Tag: water activities

Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important topic in the hospitality industry and Morocco is one of the leading countries in terms of sustainable tourism, with more than 60 cities signing its charter on responsible tourism. Morocco’s coastline is no exception, with Morocco’s Government and several seaside resorts implementing sustainable initiatives to preserve beautiful beaches and protect the environment.

From north to south, 21 beaches are declared ‘Blue Flag’ status for their cleanliness, an initiative introduced by the Mohammed VI Foundation for the Environment. The foundation continues to develop the programme and provides environmental education, marine life protection and improves accessibility and safety of beaches. Each local municipality is in charge of all areas of beach management including maintenance, cleanliness, promotion of water quality, recycling and sanitation.

It is not just the municipality that looks after beaches, there are many beach clean-up projects organised by surf clubs and local organisations throughout the country. Surf clubs in Essaouira and Taghazout, for example, have been organising beach clean-up events for years. These events bring together volunteers from the local community to collect rubbish and plastic waste from the beaches, helping to keep them clean and safe for both visitors and marine life.

Another sustainable initiative is water waste recycling in beach resorts. Several seaside resorts in Morocco, including Agadir, Taghazout, El Jadida and Saidia have implemented water treatment systems that recycle greywater for irrigation and other non-potable uses. This reduces the amount of freshwater needed for resort activities and minimises the impact on local water resources.

Some beachside resorts have also implemented renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and wind turbines to reduce their carbon footprint. The Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort, for example, has installed 6,000 square meters of solar panels to generate electricity for the resort, reducing their dependence on non-renewable energy sources.

In addition to these initiatives, several beach resorts in Morocco have also implemented sustainable practices in their daily operations. For instance, eliminating single-use plastics such as straws and plastic cups, opting for biodegradable alternatives instead. Others have implemented recycling programs and composting initiatives to reduce waste and promote sustainability.

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Saidia, also known as ‘the blue pearl of the Mediterranean’ is a picturesque seaside beach town located on the northeastern coast of Morocco. It boasts 14km of beautiful golden sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and plenty of sunshine throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of activities from water sports or golfing to relaxing in the marina and tasting some of the delicious fresh fish.

Expansive fine and white sand Holidays by the sea, with friends or family

Saidia, the pearl of the Mediterranean, is a seaside resort, entirely devoted to relaxation and your well-being. For a few days, you can forget your daily routine and relax in state-of-the-art institutes with high concerne for sustainable development.

These paradisiac beaches, seem to extend to infinity. With 14 kilometres of fine sand, you can only relax and indulge in a peaceful moment. On a deckchair, in the shade of a parasol, while being rocked by the rolling waves, let yourself be tempted by a wonderful contemplation moment of picturesque landscapes.

While resting on these beaches, there’s enough eye candy to ensnare your imagination. Modern, these beaches were designed to meet tourists expectations with a plethora of fun activities. In quiet and warm waters, perfectly secured, you will have fun with your family or friends. Take your pick from windsurfing, kite surfing, diving or water skiing.

Saidia’s marina is a hub of activity, offering visitors a chance to indulge in various water sports and leisure activities. Visitors can take a boat trip to explore the beautiful coastline or try their hand at fishing. The marina is also a popular spot for jet skiing, parasailing, and windsurfing, and the rental facilities are available on-site for both beginners and experts.

The beaches of Saidia are undoubtedly the main attraction for visitors. One of the longest beaches in the country, it counts 14km of golden sand, some of them semi-deserted, perfect for long walks with stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea, that end at the borders. The surrounding area of Saidia is also worth exploring, offering beautiful hiking routes and nature walks, like the Zegzel Valley or the Beni Snassen Natural Park, home to an array of flora and fauna, including rare bird species.

Saidia is also renowned for its beach bars and restaurants, which serve a wide range of local and international cuisine. Visitors can enjoy a refreshing drink while taking in the stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea or sample the delicious seafood, which is freshly caught each day.

For those looking to explore the local culture, Saidia offers plenty of opportunities. The town’s medina is a fascinating place to visit with its narrow streets, bustling souks, and traditional architecture. Discover Moroccan culture by exploring the famous markets, perfect for buying souvenirs and traditional products from the country like hand- made leather, exotic spices or colourful handcrafts.

