10 Best Things to Do in Essaouira & Sidi Kaouki — Beyond the Medina
Most visitors to Essaouira spend their time wandering the medina, eating fresh fish at the port, and watching the sun go down. All of that is wonderful — but Essaouira's real magic is found outside the city walls, on the wild Atlantic coastline stretching south toward Sidi Kaouki.
We've been based on this coastline since 2017. Here are the 10 best things to do in Essaouira and Sidi Kaouki — the ones we recommend to every single guest.
1. Surf the Atlantic at Sidi Kaouki
Twenty-five kilometres south of Essaouira, Sidi Kaouki is one of Morocco's finest surf destinations — consistent swell, long sandy beach, zero crowds. Whether you've never stood on a board or you're working on your cutbacks, the waves here suit every level.
At Surf Twins Essaouira, we run surf lessons from €50 with certified local instructors. Groups are capped at 5, transport from Essaouira is included, and all equipment is provided. It's the single best way to spend a day on this coastline.
2. Take a Surf Day Trip — Lesson, Lunch & Free Surf All Included
If you only have one full day in Essaouira, make it a surf day trip. We pick you up from your riad at 10am, take you to the best break for your level, run a 2-hour surf lesson, serve a traditional Moroccan lunch on the beach, and give you the afternoon to surf freely before dropping you back by 5pm — all for €50.
3. Try Kitesurfing in Essaouira
Essaouira is consistently ranked among the world's top kitesurfing destinations. The Atlantic trade winds blow side-shore almost every afternoon, creating perfect flat water conditions for beginners and powerful wave conditions for advanced riders.
Our kitesurf lessons in Essaouira start from €50 with IKO-certified instructors and Duotone equipment.
4. Go Sandboarding in the Dunes at Sunset
Just outside Essaouira, Atlantic sand dunes rise above the coastline — dramatic, wild, and almost completely off the tourist trail. Our sandboarding and sunset experience takes you to the dunes at golden hour, followed by a cave dinner at a hidden waterfall. From €20 per person.
5. Explore the Essaouira Medina
Essaouira's UNESCO-listed medina is one of Morocco's most relaxed and beautiful — none of the hard-sell pressure of Marrakech, just blue and white streets, argan oil cooperatives, art galleries, and some of the finest woodwork craftsmen in the country.
6. Eat Fresh Fish at the Port
Every morning, fishing boats return to Essaouira's working port loaded with the day's catch. By lunchtime, the port-side grills are firing — you choose your fish directly from the display, they cook it in front of you. Sardines, sea bass, prawns, calamari. With bread and salad, around €8. One of the most authentic food experiences in Morocco.
7. Watch the Sunset from the Skala de la Ville
The Skala de la Ville is an 18th-century sea bastion built into the northern ramparts of the medina. In the late afternoon, as the Atlantic light turns golden, locals and visitors gather on the cannons to watch the sun drop into the ocean. Free to visit, and one of the most beautiful sunsets in Africa.
8. Ride a Camel on the Beach
South of Essaouira, the beach stretches for miles — wild, windswept, and largely empty. Camel rides along this coastline at sunrise or sunset are a genuinely special experience. Guides and camels are available directly on the beach near Sidi Kaouki.
9. Visit a Traditional Hammam
A Moroccan hammam is not a spa — it's a steam room, a scrub, and a deep clean that leaves you completely renewed. Budget around €15 for a full experience including black soap and a kessa scrub. Go after a surf session — your body will thank you.
10. Stay a Week at Surf Camp in Sidi Kaouki
For the full Essaouira experience, nothing beats a week at surf camp in Sidi Kaouki. Our all-inclusive packages from €380 include 6 nights accommodation, 12 hours of coaching, all meals, daily transport, equipment, and airport transfer. You wake up to the sound of the Atlantic, surf twice a day, and go to sleep properly tired in the best way.
It's not just a surf trip. It's Morocco.
How to Book
For surf lessons, day trips, kitesurf, sandboarding and surf camps, contact Surf Twins Essaouira on WhatsApp — we respond within minutes and same-day bookings are available. 🤙
Sidi Kaouki vs Essaouira Beach: Your Surfing Questions Answered
Sidi Kaouki is generally better for surfing, with longer, cleaner, and more consistent waves thanks to direct Atlantic swells. Essaouira Beach is more sheltered, offering smaller waves that are ideal for beginners but often affected by wind.
Both spots are suitable for beginners, depending on conditions. Essaouira Beach is perfect for your first lesson with smaller, softer waves. Sidi Kaouki is also beginner-friendly, with a sandy bottom and multiple surf peaks that allow instructors to find the best waves for your level.
The best time for surfing is from September to April, when Atlantic swells are more consistent. During summer, Essaouira becomes very windy, which is great for kitesurfing but less ideal for surfing. Sidi Kaouki often still offers good surf conditions even when Essaouira is windy.
Most surfers choose to stay in Essaouira and surf in Sidi Kaouki. Essaouira offers more accommodation, restaurants, and cultural experiences, while Sidi Kaouki provides better and more consistent surf conditions. Many surf schools offer day trips between the two.
