The Essaouira Kite Guide · Atlantic coast, Morocco
Kitesurfing in Essaouira, read from the wind
Essaouira is an Atlantic town in Morocco with a long sandy bay south of the medina. The kite season runs from about April to September, when the wind blows mostly from the north. July is the windiest month: in ten years of ERA5 data, 75% of July days averaged 12 knots or more. The water is cool all year, so pack a full wetsuit.
Last updated: · Data: Open-Meteo / ERA5, 2015–2024
Quick facts
- Best months
- May – Aug
- 56–75% of days ≥ 12 kn
- Windiest month
- July
- 14.0 kn mean daytime wind
- Calmest month
- December
- 8.0 kn, 21% of days ≥ 12 kn
- Summer wind
- From the north
- 64–86% of windy hours, Apr – Sep
- Sea temperature
- 17–20 °C
- offshore model, coolest Feb – Mar
- Wetsuit
- 4/3 or 3/2 mm
- 4/3 winter & spring, 3/2 summer
How windy is Essaouira each month?
The columns show how often the daytime wind (11:00–18:00) averaged at least 12 knots, a common rule-of-thumb minimum for kiting, and the darker base how often it reached 15 knots. Hover a month for the detail.
- Days with ≥ 12 kn
- of which ≥ 15 kn
Show the numbers as a table
| Month | Days ≥ 12 kn | Days ≥ 15 kn | Mean wind (kn) | Mostly from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28% | 13% | 9.1 | NE 53% |
| February | 34% | 18% | 10.2 | N 43% |
| March | 40% | 22% | 11.2 | N 51% |
| April | 47% | 27% | 11.6 | N 64% |
| May | 56% | 36% | 12.7 | N 71% |
| June | 57% | 37% | 12.8 | N 80% |
| July | 75% | 46% | 14.0 | N 86% |
| August | 64% | 35% | 13.0 | N 84% |
| September | 46% | 18% | 11.0 | N 77% |
| October | 28% | 11% | 9.1 | N 60% |
| November | 28% | 14% | 9.4 | N 41% |
| December | 21% | 11% | 8.0 | NE 48% |
Is Essaouira good for kitesurfing?
For most of the year, yes, and in summer especially. Essaouira is often nicknamed the “Wind City of Africa”. From April to September, between 64% and 86% of windy hours in the data blow from the north, the summer trade wind (alizé). In winter the wind is lighter and more mixed: north-east dominates, and some south-west wind arrives with Atlantic fronts.
On a calm day there is the town itself. Its medina, historically called Mogador, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001.
When should you go?
May to August gives the best odds of wind: between 56% and 75% of days averaged 12 knots or more. April and September are good shoulder months. October to January is the quietest stretch, with 21–28% of days reaching 12 knots. Read the best time to kitesurf in Essaouira for wind direction, temperatures and a tool that ranks months for your level.
Where do you kite?
The main spot is the wide sandy bay south of the medina and port. Sidi Kaouki, about 25 km south, is a long beach for surf and kite. Moulay Bouzerktoun, about 25 km north, is a wave spot with rocks and currents: experienced riders only. Our guide to the kite spots around Essaouira has level and safety notes for each.
How cold is the water?
Cool all year. Modelled offshore sea temperature runs from about 17.0 °C in late winter to 19.7 °C in October. A full wetsuit is recommended: 4/3 mm in winter and spring, 3/2 mm in summer. The kite trip checklist covers the rest of your kit.
How do you get there?
Most visitors fly into Marrakech, about 190 km by road, or Agadir, about 170 km. Essaouira-Mogador Airport is about 15 km from town but has few flights. Buses run between Marrakech and Essaouira. Details are in getting to Essaouira.
What does a kite trip cost?
Lessons and packages have published prices, while flights and food depend on you. The kite trip cost estimator combines both. If you are weighing up other destinations, see Essaouira vs Dakhla vs Tarifa.
Questions travellers ask
Is Essaouira good for kitesurfing?
Yes, especially from April to September. In ERA5 data for 2015–2024, 75% of July days averaged 12 knots or more between 11:00 and 18:00, and from April to September most windy hours blew from the north. Winter is lighter and more variable, and the Atlantic water stays cool all year.
What is the windiest month in Essaouira?
July, with a mean daytime wind of 14.0 knots and 75% of days at 12 knots or more in the ERA5 record. August (13.0 kn), June (12.8 kn) and May (12.7 kn) follow. Real beach wind is often stronger than these grid values.
Can beginners learn to kite in Essaouira?
Yes, with lessons from a certified school. Not every spot suits learners: Moulay Bouzerktoun, north of town, is a wave spot for experienced riders only. Check the forecast and never kite in offshore wind alone.
Do I need a wetsuit in Essaouira?
Yes. Modelled offshore sea temperature ranges from about 17.0 °C to 19.7 °C through the year. A full wetsuit is recommended: 4/3 mm in winter and spring, 3/2 mm in summer.
How far is Essaouira from Marrakech?
About 190 km by road, roughly 2.5 to 3 hours. Supratours and CTM run buses between Marrakech and Essaouira. Agadir is about 170 km away.
Sources
- 1.Open-Meteo Historical Weather API. ERA5 hourly wind and temperature, 2015–2024
- 2.Open-Meteo Marine API. Sea surface temperature and waves, 2022–2024
- 3.ERA5 hourly data on single levels (Copernicus Climate Change Service)
- 4.UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Medina of Essaouira (formerly Mogador)
- 5.Open-Meteo licence (CC BY 4.0). Weather data by Open-Meteo.com