Morocco surf guide
Surfing Sidi Kaouki
A quiet village on an open beach south of Essaouira
- Spots2
- LevelsAdvanced, Beginner, Intermediate
- Best seasonOct-Apr
- RegionEssaouira
The waves at Sidi Kaouki
Sidi Kaouki
- Beach Break
- Beginner / Intermediate
- 1-6 ft
- Oct-Apr
- Crowd 2/5
Sidi Kaouki is a long, open beach in a small village south of Essaouira, with lefts and rights along the sand and some rocks. It's more exposed than Essaouira, so it gets more swell.
It works at most tides and suits beginners and improvers on smaller days. The wind is strong for much of the year, so mornings are best. The village is quiet, with a few guesthouses and cafés and camels on the beach.
31.351, -9.797 · NW swell, light morning wind
Cap Sim
- Reef Break
- Advanced
- 2-8 ft
- Year-round
- Crowd 3/5
Cap Sim is a reef break on the headland a couple of kilometres north of Sidi Kaouki. It's harder than the beach, with a tricky entry and exit over the rocks.
It's best at mid tide while the tide is dropping. A small crew of local surfers knows it well, so give them space. Check it from the cliff before paddling out.
31.39, -9.84 · NW swell, NE wind, falling mid tide
Beyond the surf
- Sidi Kaouki marabout: The small white shrine on the rocks that gives the village its name.
Getting to Sidi Kaouki and around Essaouira
Essaouira has a small airport (ESU) with a few European routes. Most people come by bus from Marrakech or Agadir, about 3 hours either way.
- Supratours / CTM bus ($8-12): Comfortable intercity buses to the station near the medina. Board bags pay a small extra fee in the luggage hold.
- Grand taxi ($15-20): Shared or private taxis run the 25 km to Sidi Kaouki. Agree the price first; shared taxis leave when full.
- Rental car ($25-40/day): Useful for checking Sidi Kaouki, Cap Sim and the beaches further south. The medina is car-free; park outside the walls.
Before you go
Booking: Riads in the medina fill up at Easter, Christmas and during the Gnaoua music festival in June.
Money: ATMs are in the medina and new town. Cash is needed in Sidi Kaouki.
Health: The wind is strong most afternoons, especially from April to September. Surf in the morning.
Avoid: Don't expect good surf in summer: it's kite season. Cap Sim is a rocky reef for experienced surfers only.
Best time to surf Sidi Kaouki
Sidi Kaouki works best around Oct-Apr. See the full month-by-month breakdown for Morocco.
A week here costs from about $264 with flights from Europe, or around $947 travelling comfortably. See other surf trips under $500 →
Sidi Kaouki: common questions
When is the best time to surf Sidi Kaouki?
Sidi Kaouki works best from October to April. By spot: Sidi Kaouki, October to April; Cap Sim, year-round.
Is Sidi Kaouki good for beginners?
Partly. Sidi Kaouki suits beginners; the other spots are better for intermediate and advanced surfers.
What kind of waves are there at Sidi Kaouki?
We map 2 spots at Sidi Kaouki: beach break (1), reef break (1).
How do you get to Sidi Kaouki?
Essaouira has a small airport (ESU) with a few European routes. Most people come by bus from Marrakech or Agadir, about 3 hours either way.
Do I need cash in Sidi Kaouki?
ATMs are in the medina and new town. Cash is needed in Sidi Kaouki.
Last updated October 2026. Seasons, costs and conditions change, so check the details before you book.
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