GOOD FOR: A unique cultural experience just a few hours from Europe with varied riding and reliable conditions.
THE LURE
Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea and situated at the North of Africa, Essaouira is just a few hours flight time from anywhere in central Europe. Visually and culturally it feels like you’ve travelled much further, with its vibrant old medina and bustling fishing harbour. Known as ‘the windy city’, the vast, sandy beach that stretches for six miles offers you enormous space and freedom on the water.
You'll find kickers, flat water areas and plenty of wind in the main bay / PHOTOS: KiteWorldWide / Explora
Kitesurf Morocco / Essaouira with KiteWorldWide
THE SET-UP
Essaouira was the original Moroccan hotspot with windsurfers coming here for decades before the first kiters arrived. Known as the Windy City with consistent cross-shore winds, there’s dependable cross-onshore wave riding from March to September, but also conditions for all levels of rider.
The best kiting is found towards the left side of the bay, away from the town, where the beach is less crowded and the wind more constant. The curved shape of the bay and cross-on winds make it safe and kite schools offer safety boat assistance. Protected by the Mogador Islands and harbour, cross-shore winds from the right offer ideal conditions for beginner to expert. Find flat water up close to the medina (where the wind is a little gustier as it comes over the town), open water in the middle of the bay and waves and clean winds in the downwind corner.
In the winter there is also a flat water spot at the river mouth and in the summer ‘second beach’ can also offer a flat water area. This is a great venue for getting in to waves and there are spots close-by that advanced wave riders will love like Moulay Bouzarktoune and Sidi Kaoki. There are weekly downwinders from Moulay to Essaouira offered by Explora Morocco, which is an amazing way to see the coast and the medina.
Beach bars and cafes can be found dotted along the main beach and Essaouira’s ancient working harbour forms the hub of the local community alongside the busy medina markets. Tourism blends with the local community, and it feels very authentically Moroccan here, and long may it stay that way.
This stretch of coastline is very popular with surfers as it’s loaded with nearby wave spots. Advanced wave riders will love Moulay Bouzerktoun and Sidi Kaouki, which you can also kite down to on one of the weekly downwinders organised by Explora Watersports. There are more spots to the south around Taghazout, too.
PHOTOS: KiteWorldWide / ION Club
WIND, WEATHER AND WATER
The huge temperature differences in land and sea accelerate the summer northeasterly trade wind in the afternoon and it blows consistently from March until September from the north / northeast at 15 - 25 knots. In fact during the summer months of July and August it can blow up to 40 knots on a few days. Out of the water the air temperature is very warm when the wind drops and water temperatures stay at around 17 – 20°C / 63 – 68°F.
It’s worth bringing at least a spring suit as the wind can cool you down. In early / late season a thicker suit is necessary (but it’s worth it for the winter swells!). The wind is a little less consistent in winter and often blows from the south, but it’s still good around 60% of the time.
PHOTOS: KiteWorldWide / ION Club
Morocco Essaouira - The Blast Kiteboarding Trip 2016
SCHOOLS
EXPLORA is a family run watersports centre open all year, teaching all levels and styles with safety boat cover. North and Best gear, storage and full package holidays offered: accommodation, transfers, guides, surfing, windsurfing etc. They also run trips to a wave spot called Tangnza, not far from Capsim.
Languages spoken by staff: English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Italian.
www.exploramorocco.com
adventure@exploramorocco.com
Where the fun begins / PHOTOS: Explora Morocco
ION Club Lessons take place right in front of the ION Club centre. Instructors teach all levels all year and the Ocean Vagabond restaurant and bar next door takes care of hungry and thirsty kiters, plus there are sunbeds on the terrace.
Languages spoken by staff: English, French, Arabic, Spanish, German and Italian.
www.ion-club.net
travel@ion-club.net
Semi private kite lessons / Ocean restaurant and bar / PHOTOS: ION Club
TRAVEL AGENTS
KITEWORLDWIDE specialize in delivering extraordinary kitesurf holidays to exotic destinations while avoiding the tourist traps.
www.kiteworldwide.com
info@kiteworldwide.com
ION CLUB with 21 Wind - and Kitesurfing centres at 12 destinations, ION CLUB are one of the leading companies in this industry. Also offering Surfing, Stand Up Paddling and Biking. Sustainability is one of ION CLUB's core values as they believe that we have a real responsibility for the natural environment - the place where we practice our amazing sports - and for the local societies in which we are allowed to operate and play.
www.ion-club.net
travel@ion-club.net
Sportif Kitesurf Holidays provide kitesurfing and multi sport holidays to the very best destinations worldwide. Sportif centres have the latest equipment and highly qualified, experienced staff. Whatever your level, you'll find a range of flexible rental or instruction packages, with a choice of accommodation from budget to luxury 5* hotels, right next to the centres. Contact a Sportif Travel specialist consultant to put together a package that's just right for you.
www.sportif.travel
info@sportif.travel
Planet Kitesurf Holidays specialise in luxury tailor‐made kitesurf holidays worldwide. Through its team of highly experienced kitesurf travel professionals, the company offers expert impartial advice, backed up by full ATOL and TTA financial protection. Planet Kitesurf belongs to the Planet Travel group, a market leader in active holidays since 2000.
www.planetkitesurfholidays.com
info@planettravelholidays.com
ACCOMMODATION
There’s plenty of choice from guest houses and apartments outside of the medina, to hotels and riads inside the medina, some of which can feel completely hidden away and yet are like miniature palaces. A wonderful experience in themselves and some come with their own cook!
