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Looking to get a grasp on what the beaches in Essaouira are like? Find everything you need to know before visiting in this ultimate Essaouira Beach travel guide.
Famous for its fortified coastal Medina, historic fishing port, and more recently, as a Game of Thrones filming location, Essaouira is also home to several sandy beaches stretching both north and south of the city walls.
I’ll be frank, Essaouira’s beaches are not perfect for sunbathing as the city is often battered by winds coming in off the Atlantic. Hence its nickname as the windy city of Africa!
But, this doesn’t stop people from flocking to the city’s main beach (where you will find sun loungers and parasols to rent) for a seaside escape – especially in the summer as the coastal breeze provides some respite from Morocco’s roasting interior!
The windy conditions do, however, make Essaouira’s coastline a playground for surfers and kite surfers with the shallow water and (not too powerful) waves creating great conditions for beginners looking to learn.
You can also expect the beaches of Essaouira to be vast and open stretches of coast rather than cute and intimate bays, making them perfect to explore on long coastal walks if you want to venture further from the medina.
So, if you’re planning a trip to this much-loved coastal city, keep reading for a complete guide to the beaches in Essaouira.
Essaouira Beaches Map
Essaouira’s beaches are split by the medina, with a few to the north and a few to the south of the city’s walls. However, they can all be reached on foot.
I’ve pinned them all on the map below so you can get a visual idea of where they all sit in relation to the old town.
5 Best Beaches In Essaouira
While the majority of people only visit Essaouira’s main beach, there are actually five that you can walk to from the medina. Although some are a bit more of a hike to get to than others!
With Essaouira Beach attracting crowds and sunbathers, and Plage Tagharte the surfers, those who wander further afield can expect to find hardly a soul on the other wild and vast golden beaches.
So whether your plan is to relax, surf, or explore, there’s a beach in Essaouira perfect for you.
1. Essaouira Beach (Plage Essaouira)
Best for a buzzing atmosphere
Spanning from the Port of Essaouira all the way south to the beachfront restaurant Ocean Vagabond, Plage Essaouira is the liveliest and busiest beach in the city.
The two kilometre long crescent-shaped bay features golden sand and shallow water perfect for a paddle, and is backed by a wide beachfront promenade that runs the whole length of the beach.
The tide tends to go out quite far on the Atlantic coast and Essaouira Beach is no exception. It becomes a vast wide and open bay at low tide – great for a barefoot shoreline walk along the firm sand.
In the peak holiday periods and weekends, it’s really the only beach on this list (as well as the adjoining Plage Tagharte) that you’d be able to describe as crowded. Even with the strong Atlantic winds and (verging on too cold) water, Essaouira Beach draws people looking to enjoy a chilled beach day.
I’d say one reason for this is because Plage Essaouira is the nearest beach to Marrakech, and therefore many Moroccans make their way here in the summer months to escape the roasting temperatures of the Pink City.
Even if you’d prefer not to set foot on the sand, the promenade behind is a great walk where you can still soak up the beach’s atmosphere. As you wander along you’ll pass by football and basketball courts, kids’ playgrounds, restaurants, and vendors.
If you do visit on a calm day and fancy chilling out on the beach, there’s plenty of space to put beach towels down or you can rent sun beds in the northern to middle section of the bay.
Overall, a trip to Essaouira isn’t complete without checking out the city’s main beach!
2. Plage Tagharte
Best for water sports and camel/horse riding
At the southern end of Essaouira Beach, the golden sand blends into Place Tagharte.
There’s not an official mark of where the former beach ends and the latter begins, but generally, you can say this is in front of the beachfront restaurants Beach and Friends, and Ocean Vagabond (or at the roundabout).
It’s at this point where the bay becomes busier with activities – both on sand and water. These include camel and horse riding as the animals aren’t allowed on Essaouira Beach to the north.
Plage Tagharte is also the hub for surfing and kite surfing in the city with most of the surf schools found around here.
So, if you’re looking for camels, horses, or surfing then Place Tagharte is where to come!
As you wander south away from the city and herds of camels the sand becomes very rocky and, honestly, not very pretty. So this is suited for enjoying a coastal walk more than anything else.
We still enjoyed exploring this beach though as there are some great views out to Mogador Island as well as some impressive dunes at the back of the beach!
The beach continues along to where the River Oued el Kassab flows out to the ocean. However, even though it looks like the river separates splits the beach on the map, this depends on any recent rainfall. On our visit in June it was all dried up and meant we could continue exploring south to Diabat Beach.
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3. Diabat Beach
To the south of Plage Tagharte, after the River Oued el Kassab, is Diabat Beach.
Yet another vast section of wild Atlantic beach there are a couple of reasons you might find yourself venturing this far from the medina.
Maybe you love a long coastal walk, or you’ve joined a horse/camel/ATV tour, or you’re looking for a quieter spot to kite surf, or you’ve ventured down from the nearby village of Diabat.
Or maybe you’re searching for the famous Jimi Hendrix sandcastle (also known as Dar Sultan Palace).
Whatever the reason, you can expect to find a huge bay backed by sand dunes with a fraction of the (if any) people found on the beaches closer to Essaouira’s Medina. You’ll also see Borj el Baroud sitting on top of the northern dunes which is actually the ruins of an old watchtower.
