kitesurfing on Essaouira

 

General Info:
The location and the Village

---

Essaouira is an exceptional example of a late-18th-century fortified town, built according to the principles of contemporary European military architecture in a North African context. Since its foundation, it has been a major international trading seaport, linking Morocco and its Saharan hinterland with Europe and the rest of the world.


Essaouira is a beautiful town on the south west coast of Morocco. Its vast, sandy bay is perfect for kite surfing, surfing and windsurfing. There are many spots in and around the main beach that cater for all abilities. The KPWT world tour visits here every year. The heart of Essaouira is the Medina (Old Fort). Its maze of narrow cobbled lanes with endless market stalls, spice, rug, leather and jewellery shops, not to mention the coffee and cake shops. Throw in a healthy bowl of Couscous with lime, washed down with sweet mint tea and you`ll come somewhere close to the cultural flavour of Morocco.



The seasons and Hotel info

---

The best months to go to Essaouira are March to September. For accomodation you can choose between the very basic to the more luxurary hotels or even renting your own raid. The avarage hotel will charge you for a single room DHM168 and for a double DHM280 (1euro = DHM11).


Possibilities besides kiting

---

Besides kiting you can:
-Go surf the beautifull waves

-Take a boat trip to the Mogador Islands and the bird sanctuary on the Lies Purpuaires
-Go quad biking
-Explore the old city
-Visit the markets (for fresh fish)



Climate

---

Morocco has a warm subtropical climate. Inland, it gets quite cold during the winter, but in summer it's very hot. Essaouira is an Atlantic city with all the characteristics of an North African Atlantic climate; warm air, humidity and high average temperatures. Essaouira gets mild winters with temperatures of around 15/16ºC. In August, temperatures will be on average between 22-25 ºC. The annual rainfall is 280 mm.


Spot conditions:
The beach

---

The beach is big and sandy and stretches for three miles. The kite beach is at the down wind end of the beach, it’s a pretty long beach and has sand banks that make for different kinds of conditions.


The water conditions

---

You can enjoy the flat water in the bay (which can be choppy with srong winds) or the waves downwind and outside the bay. In the winter the waves are bigger but the wind is less. The avarage water temperature is between 17-20ºC.


The wind conditions

---

The wind is side-shore from the right. In the summer the strong thermal wind can build in the afternoon up to force seven.


Facilities

---

There are a few schools in Essaouira. Gear rental and trips to other spots are possible.


Downwinder and trip possibilites

---

There are plenty of undiscovered spots lying in the bays close by. But two other spots nearby are:

Moulay Bouzerktoune
With a stronger sideshore wind than Essaouira, where the Atlantic and North East trades meet, Moulay offers one of the best wave spots just outside Europe. At times with 2-3 metres waves this is a spot for confident wave sailors only.


Sidi Kaouki
To the south of Essaouira this is a 5km long beach again with a cross shore wind and good waves. Conditions here can vary and with different entry points you will find the right waves for intermediate and expert wave sailors.



Links

---

Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essaouira
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morocco


Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9Tew-qGeLY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k45t0At5YZM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TonBdAXfApg


Schools:
www.skyriders.com
www.kiteschoolessaouira.com


Info:
http://www.waveriders.biz/infopages/Morrocco_Essaouira_About_Essaouira/106/200

Essaouira Forums in other languages

topics

topicstarter

replies

hits

last post