Essaouira
Essaouira is a UNESCO World Heritage city famous for its ancient medina, blue boats, and relentless wind. The beach break in front of the old town offers fun waves when conditions align, but the Alizé trade winds that blow from the northeast make it more famous for kiting and windsurfing than surfing. Early morning before the wind picks up is the window. The beautiful walled city and fresh seafood make it worth a visit regardless.
Essaouira surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NW (315°)
- Direction range
- 270° - 350°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 1.00×
- Ideal period
- 12s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Offshore range
- 60° - 120°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.3m - 2m
Water temp
17°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
6/10
Access: UNESCO medina town. Windy but quality peaks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Essaouira?
Essaouira is a beach break in Essaouira, Morocco, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Essaouira?
Essaouira picks up swell from the W round to the N, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the NW. It starts working at around 0.8m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.6 to 2.1m. Period matters too: aim for 12s or longer, as anything under 8s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Essaouira?
An E wind is dead offshore at Essaouira, and anything from the ENE round to the ESE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 10am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Essaouira?
Essaouira has a preferred tide range, roughly 0.3m to 2m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Essaouira?
The most reliable run of swell at Essaouira comes Oct to Mar. There's a second window in Apr to May and Sep too. Historic town. Windy but quality peaks.
How cold is the water at Essaouira?
The water at Essaouira averages around 17°C, so you'll want a 3/2mm fullsuit. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Essaouira good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 4/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. Expect a moderate crowd (6/10) when it's on. Very windy. Best in early morning.
How do I get to Essaouira?
The nearest airport on our list is AGA, then it's roughly a 2-hour drive. UNESCO medina town. Windy but quality peaks.
What other surf spots are near Essaouira?
The closest breaks we track are Sidi Kaouki (15 km), handy when Essaouira isn't working. Fun fact: it's the second most northerly break we track in Morocco.
Best Season
Peak: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Apr, May, Sep
Historic town. Windy but quality peaks.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Sidi Kaouki
🕌 Spiritual village vibes • Quality beach peaks • Windy conditions
Cathedral Point
⛪ Imsouane's outer reef • 20ft hollow barrels • Expert-only big waves
Imsouane
🏄♂️ Africa's longest • 300m rides • Longboard paradise
Safi
🐟 Morocco's secret points • Less crowds, more waves • Industrial charm
Tamri
🍌 Banana plantation backdrop • Taghazout escape • Uncrowded quality
Killer Point
🐋 Big-wave Morocco • Orca point • Handles overhead+