Camels stand on the sun-soaked sands of Essaouira beach. Their handlers compete for my attention with crashing waves as a horse gracefully gallops through the Essaouira surf. We came for windsurfing lessons on this stretch of Morocco’s Atlantic coast, most famous for being windy.
A coastal community in North Africa, Essaouira is a mix of exotic aromas, cobblestone streets, and some of the friendliest people we have met anywhere.
Camels and Horses on the Beach
Horseback riding and camel riding are popular with tourists and are available on the beach. For us, camel riding in Oman fulfilled our need for this once in a lifetime experience.
Windsurfing and Surfing in Essaouira
Essaouira beach is home to many international surfing and windsurfing competitions. Essaouira kitesurfing is also becoming popular. If you are heading to the beach in Essaouira, be warned that it is famous for its wind. It’s a wind that rarely quits.
Windsurfing, kitesurfing, and surfboarding are all available as lessons in the famous Essaouira surf, or as board hire from several spots along Essaouira beach. Our first day was too windy for beginners to windsurf, so our girls opted for Essaouira surfing lessons. They enjoyed it enough to stick with it during the week. While there are several shops along the street offering a windsurfing, kitesurfing or board surfing lessons.
How to Get to Essaouira
The easiest ways to get to Essaouira are self-drive, with a tour, or to take the bus from Marrakech.
• Rent a car in Morocco
The drive from Marrakech is less than 3 hours on a well-paved road. While there are no cars allowed in the old medina, there are at least two large parking lots outside the gates. However, when heading to the Essaouira beach, we had no problem finding street parking.
While we did a handshake deal to rent our car, I don’t recommend it. We were lucky and had no problems, but there was so much potential for things to go wrong. In retrospect, we would have rented our car through Rentalcars.com. We have used them worldwide without any problems, and find that we always get either a lower rate or the same rate as going directly to the suppliers, but overall have fewer problems with Rentalcars.com.
⇒ Click here to check pricing and availability of rental vehicles in Morocco ⇐
• Tours to Essaouira
• Take the bus to Essaouira
While we drove a rental vehicle, the bus from Marrakech seemed to be a popular option, especially amongst backpackers.
Essaouira Sunsets
Essaouira beach is not a place for sunbathing as the wind blows fine sand everywhere. There are plenty of beachside cafes, and we enjoyed Moroccan mint tea from one of them. If I focus only on the sun, sand, and waves, Essaouira beach could almost be anywhere. Aside from the wind, what makes it unique are horses, camels, birds, and wildly colourful sunsets every night.
I have been to cleaner and more beautiful beaches on tropical islands like Aruba, Samoa, or Rarotonga so why is Essaouira beach one of my favourites? Most likely it is because our visit to Morocco stayed with me. I think it changed me more than any other country we visited. Here we got to know people, to learn about culture and history from them, and to see the world from a different perspective.
Where to Stay in Essaouira Morocco
We love the atmosphere in the older parts of the Moroccan villages. Therefore we opted to stay in the Essaouira medina. We stayed in the Lakhdar Family Suite at Riad Watier in the old medina and recommend it as the perfect room if you have kids.
⇒ Click here to check availability at Riad Watier
Although the beach in Essaouira is lovely, there is more to this town than just the beach. There is more than enough to keep us entertained and busy for five days, especially in Essaouira’s old Medina (the non-European section of town).
Tips Before You Visit Essaouira Beach
- We saw several tourist women in western swimwear. Our girls needed to be in wetsuits to stay warm enough in the water. While less seemed okay on the beach, women are recommended to cover at least shoulders and cleavage in the older parts of town. Otherwise, expect stares.
- There was plenty of free street parking near the beach when we were there.
- Take caution when drinking water in Morocco.
- Carry toilet paper with you.
- There is more to Essaouira than just the beach. We stayed for five days and could have stayed much longer. Here are some of the medina highlights.
- We travelled by train from Fes to Marrakesh. Here we rented a car and had a fascinating Moroccan Road Trip. Essaouira beach was our first stop. From here we headed inland, where we saw goats in argan trees, as this is the first step in the process of making argan oil.
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Morocco Attractions
Great spot for kitesurfing, from learner to traditional! We love it!
Rhonda Albom
Essaouira is one of the fascinating places in the world, well worth a visit.
Anda
Your pictures from Morocco are stunning, Rhonda! I’d love to visit this country but I wonder how safe it is there these days. When where you there?
