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Spot · tier 1 · Morocco
Sidi Kaouki
A long, open sandy beach about 25km south of Essaouira with stronger, more consistent wind than the main bay and a genuine beach-break/reef wave, split into named sub-spots (La Grotte, La Couronne, La Bouteille) along the coast. It's a favorite with wave-hungry kiters and surfers wanting more power and swell than Essaouira offers, set in a much quieter village.
wavesintermediateadvancedfreeride
Wind
| best months |
|
|---|---|
| season notes | Windy essentially year-round (roughly 225+ days a year over 12kt), with the best and most reliable window April-October. |
| avg knots | 16-25 |
| wind name | same trade-wind system as Essaouira, generally stronger due to more open exposure |
| direction to shore | cross-offshore/side-shore, broadly offshore for the wave breaks |
| quality | steady, stronger than Essaouira Bay |
| typical kite sizes | 8-11m |
Water
| type | waves |
|---|---|
| temp summer c | 19-21 |
| temp winter c | 16-17 |
| wetsuit | 3/2 for most of the season, boardshorts at the peak of summer |
| tides | the named wave sub-spots (La Grotte, Cap Sim reef) change significantly with tide - check locally |
| currents | rips typical of an open beach break, plus rocks in places |
| standing depth | broad sandy beach with a shallow shorebreak in parts |
Levels
| beginner | no |
|---|---|
| intermediate | yes |
| advanced | yes |
| notes | Better suited to intermediate-and-up riders comfortable in waves and stronger wind; beginners are better served at Essaouira Bay |
Launch & crowd
| description | Long open sandy beach in front of the village with plenty of space to rig away from the surf lineup |
|---|---|
| rescue | Limited - a smaller, less commercial spot than Essaouira Bay |
| busy months |
|
| vibe | quieter, more laid-back village than Essaouira, popular with surfers and wave-focused kiters |
Monthly wind statistics
Station: Essaouira (Weather Spark, ~17.3 km) — Windfinder's own Sidi Kaouki windstatistics page says 'No statistical weather data available' and lists Essaouira (~18.3 km) as the nearest station with data, consistent with the ~17 km used here; used Weather Spark's Essaouira reanalysis as fallback. known_best_months extends into Oct locally, one month past what the Essaouira-town data alone would suggest.
| Month | Wind ≥4 Bft | Avg kn | Dir | Air °C | Water °C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | —% | 9.6 | N | 14.4 | 17.2 |
| Feb | —% | 10.3 | N | 15 | 16.7 |
| Mar | —% | 10.6 | N | 16.7 | 16.7 |
| Apr | —% | 11.4 | N | 17.8 | 17.2 |
| May | —% | 11.8 | N | 18.9 | 17.8 |
| Jun | —% | 12.3 | N | 20.6 | 18.9 |
| Jul | —% | 12.9 | N | 21.7 | 20 |
| Aug | —% | 11.9 | N | 22.2 | 20.6 |
| Sep | —% | 10.3 | N | 21.7 | 20.6 |
| Oct | —% | 9.5 | N | 20.6 | 20 |
| Nov | —% | 9.7 | N | 17.8 | 18.9 |
| Dec | —% | 9.8 | N | 15.6 | 17.8 |
Hazards
- Rocks in the water in places, noted by surf reports
- Rip currents typical of an exposed beach break
- Stronger, gustier wind than Essaouira - not beginner-forgiving
Rules
- No formal kite zones, but be aware of surfers sharing the lineup at the wave sub-spots
Tips
- Head to the named sub-spots (La Grotte, La Couronne, La Bouteille) for the best wave shape depending on swell and tide
- Bring a wave-oriented board suited to chop and swell rather than a pure freestyle board
- Good base for day trips to both Essaouira and Moulay Bouzerktoun
Travel basics
| airport | ESU Essaouira-Mogador Airport, roughly 35-45 min drive |
|---|---|
| getting there | Taxi or grand-taxi south from Essaouira along the coast road (about 25km) |
| accommodation | Guesthouses, kite/surf camps and simple hotels in the village |
| cost level | budget-mid |
| no wind | Surfing, horse-riding on the beach, day trip into the Essaouira medina |
Nearby: The Cave (La Grotte, Cap Sim), Moulay Bouzerktoun, Essaouira Bay (Main Beach)
Sources: en.wikipedia.org · kitejungle.com · surf-forecast.com