We think the Sidi Kaouki surf is some of the best for beginners in Morocco. On a long, wide beach, there are plenty of individual peaks and a consistent reef section, all stretched out along dune-backed shoes under the gaze of a mystical Sufi tomb. Tempting, eh?
An introduction to surfing in Sidi Kaouki
Sidi Kaouki pops up on the Moroccan coast just 30 clicks south of the kite surfing mecca of Essaouira. It’s one of the rising stars on the country’s surf scene. The main offering is a long, sandy beachfront (not the prettiest) that gets whacked by loads of Atlantic swells. The extreme north end of the shore is the easiest to reach. That’s host to a little reef section that handles some pretty decent and even hollow sections on occasion. The extreme south also holds up well thanks to its rocky floor.
That said, the vast majority of the 2.5-kilometre strand is all section beach breaks. We’re not going to pretend they are the best quality waves in North Africa. They aren’t. In fact, they’re prone to closeouts and get heavily affected by cross-shore winds. On the plus side, they are downright fun and great for beginners looking to progress up the ladder from pure whitewash.
And there’s something else that makes Sidi Kaouki surf a special treat: The setting. Dusty hills and wild dunes frame the beach, while camel caravans groan in silhouette this way and that. The town itself is home to a haunting Sufi tomb that dates to the 1800s, which you can still see crowning the main surf point. It’s also off-the-beaten-track Morocco, so you get that sense of adventure.
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This is a part of our greater guide to surfing Morocco
Sidi Kaouki surf at a glance
Type of wave: Beach and reef break // Level: Beginner and up // Season: Winter
The good:
The bad:
What will I find in this Sidi Kaouki surf guide?
Where is Sidi Kaouki?
Sidi Kaouki is a pint-sized village that sits 30km directly south of Essaouira. You can get there on a local bus, but it’s usually better to haggle for a transfer (Essaouira to Sidi Kaouki usually takes around half an hour on the main road without traffic). That’s particularly true if you’ve got a lot of gear in tow.
Geographically speaking, Sidi Kaouki is on the western edge of southern Morocco. It’s about 4.5 hours from Casablanca via the main coast highway and about 2.5 hours from the medina city of Marrakesh.
A guide to the surf spots in Sidi Kaouki
You only really need to know about the beachfront in Sidi Kaouki. That’s where the vast majority of the surfing is done. It’s the long run of sand right by the town, hosting countless wave peaks for all levels. That’s included below, along with a few of the other, more-challenging breaks in the region.
The north reef
The top end of Sidi Kaouki Beach is the mainstay break for intermediates. Best surfed on mid to high tide, it rolls in over a cluster of rocky pools. They help to give a bit of shape and glassiness to the water and pull the peel right across the headland just below the Sufi shrine. It’s a picturesque spot to surf and the main challenge has to be the take-off, which is deceptively slow (you’ll need some good paddle power to get onto the ride a lot of the time).
Sidi Kaouki Beach
Sidi Kaouki Beach is where the vast majority of surfers in the town will head. This 2.5-kilometre-long length of golden sand is washed by more individual peaks than you can shake a shisha pipe at. There’s no telling what each will look like, but the predominant feel of the sandbanks means heavy right handers. There’s quite a bit of power in the swell during the winter season. Moreover, summer cross-shore winds can chop the lot up to make it virtually un-surfable. Watch out for a few rips. In fact, ask in the local surf schools by the town where is safe before you get in the water – that’s the best way.
La Grotte
Down a dirt track that leads to the north of Sidi Kaouki, La Grotte is among the best-known hardcore breaks in the area. It sits on the rugged Cap Sim headland, where the northern winter swells curl in to offer double overheads with good consistency a lot of the days throughout December and January. The height holds up well at Grotte, which means you can get some decent tube rides in. It’s only really for intermediate and up. Rewards for braving the unpaved road include empty line ups.
When to surf in Sidi Kaouki?
November to April is the best time of all to surf in Sidi Kaouki…
There’s no doubt about it – the winter is the best time to plan a Sidi Kaouki surf trip. Summer winds recede around September and offer still enough conditions for dawn patrols and glassy waves by November time. But it’s not just that. The North Atlantic kicks into action during October. It’s the same engine room that powers the likes of Nazare and La Santa in Lanzarote (which isn’t that far away). It offers north-westerly swell directions that really compliment the lie of the land in Sidi Kaouki. The result? Longer periods, bigger sets, and far more consistency. Being a surf town, you might also find that a lot of things shut up shop for the summer months.
Where to stay in Sidi Kaouki?
Sidi Kaouki has now been officially noticed. That means you can expect the number of surfers in the water to grow, but also the provision of hotels and surf camps. We already have a few we like the best. All of them are within easy walking distance of the main beach…
Auberge De La Plage ($$)
Auberge De La Plage sits just 200 metres from the main surf points in Sidi Kaouki. It’s got a charming garden dotted with willow trees and patio seating areas. There’s also a playground for kids, just in case you were bringing the little ones for a Moroccan surf! The rooms are rustic-chic, with adobe walls and raw wood features. We really love that rooftop terrace with its panoramas of the ocean!
Auberge du Marabout ($$)
You’ll be able to watch the surfers on the waves and the camels trotting across the beach from the huge terrace at Auberge du Marabout – that is, so long as you’re not too busy sunning yourself or lost in a book! The point is, the location is perfect for a surf trip to Sidi Kaouki. Rooms are simple but comfy with lovely tiled bathrooms and a cosy communal dining-lounging space.
