have a yurt (£200 a night for two, B&B), right on the beach (pictured) and can provide a delicious fish lunch, or you can stay in one of our riads in Essaouira, Dar Emma and Dar Beida,both from £300 pp per week, room only.
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