Sidi Kaouki is the main spot south of Essaouira, 25 km from the medina. West-facing beach break, rights and lefts on a sandy bottom, bohemian atmosphere rooted in the 60s-70s hippie culture. This bay is known for its strong dominant wind (the Portuguese trade winds blow hard from May to September), it is best surfed outside summer or in offshore morning sessions. To plan your trip in the area, see our Essaouira surf camps comparison.
Small Atlantic Souss-Massa village with a Sufi shrine and traditional guesthouses, Sidi Kaouki stays calmer and more authentic than the better-known Moroccan surf hubs like Taghazout or Imsouane. This is where you come to combine intermediate/advanced surf sessions and quiet days away from beach-resort tourism. To compare Sidi Kaouki with the other Moroccan spots, also see our comparison Taghazout or Imsouane.
Sidi Kaouki surf spot characteristics
Sidi Kaouki sits 25 km south of Essaouira, a 25-minute drive along the coastal road. West-facing beach with several peaks spread over 1.5 km of sand. The bay works on north-west to west swell, and the wind dictates everything: offshore early in the morning (often until 10-11am), then the northern trade wind picks up and chops the sea in the afternoon.
Video: Sidi Kaouki (Essaouira) in action
When to surf at Sidi Kaouki?
The best window: September to May. Wind is calmer outside summer, North Atlantic swells deliver clean sets, water stays mild (17-19 °C in winter). In summer (June-August), the dominant wind is too strong for surf after 10am and the area switches to kitesurf/windsurf. Morning sessions only in summer.
Sidi Kaouki surf calendar: intensity by month
Field tips for surfing Sidi Kaouki
A few field observations you don’t usually find in classic guides but that make a real difference once you’re on the spot:
- Thermal wind: it usually picks up around 11am, turning an offshore morning into a choppy afternoon. Be in the water by 9am in summer, 10am off-season.
- North peak vs central peak: on winter NW swells (October to February), the north peak is more consistent and better protected from the dominant wind. At outgoing tide, the central peak fires more.
- Paddle out: 3 to 5 minutes to the main line-up, no major current. No tricky impact zone to push through.
- Crowd factor: low outside summer (10 to 20 surfers in the line-up), moderate in September-October (20 to 40), heavy June-August (but mostly kiters and windsurfers).
- Parking: free along the beach, rarely full outside high summer season.
- Local behaviour: locals are few and welcoming. Say hi when you arrive, wait your turn at the peaks. No aggressive localism like on certain European spots.
- Hazards: no reef, no strong current. The only real risk comes from the wind switching onshore after 10-11am, which makes the exit painful if you’re far from shore.
- Common mistake: aiming for an afternoon session in summer. Wind is too strong. Better surf before 10am, enjoy the beach and village in the afternoon.
Best period to surf Sidi Kaouki by level
Intermediate
October to March
Swells 1-2 m, offshore wind in the morning, fewer people
See intermediate surf campsAdvanced
November to February
Swells 1.5-3 m, technical sessions on the north peak
Book advanced coachingForecast and webcam Sidi Kaouki (Essaouira)
Before heading down to the beach, two useful tools to check the day’s conditions:
- Surfline forecast Sidi Kaouki (Essaouira) : swell, wind, tide forecast and embedded webcam where available.
- Windy weather map (31.3450, -9.7967) : graphic view of swell, wind and real-time weather conditions.
Recommended level to surf Sidi Kaouki
Beginners: no
Wind often strong, no surf school on the beach, isolated beach: not an ideal beginner ground. To learn in the area, head to Plage de Tagharte in Essaouira centre, where the local schools are based.
Intermediates: yes on the good days
When the swell is 1-2 m and the wind offshore (morning), Sidi Kaouki is a solid playground to move from whitewater to the green face and work your first lines. Sections are readable, sandy bottom, no reef. Good school for intermediates wanting to progress in a quiet setting.
Advanced: yes, varied playground
For advanced surfers, Sidi Kaouki is a good option to alternate with Imsouane or Taghazout. More consistent swells in autumn-winter, fast sections at mid tide. For something more committed on the Moroccan coast, head south to Cathedral Point in Imsouane (80 km south).
How to get to the Sidi Kaouki surf spot?
From Essaouira centre, take the coastal road south (R301 then local road). 25 minutes by car, 25 km. No direct public transport, taxi possible (~150 dirhams). Many Essaouira surf camps run daily transfers.
On site: a few traditional guesthouses and restaurants in the village, free parking, public showers in season. No surf school directly on the beach, but surf shops in Essaouira centre (~25 € for the board + wetsuit pack for the day).
Spot location
GPS coordinates: 31.3450° N, -9.7967° W. 25 km south of Essaouira, fishing and former hippie village.
Open the full map on OpenStreetMap
Which surf camp to pick for Sidi Kaouki?
Essaouira surf camps (in town or surrounding area) include Sidi Kaouki in their winter rotation when the wind allows. To compare options, see our Essaouira surf camps comparison. For the intermediate-to-advanced version 80 km south, Imsouane remains a credible alternative.
Quick comparison: surf camp packages at Sidi Kaouki / Essaouira
| Stay type | Level | Duration | Indicative price | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surf + yoga (short package) | Beginner-intermediate | 5-7 days | 350-500 € | See → |
| Intensive surf (full week) | Intermediate-advanced | 7 days | 500-800 € | See → |
| Surf + culture (medina + spot) | All levels | 5-7 days | 400-600 € | See → |
| Long progression stay | All levels | 10-14 days | 700-1,200 € | See → |
See all available surf camps in Essaouira
Where to stay to surf Sidi Kaouki
Two options: traditional guesthouses directly in Sidi Kaouki village (quiet, walking distance to the beach) or accommodation in Essaouira centre (25 minutes by car, more options). Interactive map below to compare availability.
What else to do around Sidi Kaouki and Essaouira?
On the surf side, you can pair with Plage de Tagharte (Essaouira centre, beginner-friendly) or head south to The Bay at Imsouane (80 km, the long right of North Africa). For visits and non-surf activities in Essaouira (UNESCO medina, port, restaurants, day trips), see our full Essaouira destination guide.
Surf at Sidi Kaouki: FAQ
Not really. Wind often strong, no surf school on the beach, isolated beach. To learn in the area, go to Plage de Tagharte in Essaouira centre where the local schools are based.
September to May for the best wind conditions. In summer (June-August), the dominant wind ruins the spot from 10-11am, morning sessions only.
25 km south along the coastal road, 25 minutes by car. Taxi ~150 dirhams. Many Essaouira surf camps run daily transfers.
Sidi Kaouki is a windy sandy beach break, intermediate/advanced, bohemian vibe. Imsouane is a point break (The Bay = long right for beginner-to-advanced, Cathedral Point = reef advanced). 80 km apart, easy to combine.
3/2 mm wetsuit in winter, shorty in summer. Shortboard 5’10” to 6’4″ for intermediate/advanced. Avoid longboards which catch the wind.
No school directly on the beach. Essaouira-centre schools (25 km north) run sessions at Sidi Kaouki when the wind allows.
In short
Sidi Kaouki is the intermediate/advanced spot south of Essaouira. Sandy beach break, dominant wind offshore in the morning, season window September to May. A good alternative to Imsouane to combine technical sessions and authentic bohemian atmosphere. To book a stay including Sidi Kaouki, see our Essaouira surf camps comparison.