  
KiteSURFING IN MOROCCO (CENTRAL MOROCCO, NORTH AFRICA)
Essaouira Kitesurfing & Windsurfing Spots
Like the Canary Islands, the summer trade winds are accelerated by the thermals created by the huge difference between the land and sea temperatures. Generally the wind strength increases throughout the morning and by mid afternoon can often be blowing a solid Force 6-7 so the beginner and intermediate lessons are usually held in the mornings. It can sometimes feel like the wind just never stops blowing!
From October to April, Atlantic storms produce huge swells which offer excellent wave conditions all the way up and down the coast. The winds, however, are a little less consistent and predictable in direction although it should usually be possible to kitesurf on most days during the winter either in Essaouira or within a 25km radius.
Quick links: Essaouira | Sidi Kaouki | Moulay Bouzerktoun | 7 day Wind forecast
Essaouira
The beach itself is a huge sandy arc that stretches for around 5km's. The protection offered by the Mogador islands and harbour mean the winds are cross-shore from the right and provide ideal practice conditions from beginner to expert. Essaouira bay delivers multiple conditions, from flat water to waves. Flat water conditions upwind (near the medina), open, choppy conditions in the middle of the bay and wave riding in the downwind corner.
The curved shape of the bay makes it a really safe spot and if you do end up too far out the kite centre have a rescue boat to assist you. A shallow area develops near the shore thanks to the steadily sloping, sandy bottom making it ideal for beginners.
The downwind end of the bay and a great spot for wave riders. The wind is side shore from the right and there is a small (2 ft) shore break about 30 yards out, and then you can have waves ranging from head to double overhead or bigger!
The further upwind you go in the bay, the flatter the water, which makes it ideal for speed freaks.
Spot quality: Great
Suitability: Intermediate & Advanced (Beginners out of season with tuition)
Kite/wind?: Good for Kitesurfing & windsurfing
Type: Beach
Style: Wave, Freestyle, Bump & Jump, Speed
Water quality: Clean
Water temp: 17-20ºC (a shortie wetsuit is perfect)
Bottom type: Sand
Tide: Best at high tide but not tide dependent
Local wind: The Venturi
Force: Strong (>25 knots)
Prevailing wind direction: NorthWest
Best wind direction: NorthWest
When?: All year
Essaouira is Morocco's windiest city with stats ranging from 25 - 35 knots pretty much every day in the summer months, 20 - 30 knots in the winter with pumping waves. Generally the wind strength increases throughout the morning and by mid afternoon can often be blowing a solid Force 6-7. Heavy tradewinds - especially in summer. If it's waves, waves and more waves you're after then you may want to check out Moulay Bouzerktoun or Sidi kaouki. (more info below)
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SIDI KAOUKI
About 20 km south of Essaouira you'll find the excellent beach of SIDI KAOUKI.
The Pro Center here offers all the facilities you nedd including: changing room, showers, toilets and restaurant. Even a 'beach boy' ;-) service with quad ATV and trailer. There is also a rescue boat for emergencies.
The wind is usually side off from the right and is at least 10 knots stronger than in Essaouira bay. There are several beach breaks to choose from.
Spot quality: Classic
Suitability: Intermediate & Advanced (Beginners out of season with tuition)
Kite/wind?: Good for Kitesurfing & windsurfing
Type: Beach
Style: Wave, Bump & Jump
Water quality: Clean
Water temp: 17-20ºC (a shortie wetsuit is perfect)
Bottom type: Sand and rock
Tide: Best at high tide but not tide dependent
Local wind: The Venturi
Force: Medium (16-25 knots)
Prevailing wind direction: South
Best wind direction: South
When?: All year
Sidi is a west facing beachbreak so the conditions are influenced by the swell direction and size. It can be big and quite heavy and gnarly, or it can be small, glassy and mellow. On a small swell it's suitable for all kiters of intermediate level and above, when it's bigger it can be a powerful wave and is best suited to advanced wave riders. The wave is slightly better for riding than it is for jumping since the windy direction (North Easterly) is slightly offshore.
Sidi Kauoki probably offers better wave riding conditions while Moulay has the edge for jumping. The huge beach means it never really gets too crowded, you could always move downwind a little.
Long wide beach where desert meets ocean. The beach is exposed to the brunt of the Atlantic swells, and is well known to surfers - so expect waves, especially in winter
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| Wind |
Light wind or big south |
medium to strong wind |
| Waves |
1,5 to 4 meters |
1 to 3 meters |
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| Wind |
Medium to strong wind |
Strong to very strong wind |
| Waves |
1 to 2 meters |
0,5 to 1 meter |
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| Wind |
Light to medium wind |
Light wind or big south |
| Waves |
1 to 3 meters |
1,5 to 4 meters |
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MOULAY BOUZERKTOUNE
Moulay is The African wave spot and lies about 20km North of Essaouira. Home to strong summer thermals, decent swell and home spot of Moroccan windsurfing superstar, Boujamaa Guilloul.
The Pro Center is right in front of the kite Spot and the center also has a Café-resto on first floor with a great view of the spot.
Windy season is the summer, with June and July blowing force 6-8 from the North. From July - September it's still windy but it blows with less strength. In the winter the winds are usually the result of storms and are south-westerly. Moulay can get decent swells during the winter and spring which can easily reach double overhead.
Spot quality: Good
Suitability: Intermediate & Advanced
Kite/wind?: Good for Kitesurfing & windsurfing
Type: Small beach (50 meters high tide & 100 at low tide) and reef platform
Style: Wave, Bump & Jump
Water quality: Clean
Water temp: 17-20ºC (a shortie wetsuit is perfect)
Bottom type: Reef platform with holes. Upwind cliff, downwind, rocks and sand.
Tide: Best at high tide but not tide dependent
Wind: June to September
Windiest period: June/July
Wind direction: Northerly, side on from the right.
Average wind speed: Force 6
Best time for swell: Winter but less wind. Summer offers chest heigh waves.
Conditions: Summer = small waves & chop, Winter = huge waves
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| Wind |
Light wind or big south |
Light to medium wind |
| Waves |
1,5 to 5 meters |
1,5 to 4 meters |
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| Wind |
Medium to strong wind |
Strong to very strong wind |
| Waves |
1 to 2 meters |
0,5 to 1 meter |
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| Wind |
Medium to strong wind |
Light wind or big south |
| Waves |
1 to 4 meters |
1,5 to 5 meters |
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Essaouira Wind Forecast
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