EXPLORA have four riads, three of which are in the medina, with stylish double rooms starting at €50 euros per night with breakfast included. They can also arrange family-sized rooms and larger suites. Kite, surf and SUP tuition / rental packages also available!
www.explorawatersports.com
info@explorawatersports.com
Accommodation setup at Riad Zelaka, Essaouira / PHOTOS: Explora Morocco
For a broad range of accommodation options provided by Explora Morocco visit:
www.exploramorocco.com
TRAVEL AGENTS
KITEWORLDWIDE specialize in delivering extraordinary kitesurf holidays to exotic destinations while avoiding the tourist traps. Wind, waves and endless kite sessions are the passion and they'll take you to the most beautiful and wind reliable places on earth to enjoy wind, waves and endless kite sessions.
www.kiteworldwide.com
info@kiteworldwide.com
Planet Kitesurf Holidays specialise in luxury tailor‐made kitesurf holidays worldwide. Through its team of highly experienced kitesurf travel professionals, the company offers expert impartial advice, backed up by full ATOL and TTA financial protection. Planet Kitesurf belongs to the Planet Travel group, a market leader in active holidays since 2000.
www.planetkitesurfholidays.com
info@planettravelholidays.com
ION CLUB with 21 Wind - and Kitesurfing centres at 12 destinations, ION CLUB are one of the leading companies in this industry. Also offering Surfing, Stand Up Paddling and Biking. Sustainability is one of ION CLUB's core values as they believe that we have a real responsibility for the natural environment - the place where we practice our amazing sports - and for the local societies in which we are allowed to operate and play.
www.ion-club.net
travel@ion-club.net
Sportif Kitesurf Holidays provide kitesurfing and multi sport holidays to the very best destinations worldwide. Sportif centres have the latest equipment and highly qualified, experienced staff. Whatever your level, you'll find a range of flexible rental or instruction packages, with a choice of accommodation from budget to luxury 5* hotels, right next to the centres. Contact a Sportif Travel specialist consultant to put together a package that's just right for you.
www.sportif.travel
info@sportif.travel
NO WIND
Essaouira isn’t a resort town. It’s a compact, culturally rich city where tourism and traditional Moroccan life meet. The harbour is busy with the local fishermen and there’s also a bustling medina with shops, stalls and restaurants.
There’s a great selection of restaurants in the old town serving traditional dishes and you can find more international fare around town as well. Food is generally very affordable and if you’re self catering then there are supermarkets too.
Strictly speaking, Morocco is an alcohol-free country but, as in many of its tourist hubs, Essaouira’s restaurants serve alcohol and there are also bars and a couple of clubs. You can now also buy beer, wine and spirits at the new Carrefour market except on Fridays.
Beach bars and cafes dot the main beach and there are plenty of activities, such as SUP and surfing to mountain biking, quad biking, camel and horse riding and more. You can also test out your haggling skills at the many shops and stalls in the medina.
Activity-wise there’s SUP, mountain biking, horse riding, quad biking and more.
SUP and surf at the wave spots / PHOTOS: ION Club
GET AROUND
The kite spots are just a ten minute walk from town, but if you’re wanting to head elsewhere, or even if you have a lot of gear then hire a car (though you can’t drive into the medina). Taxis are cheap and reliable. Everything within town and the medina is walkable.
CURRENCY
Moroccan Dirham (MAD): £1 = MAD14 / €1 = MAD11 / US$1 = MAD9.
ATM withdrawals and card payments can be made outside the medina. You will struggle to get Dirhams outside of Morocco, so change your money when you arrive or take a few Euros with you.
FOOD AND DRINK
Eating out is quite cheap and there’s a great selection of restaurants serving international cuisine. Our hot tip for traditional food is Ramsess. Morocco is a Muslim country but Essaouira has adapted to tourism and you can find some good bars and restaurants serving alcohol but it’s more about great days and good food than all-night parties, although there are a couple of clubs.
PHOTOS: KiteWorldWide
AIRPORT
Marrakesh (RAK) airport is a two hour drive / taxi. Bus from the centre of Marrakech by Supratours of CTM cost around €10 each way. Agadir (AGA) is a little further. Transfers usually available with your kite schools or accommodation.
TRAVEL AGENTS
KITEWORLDWIDE specialize in delivering extraordinary kitesurf holidays to exotic destinations while avoiding the tourist traps. Wind, waves and endless kite sessions are the passion and they'll take you to the most beautiful and wind reliable places on earth to enjoy wind, waves and endless kite sessions.
www.kiteworldwide.com
info@kiteworldwide.com
Planet Kitesurf Holidays specialise in luxury tailor‐made kitesurf holidays worldwide. Through its team of highly experienced kitesurf travel professionals, the company offers expert impartial advice, backed up by full ATOL and TTA financial protection. Planet Kitesurf belongs to the Planet Travel group, a market leader in active holidays since 2000.
www.planetkitesurfholidays.com
info@planettravelholidays.com
ION CLUB with 21 Wind - and Kitesurfing centres at 12 destinations, ION CLUB are one of the leading companies in this industry. Also offering Surfing, Stand Up Paddling and Biking. Sustainability is one of ION CLUB's core values as they believe that we have a real responsibility for the natural environment - the place where we practice our amazing sports - and for the local societies in which we are allowed to operate and play.
www.ion-club.net
travel@ion-club.net
