Sidi Kaouki

Located 25 kilometres south of Essaouira, the small Berber village of Sidi Kaouki is surrounded by valleys, forests, caves and an incredibly beautiful sea.

If you visit Essaouira and stay for a few days, you should not miss a visit to Sidi Kaouki. This community of fishermen and shepherds owes its name to a late 19th century saint whose grave can be seen at the end of the beach.

Sidi Kaouki, a history

A large abandoned building stands at the northern end of the sandy beach, which has become the signature of Sidi Kaouki. It is in fact the shrine and pilgrimage site of Sidi Kaouki, a 19th century marabout (Muslim religious leader and teacher) who gave his name to the Berber village. To the north of this shrine are rock pools to explore, and to the south is the long sandy strip of beach.

Sidi Kaouki is all about authentic local produce

In addition to fishing and farming, the people of Sidi Kaouki have specialised in the production and sale of high quality natural organic products such as honey, amlou and argan, from which various cosmetics, soaps, shampoos and creams are derived.

The inhabitants of Sidi Kaouki, through organisations such as the Sidi Kaouki Cooperative, the Sidi Kaouki Association of Argan Women and the Mogador of Moroccan Natural Products, produce, develop and sell a wide variety of argan-based products. It is even one of the sources of authentic products supplied to luxury hotels in the Essaouira region.

Things to do in Sidi Kaouki

The main reason for coming to Sidi Kaouki is the beach and surfing. A long crescent of sand (with some sections of pebbles) welcomes you. Most visitors tend to stay near the main entrance to the beach, near the car park and restaurants. If you want to escape the weekend or high season crowds, just walk a little further down the beach. It’s easy enough to find a quiet spot to yourself.

Surf the waves

Surfing is the main activity in Sidi Kaouki, and even a favourite destination for beginner surfers. There are a few surf schools on site if you’re looking for surfing lessons for beginners.

Depending on the weather conditions, it is also possible to kite-surf. But if you just want to have fun and relax, rent a surfboard for the afternoon in one of the surf shops on site.

Quad biking

Sidi Kaouki is known for its vast sandy beaches, dunes and beautiful coastal scenery, making it an ideal location for quad biking.

Quad enthusiasts have the opportunity to explore the surrounding area and enjoy a thrilling experience driving off-road quads through the dunes, sandy tracks and coastal paths. Quad biking tours offer the perfect combination of adventure, breathtaking scenery and thrills.

The beaches of Sidi Kaouki

The sandy beach break, left and right, is very easy to get to. Many beginners surf on the white wash along the coast, and the more experienced surfers find their pleasure on the beautiful waves at the back… For the experienced surfer, this break works best between 0.8 and 2.5m swell with little or no wind. Even better around high tide. Here are the attractions of the three main beaches of Sidi Kaouki.

Maribou Beach

Reef-break, with ripples left and right, good when there is a little swell and not too much wind.

La Grotte Beach

This spot is a few kilometres north of Sidi Kaouki and requires a 4×4 to access or a bit of walking.

This is the beach with the biggest waves in the area, La Grotte has the potential to produce big clean waves suitable for both small and large surfers if they are prepared to play the game!

La Couronne Beach

Great tube waves and a great location, not quite as big as La Grotte, and suitable for intermediate to advanced surfers. A little closer than La Grotte, La Couronne still requires a 4×4 and a walk, or longer walk, to get there.

You can also discover the beaches of Essaouira.

Taste the local food

Next to the main entrance to Sidi Kaouki beach is a row of traditional cafés. All offer the standard Moroccan and Western menu and the same view of the beach.

Be aware that seafood is a speciality in Sidi Kaouki. There’s nothing to really differentiate one from the other, so make your choice based on your choice of restaurant.

Relaxing

Who can blame you for wanting to come to a beach to relax? If you’re going to Sidi Kaouki with your family, enjoy a moment of relaxation on the beach while admiring the place… You can read your book on the sand. You can read your book on the sand. There are chairs and umbrellas for rent on the beach for about 50 Dhs (5 €). If you just want to lay your towel on the sand, it’s free. If you need to find somewhere quieter, keep walking away from the car park.

How do I get to Sidi Kaouki?

If you have your own wheels, and are coming from Essaouira, you can get to Sidi Kaouki in 25 minutes via Diabat and Ghazoua. The roads are not very busy. Once you arrive in Sidi Kaouki, there is a car park right next to the beach.

No taxi

If you don’t have a car, the easiest way to get to Sidi Kaouki from Essaouira is to take a Grand Taxi. You will need to go to the Grand Taxi station, which is next to the main bus station in Essaouira. There is a flat rate of Dhs 15 (less than €2) per person, or Dhs 90 (€9) to book the whole taxi for a single trip (i.e. 6 people maximum). To return to Essaouira, negotiate a pick-up time in advance with your driver, as the drivers will offer this to you on arrival, as you will probably need transport back.

No bus

It is also possible to take a bus from Essaouira to Sidi Kaouki. You can also take a public bus from the Bab Doukkala exit in Essaouira. Go to the “Lima Bus” sign on the right as you leave Bab Doukkala and take the Lima bus, line 2 for Dhs 7 (0.7€) a ticket per person. If you can’t find it, just ask when you arrive at the station and they will show you which bus to take.

Where to stay in Sidi Kaouki?

Auberge De La Plage

With family rooms and a playground, this seaside hotel in Sidi Kaouki is a good option for families. A pleasant atmosphere and hammocks in the garden invite you to take a nice afternoon nap.

Hotel Perla Kaouki

Direct access to the beach and rustic charm make this accommodation the ideal choice for beach lovers.

Dav Mahal Eco lodge

This establishment may be 4km from Sidi Kaouki’s main beach, but it deserves a mention in this guide as it’s pretty special, if only for the stunning views it offers. There is even a hammam and a hot tub on site. It really is the perfect place to get away from it all.