Plunge into cold and fresh water, and fuel up with thrill and excitement in the pearl of the Mediterranean. 

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Dakhla is a medium-sized city of just over 100,000 people located 400 kilometres north of the Mauritanian border. The city is built on a peninsula that runs down from the mainland creating a lagoon area with warm turquoise waters that is popular for kite surfing and wildlife.

Like Essaouira, Dakhla also has a temperate climate and is also very well known for having great windy conditions for surfers, due to Sirocco and Trade winds. It is one of the unknown pearls of Morocco that is fast becoming popular because of its beaches, sport, and nature. In fact, the number one activity in Dakhla is kite surfing and there are many hotels in the area that offer kite surf camps.

Beach life in Dakhla

Located on an almost island, at the entry of the Rio de Oro, the bay of Dakhla and its splendid lagoon with warm turquoise waters is home to migratory birds, pink flamingos, turtles, monk seals, rays and humpback dolphins.

In addition to lazing around, swimming and surf-casting fishing, you’ll have the opportunity to practice the most fashionable nautical activities. The city tops the list of worldwide water sports since 2014. Surfers, kite-surfers or windsurfers, who also consider this spot as one of the most beautiful on earth, meet on the beach of Foum El Bouir to experience challenges. Going down further south, you’ll arrive to the superb white sand beach of Puertito, as well as the beach of Puerto Rico, where you’ll have the opportunity to sleep in tents beneath the stars.

The shores of Dakhla are said to some of the most beautiful in Morocco, offering peace and the chance to bask in 25-degree sunshine, all year round. For a quiet swim in crystallised waters of the lagoon try PK25 beach or for a livelier vibe the Foum El Bouir beach that is popular among water sport enthusiasts. Surfers, kite surfers and wind surfers can experience thrilling waves and winds, and many famous surfers are attracted to Dragon Point a renowned spot for incredible swells to ide for metres.

From a day out surfing the waves, a good stretch is what is needed, and in Dakhla there are many yoga retreats and wellness holidays. In fact, some facilities combine yoga with surfing and windsurfing activities offering a variety of courses for all abilities.

In recent years Dakhla has also become famous for oyster farming; the oysters develop at a rapid rate in the waters of Dakhla thanks to the prevalence of phytoplankton, which the oysters feed on. Fast growth is also attributed to the temperature in the waters of Dakhla, which is consistent and doesn’t change much. Shoreside you can also practice surfcasting or fish using a stand-up paddle board as the waters are rich with marine life. It is therefore no surprise that Dakhla is well known for its range of fish restaurants and is a paradise for seafood lovers.

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Agadir is a popular seaside town situated on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. A paradise for beach lovers, its long stretch of sandy beaches and azure waters attract visitors from all over the world, offering the perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and cultural exploration.

One of the city’s hotspots is Agadir Beach, a crescent-shaped long beach with 9km of sand, which makes it the perfect place for soaking up the sun or taking a dip in the sea. The beach is well equipped with sun loungers and parasols for those who want to have a more relaxing holiday and also offer numerous local cafes, restaurants, and bars for a quick bite or refreshing drink.

For adventure lovers, Agadir offers a wide range of water sports activities due to its great weather conditions and warm water temperatures all year round and has become a hot spot for surfing, stand- up paddle boarding, jetskiing, and paragliding. There are several surf schools in the area that offer lessons for beginners and advanced surfers alike. The calmer waters provide an excellent opportunity to explore the coastline on a stand-up paddle board. And for those who appreciate sea life, Agadir Dolphinarium in Anza, is a must see attraction.

In addition to water sports, Agadir is also well- known for its surfcasting and fishing opportunities. Several organised fishing trips take visitors to

the open sea, where they can fish for a variety of species, and the region’s fish restaurants are famous for their mouth-watering seafood delicacies, which are cooked to perfection using traditional methods.

For those looking to explore the natural beauty of the region, a visit to the Souss Massa National Park is highly recommended. Covering 131 square miles, this park is home to unspoilt beaches, sand dunes, grassland steppes and charming fishing villages. The park is also rich in wildlife and a sanctuary for several endangered indigenous species like the North African ostrich, the Northern Bald Ibis, the addax, the dama gazelle, the Dorcas gazelle, or the scimitar oryx, which are all being reintroduced in the habitat. Furthermore, there are also many rare bird species, making it an excellent spot for bird watching.

