Essaouira Bay

Essaouira Bay Review

Essaouira's beach is a sweeping bay that curves from the sheltered north through the east to the south. You nearly always feel warm when you're bathed in sunlight, but as the wind and treacherous riptides are consistently strong, sunbathers and swimmers won't have much fun. A deck-chair or sun-bed rental is relatively inexpensive.

The wind comes from the north and creates three main areas. The most northerly part, tucked up into the armpit of the port, has wind that comes in gusts. Just south of this the wind strengthens, with fewer gusts. Farther south are the steady, strong winds the town is known for, and that make it a mecca for wind- and kite-surfers. This range of areas makes the bay perfect for every level of water-sportsman and -woman.

The surrounding islets, the Iles de Mogador, are home to nine bird species, including the endangered Eleanora falcon. They are closed to visitors during breeding season (April-October), but otherwise you can get a boat trip from the Port, with boats leaving morning and afternoon depending on weather conditions.