Rhonda Albom
Thanks for the reminder that I need to add the date. We were there in 2012, and I wouldn’t hesitate to go back now if I had the opportunity.
Lydia C. Lee
What stunning photos!
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Lydia.
Claire
Beautiful. I love all your pictures. I would love to visit 🙂
Rhonda Albom
I would love to get back there someday.
Indah Nuria Savitri
Those photos are wonderful indeed, Rhonda..I have been to Morocco but not to this part..
Rhonda Albom
Every part of Morocco was different from the others.
Molly
Morocco looks amazing and your pictures are, as always, stunning. I really love the 2nd on down of the rider
Mollyx
Rhonda Albom
That rider was pretty amazing in real life.
Kelleyn Rothaermel
Would love to go there someday!
Rhonda Albom
I hope you get a chance to get there.
Patrick Weseman
Very beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing them. You travel to the best places.
Rhonda Albom
We do the best we can, we love going to new and interesting spots, off the beaten track.
Katherine
That mid-gallop shot and the one with the seagulls over the boats are just amazing! #OutdoorWednesday
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Katherine. It was pretty cool to see him riding.
Marie-OR
That beach gallop brings back a fond childhood memory of reading Sham: King of the Wind! What a beautiful, exotic place. How I’d love to go some time.
Rhonda Albom
I never read that book, but if the rider reminds you of it, it must be pretty special.
image-in-ing
Great photos here. It’s quite eye-popping for me to see camels on the beach!
Rhonda Albom
It was pretty cool to see the camels on the beach.
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fabulous photos- I’ve always wanted to go to Morocco. It seems so exotic and interesting. Thanks for sharing these photos
Rhonda Albom
It is both, exotic and interesting. Morocco is one of our favourite places.
Tanja (the Red phone box travels)
great shots!
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Tanja.
Deb Nance
I’d love to hear more about how Morocco changed you so much.
Rhonda Albom
It really opened our eyes to cultural differences and similarities.
stevebethere
What a fab place love the beach and the horses and camels lovely photos especially the waves and the boats docked 🙂
Have a humptastic day Rhonda 😉
Rhonda Albom
It was pretty cool to see camels and horses on the beach.
Alissa Apel
That photo with the horse is amazing. They look so free! So many boats! What a site!
Rhonda Albom
Watching him gallop across the beach was pretty amazing too.
Elen @ Elen G
Beautiful images.
Amila
wow!! Fantastic captures and of course the beach.
I’d love to visit Morocco one day!
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Hi Rhonda, Morocco had changed me and my husband, too. By the end of our Morocco trip, we got engaged! We traveled to a lot of places in the country and loved each one of them, however, we regret not making it to Essaouira. Your photos show how different it is from all places we visit. There something very easy going about it. We’ve seen camels in the desert but seeing that photo of one in the beach is just awesome!! A camel on the beach with a kite on the background really makes a unique shot.
Rhonda Albom
Wow, that is a big change. Morocco will always be really special to you. Essaouira was more relaxed than many of the places in Morocco we visited, but each city or town seemed to have it’s own personality. There are so many interesting things to see in that country, it’s hard to see them all. Maybe you will go back for an anniversary one year, and visit Essaouira then.
Jolie du Pre
Wow! What a wonderful place!
Julie K Pick
I’ve also heard great things about Morocco! Did you hop on your camel and follow that guy? Lovely photos as always, Rhonda!
Jill
I love your photos – especially the camel with the kite surfer in the background. It’s always good to reflect back on a favorite place we’ve been – and this sounds like one of yours.
Shere
So funny to see a the camel on the beach!! It reminded me the cows of India, I guess each country has its “typical beach animal” 🙂
Rhonda Albom
The difference is these camels are commercial, there with their owners to sell camel rides to tourists.
Leovi
I love those pictures full of light, a wonderful place!
David
Essaouira was nice, way to much wind though. It’s always windy and man it’s blows! There’s lots of activities to do like horse back riding, ATV adventures, Kite surfing and so on. For us when we were just there the water was way to cold so Kite surfing was canceled.
Rhonda Albom
It wasn’t too bad when we were there, a few super windy days, but more nice ones. I guess that’s why it is so famous amongst windsurfers. Our girls were fist time surfers and the wind wasn’t too high. Sorry your kite surfing was canceled.