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Taghazout was once a sleepy fishing village and in recent years is now a modern seaside resort that has become a mecca for surfers from across the world. It sits north of Agadir on the Atlantic coast with breath-taking views, from the Argan forest that runs alongside it, the seven kilometres long beach is bordered by the High Atlas Mountains, giving visitors a glimpse of the diversity of nature.

Here, wind whips up the Atlantic Ocean into impressive tubes that has made this legendary spot a surfer’s paradise since the 1970s with a relaxed and chilled out vibe. There are a choice of point and reef breaks to suit total beginners and seasoned pros, Anchor Point, for example, combines a powerful, right-hand breaking point known for its barrel waves. The best waves occur from September to April and there’s plenty of surf club and surf shops offering lessons and wetsuit

rentals. There are surf camps only five metres from the jump off point of Hash Point or Surf Shops, where the owners custom shape surfboards in their shaping rooms. There are many surf shops offering workshops where visitors can learn to custom shape their own boards.

Breath control, focus and flexibility are all important skills for surfers, so it goes without saying that as well as surf camps many places in Taghazout offer yoga and meditation retreats. Some of them offer daily classes in an open-air setting, while others offer aerial yoga using lengths of silk or luxury retreats where guests can practice Vinyasa, Power, Hatha, or Yin yoga.

Away from the beach visitors can explore the windy streets filled with beautiful white and blue buildings. The little streets wind down to the beach and are filled with independent shops, cafes, and restaurants. Some of them offer panoramic ocean views and plenty of fresh seafood, in a nod of the fishing village past, with cold beers or glasses of wine.

Many hotels and hostels offer day trips to nearby Paradise Valley, a secret oasis in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains on the Tamraght River that includes magnificent waterfalls and freshwater pools flanked by limestone cliffs.

For the cultural-minded Taghazout also offers the first Argan museum in the world, The Argan Centre tells the story of Argan and how the trees carry ecological, social, and human values. Or for those who want a day away from the water’s edge try Taghazout’s Skatepark, where concrete waves and plenty of pipes sit on the hillside above the town.

Taghazout Bay Resort

Taghazout Bay Resort is a 615-hectare site offering seven luxury, four to five star hotels, a holiday village, golf course and a shopping mall. The area has been named “an environmentally and friendly destination”, and was the first destination along the coast of Morocco to be labelled eco-responsible and internationally certified as a Well HQE Development.

The resort provides a harmonious integration, preserving the environment and natural resources by promoting the landscape and urban integration, sustainable behaviours and preserving water resources, ecosystems, and biodiversity.

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Essaouira is one of Morocco’s best known port towns, boasting a fabulous beach and plenty of water sports, it is a well-known and popular location for kite and wind surfing enthusiasts. Located just three hours west of Marrakech, Essaouira is a great place to visit and certainly not limited to just water sports’ enthusiasts. The attractive port town is an interesting place to explore, and the beautiful sandy beach makes it a popular location for families.

Essaouira’s geographical location on the Atlantic coast and experiencing the northeast trade wind, create fabulous conditions for kite and windsurfing and the temperate climate means that it is always several degrees cooler than inland making it the perfect year-round destination.

The port town has a small medina in its very heart, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, there are many beautiful buildings which are architecturally very significant with its stunning mix of Portuguese and Andalusian buildings. Essaouira is a beautiful place to wander around and discover its cats colony, the art galleries, boutiques and cafes ending with a fantastic meal at one of the many excellent seafood restaurants located around the busy harbour, with its Sqala, shooting location of Game of Thrones’ Red City of Astapor.

Beach life Essaouira

Essaouira boasts a 2km sandy beach to the south of the medina with a wide paved promenade across the entire stretch, with plentiful food and ice-cream stalls. The beach is shallow and very wide and sandy, making it perfect for families with young children. There is also a play area with trampolines and at the end of the beach tourists can take a camel or horse ride or jump on a quad bike.

Along the beach there are numerous surf schools, which is one of the main pastimes in Essaouira.