We saw just a handful of kite surfers, a distant ATV tour group, and a couple of wild camels as we passed through the beach on our 5km walk from the Port of Essaouira to Diabat.
We had planned to complete this walk and catch a taxi back to Essaouira but we actually had a hard time catching a taxi in Diabat. So, if you are thinking of doing the same, maybe take a taxi to Diabat first and do the route in reverse!
4. Plage Akskis
A quieter alternative to Essaouira Beach for sunbathing
The first beach that sits to the north of Essaouira is Plage Akskis – a 2km stretch of sand that runs parallel to the city’s Industrial Quarter.
You can get here by hugging the city walls all the way round from the fishing port but only if the tide is out. I’d recommend exploring this part as you get a unique perspective of the medina from this side of the walls.
Alternatively, you can get to Plage Akskis by leaving the medina from the Bab Doukkala entrance. Just turn left until you reach the steps leading down to the beach.
To us, Plage Akskis felt like it had two parts. The first sits in front of the northern city walls which is a pretty cool setting and makes a great spot to wander or put your towel down to enjoy a quieter sunbathe than Essaouira Beach.
Although bear in mind there are no facilities here and it’s very exposed to the elements.
However, as you round the corner heading north you’ll find the second part of the beach which, without sugarcoating it, is literally a dump.
The first section here is backed by piles of rubbish that have been dumped and behind this are derelict buildings which aren’t any easier on the eye. If you’re looking for a nice beach to lay back on then this is definitely not the one!
But, if you’re looking to explore the coastline and you’re aware of this issue and can look past it, the beach is still pretty cool. You can find pieces of beautiful ceramic mosaic tiles in the sand and the rundown industrial backdrop creates a rustic and deserted vibe.
If you’re interested in exploring to the north then a wander along Plage Akskis is still worth it.
Related Read: Best Beaches In Taghazout
5. Plage Assafi
The most northern of Essaouira’s beaches is Plage Assafi (not to be confused with Safi Beach further north in the city of Safi).
Starting at the Frina Quarter the beach continues for miles past the northern outskirts of the city.
You can get to Assafi Beach by following the coast all the way from the north of the medina, however, you can only get around the corner that connects Plage Akskis with Assafi if the tide is out. So you have to time it well – Tides Chart will help you plan for Essaouira’s tide times.
Alternatively, can walk or take a taxi along to the northernmost point of Essaouira and access the beach here.
Keeping with the trend, this huge section of beach looks quite different depending on the tide.
When high, the water comes all the way into the foot of the big dunes which tower over the beach but when low, you’ll get to see a much wider beach and the sand is also much better for walking on.
So, definitely try and time your visit in with low tide!
Directly after the Frina Quarter, you might see some locals enjoying the beach or playing football, but unfortunately, the dunes here are also littered with some rubbish.
However, if you keep going and make it past the rocks, you’ll soon discover some majestic dunes and a beach that you’ll be lucky if you find anyone else on.
It’s a really impressive and quiet bit of beach that feels like you’ve left the hustle of the city behind and entered a completely different world!
Essaouira Beach Hotels And Resorts
Fancy staying on Essaouira’s beachfront while still being close to the main attractions and restaurants of the medina?
Then I’d recommend checking in to a place along the city’s main beach!
I’ve saved you some research time and compiled a quick list of the top hotels that sit along Essaouira Beach which you can find below. Whatever your budget, there’s a beachfront stay for you!
- Riad Zahra ($): Traditional Moroccan-style rooms complete with an outdoor swimming pool and a highly rated seafood restaurant. Only a 20 minute walk along the promenade to the medina!
- Villa Quieta ($$): Elegant and boutique hotel in the south of Essaouira, featuring an intimate pool and garden area. Perfect for couples looking for a romantic retreat.
- Hotel Le Medina Esssaouira Thalassa & Spa ($$$): Located a five minute walk from the medina, this luxury beachfront resort offers three restaurants, two bars, swimming pool and a spa. Enjoy breakfast on your balcony and a breathtaking ocean view!
Note: There are no hotels directly on Essaouira Beach – all are situated opposite the promenade across the main road. But they are all beach-facing and as close as you can get!
Essaouira Beaches FAQs
Can You Swim At The Beach In Essaouira?
Yes, you can swim at the beach in Essaouira, however, the cold Atlantic water and frequent strong winds mean that conditions aren’t always ideal.
Can You Wear A Bikini In Morocco?
Yes, it’s normal for tourists to wear bikinis and swimming costumes at the beach but as the local culture is predominantly Muslim you may feel more comfortable wearing more modest styles.
To Finish
So there you have it, a complete guide to fully prepare you with what to expect at each of the beaches in Essaouira.
Whether you want to relax, get in the water, explore the vast coastline, or a mixture of each, I hope this travel guide helps you plan your trip to this windy Atlantic city accordingly!
If you have any questions feel free to reach out in the comments below!
Pin It For Later!
More Morocco Travel Guides
Heading elsewhere in Morocco? Find more detailed travel guides filled with helpful information and inspiration for your trip below.
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- Best Day Trips From Agadir
- Ultimate Guide To Taroudant: Morocco’s ‘Little Marrakech’
- How To Visit Taroudant From Agadir
- Is Paradise Valley Worth Visiting?
- Getting From Agadir To Taghazout: All You Need To Know
- How To Get From Marrakech To Agadir
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