Kitesurf in Morocco : all you need to know
Morocco is a top kitesurfing destination easily accessible from Europe.
It is a country that is both culturally rich, and where the wind blows regularly and consistently.
The best season for kitesurfing in Morocco extends from March to October depending on the spots.
The best kitesurfing spots in the country are Dakhla and Essaouira.
On this page, I give you all the keys to organize your kitesurfing trip in Morocco, so follow the guide.
High Season
Required level
Best suited for
Budget
Spots
Other activities
Why kitesurfing in Morocco is a good choice ?
Close to Europe, Morocco is an easily accessible kite destination with direct flights. The climate is mild all year round, which is quite appreciable.
It offers kite spots for all tastes and all levels: waves, flat, beginners to advanced. It’s a unique feature of Morocco to offer both seafront with waves highly appreciated by surfers, but also lagoon spots that are found more on the side of Dakhla.
Not only does Morocco offer reliable conditions for kiting, but it also allows all types of trips: from practical family travel in structures dedicated to kiting to the roots road trip along the desert Atlantic coast.
And to complete this already appetizing picture: it is also a welcoming country with bustling picturesque cities, which will make you acquire a taste for burning mint tea after the session!
In Morocco, you can kite all year round in Dakhla, even if the winter months have less impressive wind statistics than the rest of the year.
You can also read our article Trip Morocco: Surf in Tamraght and Taghazout, which offers a good alternative with an overview of the surf spots in the region!
Best period and spots to kite in Morocco
Discover the kite spots in Morocco
Sidi Kaouki
Essaouira
What we love most
Drawbacks
- Wind statistics are exceptional.
- Spots are very accessible from Europe.
- The country’s culture is rich.
- The popularity of Morocco for kitesurfing can result in some overcrowded spots.
- Some spots like Dakhla offer few activities other than kitesurfing in case of light wind.
Our best advices to travelers
How to get there ?
Depending on the spot you wish to visit, there will be a suitable airport.
For Dakhla, the airport is accessible by direct flight with Transavia, or with a connection with Royal Air Maroc.
For Essaouira, the closest airport is the city’s airport, but you can also reach the spot from Agadir or Marrakech airports. These latter options are less convenient, but still nice to see a bit of the region’s landscapes.
Depending on the season, the price of flights will be more or less expensive. An average price is around 250-300€ for a round trip.
Formalities
- Mandatory vaccines: None required
- Visa requirements: American and British nationals can enter Morocco visa-free for up to 90 days
- Electrical adapter: Type C and E outlets, 220V
- Official language: Arabic
- Currency: Moroccan dirham (MAD)
Additional tips
Negotiating is customary in Morocco, but don’t forget to keep smiling!
Out of respect for Islamic culture, avoid dressing provocatively (topless, in a swimsuit in the city… etc)
Don’t leave without tasting their famous couscous and tajines!
To travel around the country, especially around Essaouira, it can be wise to rent a car. There is no particular difficulty in driving in Morocco as a foreigner.
The currency in Morocco is the dirham with an exchange rate of approximately 1€ = 11 dirham. It is easy to pay by credit card in Morocco, but it is better to have a small reserve of cash for the souks and other smaller shops.
When coming from France, there is no need to bring an adapter for our electronic devices.
Can you bring your drone to Morocco?
The use of drones in Morocco is highly regulated. As a tourist, if you declare that you have a drone at the border entry, customs may decide to confiscate it for the duration of your stay. It will be returned to you when you leave the country.
If you do not declare your drone, the penalty can be confiscation of the drone accompanied by a fine. Since our luggage goes through a scanner after baggage claim, it would not be very wise to try to hide your drone at the country’s entry.
To bring your drone to Morocco, you must first obtain a license, which is not easily obtained, it seems.
It’s true that aerial images are beautiful. If you really want to get them, you can always attach a camera to your kite! I tried it and loved the result!