Dar Iziki ($)
There’s only a handful of rooms in Dar Iziki, but that helps add a little personality to the hospitality. It also means you should find it easier to meet and mingle with other surf travelers at the communal pool or in the breezy gardens. The location is a little further from the waves than the hotels above, but still only a short stroll for those morning patrols.
Surf camps in Sidi Kaouki
As with hotels, there are now some very good surf camps in Sidi that are worth considering if you’re coming here to ride the waves. There still aren’t the number you get in Tamraght and Taghazout but count that as a blessing – there are fewer people competing for the same waves. Generally speaking, we’d say the offering of camps here is really well suited to beginners and families, especially given how close you are to Essaouira. Here are our picks:
- 3 Day Budget Yoga and Surf Camp in Holy Surf Maroc – Holy Surf Camp is one of the best in the country. They do packages run by BF1 instructors that really home in on technique but never lose touch of the chilled vibes you want when hitting Morocco. This four-day package includes daily lessons and yoga in the evening.
- 4 Day Sidi Kaouki Surf Camp at Smaylo Surf School – A super-chilled surf camp that we’ve seen do excellently taking people from starter level to surfing green waves in just four days, conditions allowing. The pad is nice, has a pool. The instructors are fantastic.
Want more options? Check out our complete guide to the best surf camps in Morocco for 2023.
Step-by-step guide to planning your Sidi Kaouki surf trip right now
Step one: Book flights to the Sidi Kaouki surf…Lately, we like Omio for searching flights. It’s a nice interface and has lots of airline options. We also use Skyscanner because that sometimes offers deals that even beat going direct to the carrier!
Step two: Book your surf camp. Book Surf Camps is the numero uno online booking platform for fully-fledged surf-stay packages on the internet right now. Then there’s Booking.com. That has consistently unbeatable rates for hotels and a nifty map feature that lets you check EXACTLY how close your hotel is to a surf break.
Step three: Rent a car. If you’re surf camping then you might not need wheels. If you’re not then we’ll just say this: We’ve never been on a surf trip that wasn’t improved by having our own car. Use RentalCars – they’re the best.
Step four: Enjoy!
Surf shops and surf rental in Sidi Kaouki
Sidi Kaouki is still a relative newcomer on the Moroccan surf scene. It’s now got its fair share of surf schools (some of them good; others not so good). However, fully-fledged surf shops haven’t yet arrived in earnest. Still, we can recommend the following if you’re struggling for hardware…
Sidi Kaouki Surf Station
The Sidi Kaouki Surf Station is probably the most established surf name in the town. It’s housed in a large, double-storey building right on the seafront (home to a nice café upstairs). There are racks and racks of rental boards, which are mainly used for the regular stream of surf schools that come through. But you can also buy the basics – rashies, wax, etc.
Gipsy Surfer Surf Shop
You’ll need to head back to the main town of Essaouira (as mentioned above, Essaouira to Sidi Kaouki is around 0.5 hours in the car) to find this cool little surf outlet. It’s hidden in the midst of the white-painted medina, offering everything from sandals to rash vests to pop-out boards. There are sometimes even local surf forecasts on display if you’re struggling to get an update on conditions.
Kaouki Surf School
Not strictly a shop, the Kaouki Surf School is one of the friendliest spots in town. It’s run by a French-Moroccan couple who seem to have an unstoppable smile on their face the whole time. There’s not much for sale (apart from great lessons and cheap board rentals) but they’re usually happy to help if you have any questions about the Sidi Kaouki surf spots and whatnot.
Where to eat in Sidi Kaouki
La Trattoria
There’s an attempt to fuse Italian and Moroccan cuisine onto the same card at La Trattoria. So, prep for fresh tomato salads with herbs (that’s the Moroccan part) and all sorts of tomato pastas and pizzas (that’s the Italian). The main draw isn’t the food, though – it’s the setting. This eatery sits literally a stone’s throw from where the waves of the north reef roll into shore.
Sidi Kaouki Surf Station
Casual eats and good breakfasts are the name of the game in the top-floor eatery of the Sidi Kaouki Surf Station. The menu changes regularly, but you can usually expect a mix of fast food and more creative couscous and Spanish-influenced tapas. Whatever you pick, the sweeping 180-degree view of the whole of Siki Kaouki Beach is sure to keep you going!
Things to do when you’re not surfing in Sidi Kaouki
You might have come for the Sidi Kaouki surf, but don’t forget that you’re in an awesome part of Morocco. You’ll want to set aside some time without the board so you can explore. A few of our suggestions would be…
Visit Essaouira
Essaouira is considered by many to be one of the most amazing cities in the country. It’s ringed by great walls raised by the Portuguese in the 1500s and has wide streets threaded with cafes and cannons. It’s hailed as the most European of destinations in Morocco, thanks to its bars and European-style architecture. There’s also a lovely urban beach that’s great for kitesurfing in the summer. You’ll find that just to the south of the main entrance.
Horse riding
Sidi Kaouki has become a hotspot for horse riding in recent years. The local dune landscapes and their argan groves provide the perfect place to saddle up and gallop around the Moroccan shores. Local outfitters and even some of the Sidi Kaouki surf schools offer packages and beginner lessons. Choose them if you’d prefer to be shown the main bridle trails in the area.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
