Why is Essaouira one of the best places in the world to learn kitesurfing?

Spot & season

Why is Essaouira one of the best places in the world to learn kitesurfing?

A wide sandy bay, side-shore wind almost every day, and a town you actually want to spend the evening in. What makes this spot work for beginners.

There are windier places and warmer places, but very few combine the conditions, the safety and the setting the way this bay does. Here is what makes it work specifically for people who are learning.

A forgiving bay

The main beach is wide, sandy and shallow a long way out. There is no reef, no rocks in the learning area, and plenty of room to make mistakes — which beginners do constantly, and should. A big empty beach is an underrated teaching asset.

Wind that behaves

The bay gets side-shore wind for most of the season. Side-shore is the ideal direction for learning: it carries you along the beach rather than out to sea or into the sand. Combined with the length of the season, it means lessons rarely get cancelled.

Space to progress

Once you can ride, the bay opens up, and there are spots a short drive away for when you want flatter water or more swell. You do not outgrow the place after a week.

The part nobody mentions

Essaouira is a genuinely good town. A UNESCO-listed medina, a working fishing port, food that is worth planning an evening around, and a walkable centre ten minutes from the beach. When the wind drops — and it does — you are not stuck in a resort with nothing to do.

Getting here is easy

  • Essaouira has its own small airport
  • Marrakesh Menara is about 2.5 hours by road
  • Agadir Al Massira is about 2.5 hours by road
  • Airport transfers are included in all our camps

Add multilingual instructors and equipment that is renewed every season, and you have a place where a complete beginner can go from never having flown a kite to riding independently inside a week.

Start planning on the NaneaKite home page, or go straight to our kitesurf and surf camps in Essaouira to compare lengths and prices.

Ready to get on the water?

Tell us your dates and we will put together the right lessons or camp for your level.

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Excellent Based on 303 reviews Google
Giulia Battini a week ago

First surfing experience, and it was truly amazing. The instructor was incredibly knowledgeable and, above all, very patient with us, even though we were just beginners. Surfing in the ocean in Essaouira, especially in February, was truly captivating and an experience I'd repeat. We paid €30 for an hour, which I think was fair. Highly recommended!

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Graeme Carlyle a week ago

A huge thanks to the guys at NaneaKite school! I made great progress on my water starts with their excellent coaching.

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Alex Weissgerber a week ago

Abdou and his team are simply amazing! I had a wonderful week at the kite camp and made great progress quickly thanks to the highly competent and always cheerful instructors. I highly recommend it to everyone. I'll definitely be back and I'm already looking forward to seeing you all again!

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juan cruz calderon a week ago

It was our first time experiencing the surfing in Esaaouira when we found Nenea walking around the city. With the first approach we’ve felt already that there was a really good vibe from the other side and really honest with us. They weren’t trying to sell us their course, they were actually trying to give us the best experience. So we decided to book the class for the next day when there was better swell to have a better surfing experience. We had the class with Hasan who stayed always attentive and very helpful giving us good advices. It was my second surf class and he spotted exactly where I could improve and what I was getting wrong from the very first moment. Next time I’m around Essaouira I’d definitely contact the guys in order to keep enjoying with very nice people around.

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Maxime LO BONO 2 weeks ago

Wonderful experience of both Kitesurf and Surf. Abdou and his team make you at home and adapt perfectly to the weather conditions. Everything from the Ryad to classes are perfectly organised. Special thanks to Amine my kitesurf teacher! He has amazing teaching skills, patience and speaks all the necessary languages to adapt to you. Thanks again for making me ride for the 1st time with a kite! I recommend a 100% eyes closed!

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