Morocco's Atlantic coast: sea, surf and fresh fish from Essaouira to Agadir

The Atlantic coast is the side of Morocco that many travellers discover last, and the one that most often surprises them. From Tangier to Sidi Ifni come one after another towns fortified by the Portuguese, fishing ports, lagoons and long wind-swept beaches, with a climate that stays cool even in the hottest months.

From north to south: the main stops

Asilah, Rabat and El Jadida

The Atlantic north combines history and sea: Asilah, with its walls above the ocean and its painted façades, Rabat, the capital, with the Kasbah of the Udayas overlooking the mouth of the river, and El Jadida, with its Portuguese cistern, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Oualidia and Safi

Oualidia looks out over a calm lagoon, sheltered from the ocean and famous for its oyster beds. A little further south, Safi is the Moroccan capital of ceramics and is known to surfers for its powerful waves.

Essaouira

Essaouira is the best-loved stop on the coast: a white and blue medina protected by ramparts, art galleries, gnaoua music and the port, where you choose freshly caught fish and have it cooked on the grill. The constant wind, the trade winds, has made it a capital of kitesurfing and windsurfing.

Taghazout, Agadir and Sidi Ifni

North of Agadir, Taghazout and the nearby villages are the heart of surfing in Morocco, with schools for beginners and spots for experts. Agadir offers a long beach with full facilities, while further south Sidi Ifni keeps the quiet atmosphere of a small fishing town.

Itineraries along the coast

The 15-day tour from Tangier runs along the whole coast as far as Sidi Ifni and comes back through the Anti-Atlas, Marrakech and Fes. The 18-day tour from Casablanca brings together the Sahara and the Atlantic south, while the 12-day tour ends the trip with a night in Essaouira. If you have less time, we can add a few days on the coast to any tour departing from Marrakech.

Climate and sea

Thanks to the ocean, temperatures on the coast are mild all year round: in summer they are between 20 and 26 °C, while Marrakech goes above 35 °C. The water is cool, generally between 19 and 22 °C in summer, and the wind, especially in Essaouira, makes even the hottest days pleasant. To choose the right month, read our guide to the best time to visit Morocco.