When is the best time to kitesurf in Essaouira? A month-by-month wind guide

The season runs from mid-February to the end of December and the bay is windy almost all year. Here is what each part of the year actually feels like on the water.

Essaouira has a nickname — the Windy City — and it is earned. The kitesurf season here starts in mid-February and runs to the end of December, which is a longer window than almost anywhere in Europe.

Spring: February to May

The season opens. Wind becomes reliable through March and April, the water is cool enough for a full wetsuit, and the town is quiet before the summer crowds. A good period if you want space on the water and lower prices on flights.

Summer: June to August

The strongest and most consistent months. The trade winds blow hard and regularly, often building through the afternoon. This is peak season for experienced riders, and it is also when the town is busiest — book accommodation early. Beginners still learn well here because lessons are timed to the calmer part of the day.

Autumn: September to November

Many riders consider this the sweet spot. The wind is still good but less relentless than midsummer, the water is at its warmest, and the swell starts to return for the surfers. If you want to combine kite and surf in one trip, this is the window to aim for.

December and the winter pause

The season runs to the end of December before the quietest weeks of the year. Winter still delivers windy days, but they are less predictable, and this is when the surf takes over as the main attraction.

Practical planning

• For your first ever kite lessons: spring or autumn, when conditions are steady but not overpowering
• For strong reliable wind: June to August
• For kite plus surf in the same trip: September to November
• For quiet beaches and cheap flights: February to April

Whatever month you choose, our lessons are scheduled around the day's conditions rather than a fixed timetable — and if the wind does not show, the session is rescheduled at no cost.