Yolanda Renee
The beach, really nothing quite so relaxing. Could use one now , but that would be Ocean City, Maryland not Morocco. Unless wishes suddenly come true. 🙂
Rhonda Albom
Morocco is more of an activity beach. I don’t remember seeing any sunbathers, or people just lying around. Or people in bikinis either. I wonder what it would have been like in the heat of the summer, we were there at the beginning of the season.
Kim
I’ve heard many good things about Morocco, and you’ve just added to my impression. Maybe someday.
Rhonda Albom
We have been to a lot of countries, but Morocco is a personal favourite destination.
C.Lee McKenzie
Nope. I haven’t made it there, but I think I should based on your post. Thanks for all the great pictures.
Suze The Luxury Columnist
I love your shot of the birds around the medina. Would you horse ride on the beach? I’d love to but I’m a real novice and I’ve heard that it’s more tricky than regular horse riding, don’t know why that is though
Rhonda Albom
Personally, I wouldn’t ride a horse unless it was necessary, but I sure like looking at them run. My girls would, if they could. I hadn’t heard the beach was difficult.
Ruth - Tanama Tales
Looks like an amazing place. I mean, it has to be cool if there are camels around the beach! When I think about my favorite summer vacation spot, I think about my childhood summers in Puerto Rico.
Rhonda Albom
It is a very cool place, but remember the camels are commercial not wild (but still pretty interesting)
Marilyn Parel
What beautiful photos! Have never been to Morocco. However, your pics are calling to me.
Phoebe @ Lou Messugo
I adore the photo of the half naked man on his horse, it’s just perfect. I’ve been to Morocco but only to Fes not the coast. I’d certainly like to explore some more.
Rhonda Albom
I am glad someone else noticed the guy on the horse. It was my favourite of the series. As for Fes, it is possibly my favourite town in Morocco. We went back for a much longer visit we liked it so much.
Michele {Malaysian Meanders}
I’ve never thought of the beach when I think of visiting Morocco. The mix of camels, the water, and the medina are so enticing. I’ve always wanted to visit Morocco, but the images that usually flash through my brain are of the delicious food, the streets, and the bazaars. You’ve just added some new images to my mental slideshow.
Rhonda Albom
Yes, I have all those images too. One of my favourite restaurants around the world is located in Essaouira.
Sherry Ellis
That looks like a terrific vacation destination!
Stuart R. West
Sigh. This blog is extremely damaging to my imaginary riches. Just added Morocco to places I must see.
Paula McInerney
Would love to go to Morocco and to see Essaouira, particularly the camels on the beach. That is unique for me.
Rhonda Albom
That was unique for me as well. You are not too far now if you are still in Southern Spain.
Alexia Chamberlynn
Awesome pics! Morocco is definitely high on my list, though I’ve never thought of going to the beach there. I always envisioned the exotic marketplaces and such. Now I’m extra excited!
Rhonda Albom
I think Essaouira is a bit off the tourist path as the trains don’t go there, so it’s a bit more effort to get there. I also love the markets and the interior. Our time in the Sahara was one of the highlights.
Susan
This must have been during your almost year trip around the world. I’m glad you enjoyed being here so much. Perhaps you can return someday.
Rhonda Albom
Yes, we spent a month in Morocco in 2012. We only planned to stay 7-10 days, but really loved it.
Cathy Kennedy
Rhonda, what gorgeous photos! I have not been anywhere outside the USA. Travel is expensive, but even if I had the money then I’d be too much of a scaredy Cathy to do it. Just call me chicken! lol It’s really fun to visit exotic destinations through the eyes of others such as yourself. I imagine it’s awesome to see things like a camel on the beach or sand dunes of dessert countries. These are elements totally foreign to my part of the world. Thanks for sharing!
Rhonda Albom
I am glad that I can share the world with you. We generally find the biggest expense of travel is getting there – as we live in New Zealand now, we are far from everywhere. I think that is why we stay away so long once we go. We don’t do organised tours, we travel on our own, and we found Morocco to be quite inexpensive in comparison to daily life in the US. You need your wits about you, but don’t need to be afraid.
steve B
Nice post and those beach photos look fantastic what a perfect way to spend time on, that last photo is lovely isn’t it 🙂
TF Walsh
Oh, your photos are gorgeous. I’ve never been to Morocco, but would love to one day. The beach photos are just perfect… love them.
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Tania. Morocco is fascinating. And so different geographically from beach to the Sahara.