Coast & Desert Days
Sidi Kaouki Beach Day Trip from Marrakech
A wild, windswept surf beach south of Essaouira, with camels on the sand.
- Duration
- Long full day (11–12 hours)
- Price
- From 45 EUR / 480 MAD
- Group size
- Private or small group (2–12)
- Difficulty
- Easy — flat beach walking
Reply within 2 hours · Private or shared · Pay after we confirm your spot
Overview
Sidi Kaouki is what Essaouira looked like before the tour buses arrived: a scattering of buildings around a long, wind-scoured Atlantic beach, a whitewashed marabout shrine on the headland, and little else. It is a genuine detour rather than a quick stop — a further 25 minutes south of Essaouira itself — which makes it a long day from Marrakech, but for wide open sand, camels, wind and simple seafood, it is one of the wildest coastal days on offer.
The drive to Sidi Kaouki repeats the Essaouira route across the argan plains before continuing south along the coast road, for a total of around three and a half hours each way. It is a genuinely long day, so this trip suits travellers who want the beach itself more than time in Essaouira's medina.
The beach is the point: several kilometres of firm sand backed by dunes, usually with a stiff Atlantic wind that makes it one of Morocco's best kitesurfing and windsurfing spots, alongside horse and camel rides along the shore. The small hilltop shrine of Sidi Kaouki gives the beach its name and its best viewpoint.
Facilities are simple — a handful of guesthouses, surf schools and beach shacks serving grilled sardines and other fresh catch, nothing more. It rewards travellers happy to trade polish for space and wind, and pairs naturally with a shorter stop in Essaouira's medina on the way there or back if time allows.
Highlights
- A vast, empty Atlantic beach with none of Essaouira's crowds
- Camels resting and walking on the sand
- A whitewashed hilltop shrine watching over the bay
- Simple, fresh seafood shacks right on the beach road
Your day, hour by hour
A typical trip runs about Long full day (11–12 hours). Timings flex with the season, traffic and whether you go private or shared — here is the usual shape of the day:
- 7:00
Early pickup
Head west across the argan plains toward the coast.
- 9:30
Essaouira (brief stop)
A short pause in or near the medina if time allows.
- 10:15
Arrive Sidi Kaouki
Reach the beach; camel and horse rides available on the sand.
- 11:00
Beach time
Walk the shore, watch kitesurfers, or simply enjoy the wind and space.
- 13:00
Seafood lunch
Grilled fish or sardines at a beach shack.
- 14:30
More beach time
Continue walking, riding or relaxing before the drive back.
- 16:00
Long drive back
Return to Marrakech, arriving in the evening.
What's included & what's not
Included
- Air-conditioned vehicle and driver
- Hotel/riad pickup and drop-off
- Fuel, tolls and parking
- Bottled water
Not included
- Lunch and drinks
- Camel or horse rides on the beach
- Surf or kitesurf lessons and equipment hire
- Tips
What to bring
- A warm windbreaker — Sidi Kaouki is genuinely windy
- Swimwear if you plan to get in the water
- Sun protection
- Cash for lunch and beach activities
- A change of clothes — sand and wind get everywhere
Who this trip suits
- Surf, kitesurf and windsurf enthusiasts
- Travellers wanting an empty beach over a busy one
- Photographers after wild Atlantic light and camels on sand
- Those happy to trade a long drive for a wilder coast
Maybe not for you if: Anyone unwilling to spend seven hours in the car round trip, or wanting Essaouira's medina as the main event — for that, take the standard Essaouira day trip.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Sidi Kaouki from Marrakech?
About 220 km, roughly three and a half hours each way, since it lies a further 25 km south of Essaouira. It makes for a long day, so this trip is best for travellers who prioritise the beach itself over medina time.
Why is Sidi Kaouki popular with surfers?
Its long, exposed beach catches a strong, reliable Atlantic wind and swell, making it one of Morocco's best spots for kitesurfing, windsurfing and beginner surf lessons, generally calmer and less crowded than Essaouira's town beach.
Can I combine Sidi Kaouki with Essaouira?
Yes, though it makes for a very full day — most itineraries allow only a brief pause in Essaouira on the way through rather than the full medina experience offered by the standalone Essaouira day trip.
Are camel rides available at Sidi Kaouki?
Yes, camel and horse handlers work the beach, offering rides along the sand, usually paid directly on the day. It is quieter and less commercial than the camel rides sometimes offered on Essaouira's town beach.