Known as the ‘windy city’ of Africa, Essaouira is one of the best places in the world for kite surfing and has many kite surfing schools. The sport demands quite high fitness levels and will take several lessons for beginners to get the hang of it, but then the feeling of skimming over the waves is one not to be missed. All kite surfers wear a full harness and the more experienced show off their jumps and freestyle moves across the waves. Some of the better-known kite surfing schools provide traditional surfing and stand-up paddle boarding sessions as well. All schools will speak English, French, Spanish and Arabic.

The best time of the year to go kite surfing is in July when the wind speed reaches 35 km per hour, this tends to drop in September.

Sidi Kaouki

For those looking to explore further afield and for a low-key trip, head to Sidi Kaouki, only 30 minutes away. This sleepy village is worth a visit and is popular with surfers. There is a long, wide beach and is rapidly getting the reputation for one of the best surf spots in Morocco, helped by the Atlantic swells experienced in this area.

There is also horse and camel riding beachside and for those that can tear themselves away from the Atlantic swells, there is the chance to spot flamingos in the local river.

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El Jadida

Formerly known as Mazagan until the turn of the 19th century, El Jadida is an Atlantic port city 90km southwest of Casablanca. It is a stylish and beautiful town, famous for its old Portuguese Citadel, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The main attraction is the Manueline style Portuguese cistern, an impressive underground water reservoir, which was the chiaroscuro decor and shooting location of the 1950’s Orson Wells’ Othello film.

The beach here is very popular with overseas and Moroccan tourists alike, especially in the summer when the bars and restaurants are buzzing. For those who like water sport, the ocean here is quite lively and offers the perfect conditions for windsurfing, kitesurfing, surfing or bodyboarding, but for the others who are in search of idleness, El Jadida main beach, also called Deauville beach, is the perfect place for sunbathing, long walks on its vast shore or camel and horseback riding.

Sidi Bouzid is 5km south of El Jadida and is annually ranked among the prestigious “Blue Flag” beaches for its high quality and high environmental standards. Additionally, the beach provides an international standard point break for surfers, with its regular, fast and powerful wave being ranked among the top ten in the world. When the wind conditions are right, the beach also becomes popular with kite and windsurfers alike.

Oualidia

Nearly 80km south of El Jadida is the lagoon area of Oualidia, a very picturesque resort which is famous for its Japanese oysters. Morocco’s first oyster farm was launched here in 1957 and nowadays it harvests some two hundred tonnes a year.

However, it is also a very popular beach resort and is excellent for surfing and windsurfing which is very safe as the ocean swell comes through a small gap in the lagoon, creating even waves for beginners to learn. On the other side of the lagoon, experienced surfers can take advantage of the strong conditions of the Atlantic Ocean, especially at the famous spot “Les Tomates” located near the tomatoes farm (15km south).

The area is also teeming with bird life, the area is an oasis for flamingos, herons and storks. There are several restaurants on the beachfront, famous for serving some of the best seafood in the area.

Safi

About 150km north of Marrakech is the port town of Safi. It is not one of Morocco’s better known tourist areas, but it is certainly worth a visit, not just for the beach life, the area is also famous for being inhabited for more than 300,000 years by Homo sapiens of lower palaeolithic, in Jbel Irhoud (80km southeast of the city) and of course its ceramics. Safi has a pottery quarter, which boasts some of the oldest pottery kilns in Morocco, where local crafts people create ceramics using the same methods that have been used for centuries. The National Ceramics Museum is also in Safi and houses some of the finest examples of Safi pottery in Morocco.

Perhaps one of the best-known buildings in Safi is the Kechla, which is an old Portuguese fortress – it is not open to the public but there are plenty of guides to show visitors around the outside and point out the stunning views over Safi. The Medina is also worth a visit and is full of winding alleyways and colourful street art.

The beaches at Safi are a big draw to visitors with Lalla Fatna probably the most famous beach of the city. Some say that Safi’s beaches have the most beautiful waves on the planet, benefitting from the powerful winds of the Atlantic coast. The wave at Safi even has a name; ‘Garden’, which is the most powerful roller of Morocco, at Ras Lefaa Point. It’s a tube of several hundred meters and several well- known surfers have been able to travel it for at least 15 seconds. For less accomplished surfers or those who want to brush up on their technique there are several surf schools at Safi.

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