Kitesurf or surf in Essaouira — which should you start with?

One needs wind, the other needs waves, and they reward very different amounts of patience. A straight comparison to help you pick before you book.

Essaouira is one of very few places where you can genuinely choose. The bay gets reliable wind and rideable waves for most of the year, so the decision comes down to you rather than the forecast.

Start with surf if you have a short trip

Surfing gives you a result on day one. Almost every beginner stands up in whitewater during their first or second session, and you need nothing but a board, a wetsuit and a wave. If you have two or three days in Essaouira and want to actually ride something, surf is the safer bet.

Start with kitesurf if you have a week

Kitesurfing takes longer to reach the first ride — usually 8 to 12 hours of coaching — but the ceiling is much higher and the season is longer. If you have a week and you want a sport you will keep coming back for, kitesurfing is the better investment of your time.

The practical differences

• Surf needs swell, kitesurf needs wind — Essaouira usually has both, but not always on the same day
• Surf lessons run in shallow water; kitesurf involves deeper water and more equipment
• Surf is cheaper per hour; kitesurf includes far more gear
• Surf is easier on the body; kitesurf is easier on the shoulders once you are in the harness

Or do both

Plenty of our camp students split their week: surf on the light mornings, kite in the afternoon when the wind fills in. That is the honest advantage of learning here rather than somewhere with only one of the two.

If you cannot decide, tell us your dates. We look at the forecast for your week and suggest the split that will get you the most water time.