Why the bay is windy almost every afternoon, why mornings are often calmer, and how to read a forecast so you know what your day will look like.
Understanding why Essaouira is windy makes it much easier to plan your days here — and to know whether the forecast you are reading actually means a good session.
The trade winds
The dominant wind on this coast comes from the north and north-east and blows for most of the season. It is steady rather than gusty, which is exactly what you want when you are learning: the kite sits in the window and stays there instead of surging.
The thermal effect
On top of the trades, the land heats up through the day while the Atlantic stays cool. Warm air rises inland, cooler sea air rushes in to replace it, and the wind strengthens. This is why so many days here follow the same shape: calm morning, building midday, strong afternoon.
What that means for your day
- Mornings: lighter wind, cleaner water — best for surf and for first kite lessons on land
- Early afternoon: the wind fills in — the usual slot for water sessions
- Late afternoon: strongest, best for confident riders
- Evening: it often drops again
Reading a forecast
Look at direction as well as strength. Side-shore is what you want in the bay. A forecast showing 15 to 20 knots side-shore is a better learning day than 25 knots from an awkward angle. Also check the gust spread — a small gap between average and gust means smooth, predictable wind.
When it does not blow
It happens. The bay is windy most days but not every day, and this is why our lessons are scheduled around conditions rather than a fixed clock. A session that cannot run is moved to another day of your stay, or swapped for surf if you would rather be on the water than waiting.
If you are booking a camp and want the strongest odds of wind, aim for June to August. For a balance of wind and warm water, September and October are hard to beat.
Every one of our kitesurf camps in Essaouira is scheduled around these wind patterns. Find out more about the school and its lessons on the NaneaKite home page.
Ready to get on the water?
Tell us your dates and we will put together the right lessons or camp for your level.
